Why Foreplay Matters to Your Relationship
Hot, steamy love scenes have become commonplace on reality shows and movies, making it look like everyone’s reality but your own. One of the most common complaint therapists hear from couples is the absence of passion and desire in their intimate life. Most of us were raised to believe that foreplay is before sex. However, foreplay is really a form of communicating your love and desire for your partner. When we make it exclusive to love-making, we forget the importance of for
Four ways to bring the family together to celebrate the 4th of July
When we think of the celebrating the fourth of July we think of fireworks, barbecue in the back yard, parades, but mostly we think of family. Family is at the heart of all holidays, and everyone has a story about how they celebrated the 4th of July as a child. Making a blueberry pie with your grandmother or your favorite uncle spiking the watermelon, these stories sustain us and are retold to our children. Times have changed and many of us don’t live close to family anymore.
Do’s and Don’ts of Comforting a Friend Through a Divorce
Divorces are common but that doesn’t mean the people going through them aren’t suffering. Going through a divorce you wanted isn’t easy which means going through one you didn’t want can be emotionally traumatic. During times of great duress, we turn to our friends and loved ones for comfort and understanding. What our loved ones tell us helps us cope with the sleepless nights, overwhelming thought, and strength to get through the day. Finding yourself in the position to suppo
Future Faking: A Destructive Dating Habit
Once a couple is established, talking about where you’ll live, vacations you’ll take, and children you’ll have like helps you feel connected. However, if you start doing this with no intentions of following through, it can be devastating and financially disastrous for your partner. When you keep talking about a future together even when you’re no longer interested in the relationship, you’re engaging in a manipulative practice called “future faking.” Whether you’re currently
Celebrating Your Dad is More Important Than Ever in 2021
If you’re like many families, you didn’t feel safe enough to celebrate your parents last year. Since men are more likely to suffer depression and anxiety in silence, it left many fathers feel lonely and secluded. “Toughing it out” has been devastating for many older men, making it more important than ever to celebrate your dad this Father’s Day. Getting together with family and friends will feel more meaningful and appreciated when you take the time to celebrate with your dad
A Therapist’s Suggestions for Planning a Productive Separation
When you’ve spent time arguing with your partner day after day, week after week, it’s easy to become discouraged in your relationship. Is this all there is? Have we created a marriage neither of us are happy in? Going to couples therapy can help, but when the conflict become so intense that you are burned out, frustrated, and exhausted, a marriage separation may help you both get space, calm down, and begin working on the issues that have led to the conflict. Separating in a
Summer is the Perfect Time to Remodel Your Relationship
When your house starts to look worn and drab, remodeling a room can have a big impact on energy and mood. The same applies to your relationship. If your relationship is feeling frazzled and stunted from a year of quarantine, summer is the perfect time to remodel. Being stuck inside together every day while the days blur together can make your relationship stale. However, a healthy relationship can’t wait for situations to calm down or for pandemics to go away. It insists on i
The Psychological Adjustment of Taking Off Our Masks
The CDC’s announcement that fully vaccinated individuals are safe without masks has become an invitation to begin living our lives again. Although there are positive feelings, many of us are still re-adjusting to socializing with old friends and going into public places without a mask. Relying on our mask for protection psychological impacted many of us; therefore, giving up that security overnight is unrealistic. We saw horrific stories about COVID-19 from the media and in o
Co-Parenting on Health Decisions for Your Children
Co-parents face many challenges which can include scheduling custody, sharing two households, and trying to communicate how to protect their child’s emotional health. COVID-19 has intensified the normal challenges of making decisions for their children which can add stress to an already fragile communication dialogue. Recently, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for children twelve and older. The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics have recommended vaccinating