Last week in my office, a husband sat across from me, clearly frustrated and agitated. His words came out fast and loud. “What can I say to get her to listen?” he asked, exasperated. But here was the problem: his wife, sitting just a few feet away, was trying to listen. In fact, she’d been […]
Why Non-Sexual Intimacy Often Feels Missing in Loving Relationships Non-sexual intimacy is often the missing piece when couples say they love each other but still feel distant. Many people assume intimacy means deep conversations, emotional confessions, or long talks late into the night. When those moments are rare or feel forced, couples start to worry […]
The other day, I heard about a woman in a therapist group who was struggling with loneliness as an “empty nester.” She wanted to build friendships and perhaps find a romantic partner, but despite her efforts to engage in groups and host events, she found that people didn’t seem to connect with her. She described […]
In the wake of a heated argument or a season of disconnect, many couples find themselves standing in the rubble of what used to be a firm foundation. Whether the conflict was a “colorful conversation” filled with descriptive disagreements or a period of cold withdrawal, the aftermath remains the same: a fracture in trust. Rebuilding […]
Let’s revisit the love languages (made famous by Chapman a few years back). Y’all, the key is that you speak THEIR love language. Cross translate. Dr Alessandra talks about the “platinum rule” in relationships. The golden rule is “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” The platinum rule is “Do […]
I was raised by parents who mercilessly pushed themselves beyond their capacity. Respecting one’s energy limits was a foreign concept to me until adulthood. Instead I witnessed two humans who blew past their limits on a regular basis. My father was the first person up in our home when I was a child. He never […]
6 Reasons You’re Still Single, Even Though You Desire Marriage. 1) The Culture of OPTIONS Over COMMITMENT More than any generation in history, you have: • Unlimited choices • Unlimited access • Unlimited comparisons • Unlimited alternatives But unlimited options have quietly killed the urgency to commit. Social media + dating apps create the […]
Depression doesn’t just affect the person experiencing it—it can also ripple out and influence their relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners. This isn’t because the person with depression doesn’t care about their loved ones; rather, depression can change the way they think, feel, and interact with others. Understanding these effects can help foster empathy […]
I was born into responsibility – over-responsibility actually. Holding more than my share. Being responsible for it all. It brings an extra level of seriousness to my life. I am almost always serious by default. The duty seeps into everything. Even my play becomes serious if I’m not careful. I was handed a lot of […]
Congrats, you’ve got a first date coming up. You may have some jitters but don’t let them deter you from the task at hand: trying to have some fun while getting to know your date a little bit This means getting the vibe as well as the whole person. The Vibe: Do you feel a connection? A spark? How does […]
