Year: 2023
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Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Relationship Arguments Through Emotion-Focused Therapy
Ever find yourself fighting about the same thing over and over again with your partner? In the Emotion Focused Therapy lense, arguments are played out in cycles and are rooted in our attachment styles. When the anxiously attached person pushes to seek validation that the avoidant is still in the relationship, the avoidantly attached person becomes…
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Embracing Solitude: 9 Self-Love Practices for Alone Time
Some people stay in relationships because the idea of being alone is terrifying. Not just fear that I am going to be single for the rest of my life, but what do I do when I am just by myself? The fear of being disconnected and alone is so terrifying that they would rather stay…
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Dating Dilemmas: Balancing Change and Expectations
Dating can be hard. It can be hard to know what’s something that is someone’s area of growth or a red flag that should send you running. People we date can say one thing, but their actions say something else. They might say they know they have a problem and are working on it, but…
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Ditch the Dichotomy: How ‘And’ Can Transform Your Perspective
A trend I see when talking with clients is a tendency toward thinking in absolutes. This idea that something is all or nothing, with no room for the in-between. People don’t give credit to the complexities of our reality. Many people think with a mindset that only one thing is happening at a time when…
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Suicide Prevention Week
*Trigger warning: Please note that this blog is about suicide which includes statics and resources for suicide. Please care for yourself accordingly. 49,449 deaths by suicide in 2021, that’s a 2.6% increase from the year before. Someone you know, or maybe even you, has felt the impact of a loss of a person who has…
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5 Essential Conversations Before Saying “I Do”
As a couples therapist, I’ve witnessed the transformational power of open and honest communication. I have also witnessed the other side of relationships where each partner assumes they are on the same page, only to wake up 5 or 10 years later arguing over topics like kids, money, and relationship roles. These topics are crucial…
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4 Boundaries To Maintain With Yourself
Many times we talk about boundaries in regard to how others treat us. In this week’s blog, I will be discussing boundaries with yourself. Boundaries are how we signal to others how we wish to be treated, proclaim our self-worth, and safeguard our well-being. But let’s not forget the often-overlooked aspect – boundaries with ourselves.…
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Unlocking Authenticity: Freeing Yourself from People-Pleasing
In last week’s blog, we delved into the intricate role that people-pleasing can play in shaping our sense of self-worth. Today, I invite you to embark on a journey with me as we explore ways to untangle ourselves from the grip of these ingrained behaviors. While this path may be paved with uncomfortable feelings, it’s…
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The Elusive Chase: The Short-Lived Thrill of External Validation and Its Insatiable Hunger
Today we will explore the intricacies of self-esteem and its relationship with people-pleasing. We will delve into the dynamics of seeking external validation and how it affects our sense of self-worth. Additionally, we’ll discuss the toll that consistently prioritizing others’ opinions can take on our emotional well-being. By the end, we hope to provide insights…
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Breaking the Chains of Passivity: Embracing Healthy Communication for a Stronger Relationship
In the last blog, I discussed how passivity undermines your relationship. So, what’s the antidote to this passivity poison? Communication! Many passive people become passive for fear of upsetting their partner or fear of rejection. While this is not an exhaustive list, the motive behind passivity is to keep the status quo. Unfortunately, over time this keeping…