Mary Jo Rapini, LPC - Articles

Articles by Mary Jo

Relationships, Parenting, and Emotional Wellness

The Best Holiday Gift isn’t an Object but an Experience

The Best Holiday Gift isn’t an Object but an Experience

Ribbons, wrappings, and bows are beautiful, but once you open the package and see the gift the moment of sheer happiness is short-lived. Psychology research has shown that experiences bring more happiness than possessions. Anticipation of the experience brings joy to the giver as well as the receiver of the gift. Sharing experiences is also better for your mental health. They’re associated with your values, effort, ability to connect, and good old-fashioned social interaction

5 Reasons to Practice Gratitude

5 Reasons to Practice Gratitude

As we watch random shootings, fires, and other catastrophes happening all over the world, it’s easy to forget to give thanks for what we have. It’s much easier to become fearful and resentful. With so many people showing off photoshopped and filtered lives on social media, it’s easier to become jealous and envious. Money has become all powerful – promising that one more product or makeover is going to be the key to our happiness. When you work day and night to make ends, it’s

Couples’ Survival Tips for Thanksgiving

Couples’ Survival Tips for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the greatest holidays in the year. All you have to do is come together with family and friends, eat, share, and give thanks. Sometimes, though, the gathering of friends and family is stressful for couples. Meeting family expectations without neglecting or ignoring your partner can be difficult. Below are tips to help you and your partner feel supported and appreciated. If you’re traveling, keep the mood light. Depending on whose family you’re visiting,

Preventing and Healing Family Estrangement

Preventing and Healing Family Estrangement

The majority of people know of at least one or two people who are estranged from their family. It’s painful for all parties involved and difficult to resolve. Many things lead to estrangement; disagreements about values, divorce, violence, substance abuse, mental illness, personality disorders that were unknown, and betrayal. For the most part, affected families suffer in silence, feeling embarrassed about their loved one’s estrangement or rejection from their family. The rej

Sharing Your New Love with Family at Thanksgiving

Sharing Your New Love with Family at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and most of us look forward to seeing family and sharing a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. In most families, there is always a “special uncle” you can count on to be the same. You can predict with perfection who will cause drama at the table and the sensitive topics that will be brought up. It’s fine if it’s just you, but what happens when you bring home a new love? Should you tell them in advance about what to expect? Will they be ab

Is your partner a teammate or a rival?

Is your partner a teammate or a rival?

It’s a common area of marital discord when couples begin competing against each other rather than working together as a team. It begins subtly; sometimes with something as simple as the kids saying one parent is the best or comparing parents to each other. Or maybe you’ve been working on getting fit and, rather than offering each other support, you begin reminding your spouse that you eat healthier or look better than they do. Before long, you find yourself feeling angry and

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