Making the decision to engage in couples therapy can be difficult. You might feel it’s an admission that you’re somehow failing as a partner, or that your partner is failing you. But reaching out for professional help is a positive step — it means you care about the relationship. Having made the decision to […]
All Posts in Category: Blog
Finding Your Unique Path Through Grief
Grief is a natural part of life. Inevitable losses — of a spouse or relationship, a pet, a friendship — can provoke pain and a sense of profound emptiness. While there’s plenty of well-meaning “how to” information available, grief is a unique experience for every individual, so being sensitive to your unique circumstances and reactions […]
Put Feelings Before Figures When Fighting Over Finances
More than four in 10 married couples in the U.S. report that they argue about money. So if you and your spouse are fighting about how much to spend on your upcoming theme park vacation or whether you can afford a new SUV, you’re not alone. Money fights are notorious for the stress they can […]
Feel Before You Fix
A successful physician, Jack is admired and praised by colleagues and clients. Patients often tell him how grateful they are for his ability to diagnose — and fix — conditions that afflict them. He’s less successful at home, however. He loves his wife, Jennifer, but when she shares her exhaustion around managing her responsibilities at […]
Living — Together — With ADHD
Living with a partner who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or living with a partner while having ADHD, can be challenging at times. Compensatory ADHD strategies can work well for both individuals and the relationship. Remember, you’re in this together. ADHD is a cluster of behaviors that can include hyperactivity, difficulty maintaining […]
Feeling vs. Fixing
When Joe suggested that his wife Anita hire another worker for her business, he was trying to be helpful. So he was surprised by her sharp response: “That’s not what I need right now. Stop telling me what to do.” After all, Anita had approached Joe to talk about her frustration with her […]
What’s a Panic Attack?
Tanya squeezed into the crowded elevator. She was running five minutes late for a meeting and now wished she hadn’t taken the time for a second cup of coffee that morning. Suddenly she became keenly aware of the number of people packed into the small space. Then she noticed that her breathing felt a […]
The Hidden Dangers of Meaning Well
The day Becky unexpectedly lost her job, her first reaction was shock. Worse, her husband Bill, who was struggling with multiple sclerosis, was barely able to move — much less work. How would she tell him? So Becky decided not to tell Bill until she could get another job, when there was a […]
Procrastination — It’s Making Me Late
Songstress Carly Simon had a big hit in 1971 with the title track on her second album, “Anticipation.” The chorus? “… is making me late.” For many of us, it might have been more relevant if she’d sung “procrastination.” As I procrastinate writing this blog, I’m simultaneously observing what’s going on inside me […]
How to Make Health Activities More Fun
While our neighbors in the north prepare for winter’s chill to take hold, this is the time of year where Floridians begin thinking about being outdoors again. Fall and winter in Florida are a respite from the mid-90s temperatures of summer, giving us a chance to get more activity and movement in our daily lives. […]