recent posts
- When Outside Pressure Comes Between LGBTQ+ Couples
- Waiting for the Back to School Fights to Start? Helping Without Taking Over
- You’re Not Responsible for Everything You Care About
- When the House Gets Quiet, the Marriage Gets Loud
- Parenting a High-Achieving Teen Without Adding More Anxiety- For Either of You!
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When You Feel More Tired Than Angry Many couples who come to see me do not describe a dramatic breaking point. They say things like, “We’re fine… I guess. We’re just tired all the time, and it doesn’t feel like it used to.” No one is throwing plates or storming out. Instead, there is a quiet distance that has slowly settled in between them. Relationship problems do not always announce themselves with one huge event. More often, the strain builds slowly through repetition, avoidance, and the exhaustion of living real life together. New research suggests people may wait an average…
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When the Cost of Being the Reliable One is too High You texted a coworker back mid-presentation because you knew they needed the answer before the client. You hit hot yoga at 6am, volunteered at the PTA by 9, and still cleared your inbox before noon. You flagged the account issue before the client even noticed—again. You stayed late, said yes, followed up, and made it look easy. From the outside, you’re absolutely crushing it. Your friends aspire to be like you, coworkers looks up to you, and your spouse says “I don’t know how she does it”. You’re not…
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And the old-school psychology trick to replace them with This is one of my most unpopular opinions as a therapist. If your motivation has felt flat lately, your phone’s inspiration folders may be part of the reason. Pinterest, Instagram, dream journals, vision boards — the very tools most people use to build motivation are quietly working against it. You know the scroll. Someone’s home is perfectly organized. Someone else just hit their goal weight. Another person’s morning routine looks like a wellness retreat. Their vision board became their life. Their dream journal is color-coded. And somehow you end up feeling…
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You don’t look like a struggling couple. You both work. The bills get paid. The kids are fed. From the outside, everything looks stable. You’re friends may even label you the aspirational couple of the group. But together at home: High-functioning ADHD marriages don’t usually look like a crisis. There’s no yelling. No obvious toxicity. Nothing that would make an outsider say “they need help.” That’s what makes it so insidious. What builds instead is a quiet accumulation of unsaid frustrations, small disappointments that never quite get addressed, needs that go unspoken because it doesn’t feel worth the argument, distance…
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The holidays can intensify relationship stress due to family expectations, financial pressures, and unresolved issues. Relational self-awareness, as described by Dr. Alexandra Solomon, encourages couples to explore their emotional responses and past holiday experiences. This approach can foster understanding and communication, helping partners navigate seasonal challenges and strengthen their bond.
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Do you ever wake up with a heavy sense of dread when you think about work?You’re not alone. Many high-achieving professionals, parents, and couples struggle with feeling stuck in routines that pay the bills but leave them unfulfilled. Over time, that disconnection shows up as anxiety, stress, and even relationship strain. This is where the Japanese concept of ikigai can provide direction. Okinawa, Japan has one of the largest populations of centenarians in the world, and they use the concept of ikigai to define their purpose What Is Ikigai? Ikigai means “reason for being” It’s visualized as the overlap of…
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It’s a simple truth that cuts deeper than most of us want to admit. You can be successful, healthy, and accomplished on paper — but if your closest relationships are disconnected, tense, or lifeless, the cracks will eventually show everywhere else. Relationships are not an accessory to life. They are life. Love and desire don’t play by the same rules Love thrives on safety, stability, and closeness. Desire thrives on mystery, space, and the unknown.We crave both — but they pull us in opposite directions. This is the paradox of desire: the same comfort that makes us feel secure can…
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As retirement approaches, many individuals find themselves standing at a crossroads. The years dedicated to work and to fulfilling the expectations of others often lead to profound questions. How do you want to spend this significant chapter of your life? For most, it’s a time of concern about what lies ahead, grappling with worries about aging, finances, and purpose. But what if retirement could be your opportunity to redefine your identity and prioritize your values? This comprehensive guide offers insights into acknowledging anxieties, embracing courageous decisions, and aligning your new lifestyle with what truly matters. In this blog post, we’ll…
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It’s easy to believe that avoiding conflict keeps the peace. Research shows the opposite. Dr. John Gottman, a leading marriage researcher, found that couples who avoid addressing conflict are more likely to build up resentment, criticism, and emotional distance over time. What looks like harmony on the surface often masks deeper disconnection. Esther Perel, renowned couples therapist and author, reminds us that conflict isn’t the problem, disconnection is. When partners avoid conflict, they avoid growth. Sweeping things under the rug may feel safer in the moment, but it silently erodes trust and intimacy. Conflict doesn’t have to mean shouting or…
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Doctors are trained to put patients first , but that often means your own mental health gets pushed to the bottom of the list. Long hours, high stakes, and constant responsibility take a toll. Why Doctors Struggle in Silence Signs It’s More Than “Just Stress” What Helps Doctors Protect Their Mental Health The Bottom Line You don’t have to burn out to prove your dedication. Taking care of your mental health isn’t just about you — it’s about sustaining the career and relationships that matter most. 👉 If you’re a doctor in Texas looking for support, [book a session] or…