When couples walk into therapy, they’re usually ready to talk about their relationship—the arguments, the passion, the shared laundry wars.

What often gets ignored, however, is the complex web of outside relationships that subtly shape their dynamics. Friends, family, colleagues, and even that one overly chatty barista can all play a role in the health of a couple’s bond.

As a couples therapist, I’ve seen how these external connections can act as either lifeboats or anchors. Let’s explore the science, the stories, and the strategies for navigating the role of outside relationships in your marriage or partnership.

Franz Kafka’s reflections on friendship offer a timeless lens through which we can examine the fractures and reconnections that define modern American family estrangements.

As Kafka wrestled with the paradoxes of intimacy and isolation, he illuminated truths about the human condition that resonate profoundly in our era of growing disconnection.

In many LGBTQ+ communities, weddings often look less like a Hallmark scene and more like a joyful reunion of chosen family.

It’s not uncommon for ex-partners to play central roles: officiating, giving toasts, or simply sharing in the celebration.

This cultural phenomenon isn’t just a quirky detail—it reflects a deeply rooted set of values about community, connection, and the ability to redefine relationships.

When we think of family dynamics, the "gay uncle" often appears as the fun-loving, wise, and endlessly entertaining relative who brings both humor and heart to family gatherings.

While pop culture and social media have popularized the term, there’s more to the "gay uncle" identity than meets the eye.

From evolutionary psychology to cultural sociology, this phenomenon provides a fascinating glimpse into how LGBTQ+ individuals enrich family systems in unique and impactful ways.

With another election season behind us, therapists everywhere may be gearing up for a busy post-election holiday season.

Political divides can run deep, and family gatherings in these times are rarely immune to the pressures of differing opinions and generational clashes.

Yet, the season also holds the potential for understanding, empathy, and—perhaps—a family truce.

As middle-aged couples move into the next phase of life, caregiving for aging parents can become a central and emotionally complex responsibility.

Whether it's managing daily care, juggling medical appointments, or handling the emotional weight of seeing a loved one in decline, the caregiving experience can take a toll on even the strongest marriages.

The stress of balancing these demands can lead to burnout, conflict, and even resentment, making it vital for couples to work together as a team.

Research shows that caregiving can strain mental and physical health, with many caregivers experiencing increased levels of depression, anxiety, and physical ailments.

According to Dr. Richard Schulz, a leading expert in caregiving research, “Caregivers often report feeling isolated and unsupported, which can worsen the strain they already feel” (Schulz & Sherwood, 2008). Navigating this challenging life stage while preserving the health of your marriage requires a combination of open communication, mutual support, and strategic planning.

In this post, we’ll explore how middle-aged couples can navigate the caregiving journey, maintain their relationship, and avoid falling into the caregiving trap of overextension and burnout.

Becoming a grandparent is one of life’s sweetest rewards, a time to shower little ones with love without the responsibilities of daily parenting.

But it also comes with challenges, especially when you’re navigating this new role as a middle-aged couple, learning to balance support with maintaining healthy boundaries.

As exciting as grandparenthood is, it’s easy to find yourselves walking the tightrope between being helpful and accidentally overstepping.

The key is to approach grandparenting as a team, creating a unified approach to support your children and grandchildren while preserving your own relationship and respecting boundaries.

Let’s dive deeper into how you and your partner can enjoy grandparenting, offer meaningful help, and still protect the independence of your adult children.

The Election is Coming—So is the Emotional Rollercoaster.

As the election looms on the horizon, it’s not just campaign ads and debates that are heating up—it’s the emotional temperature of many households.

Whether it’s your friends, your family, or even your partner, navigating political conversations during this time can feel like diffusing a bomb while riding a rollercoaster.

Election anxiety is real, and it’s hitting harder than ever.

In the era of 24/7 news cycles and politically charged social media, many of us are experiencing what I like to call “Emotional Election Burnout.”

But here’s the good news: you can reclaim your sanity (and your relationships) during the election season with a few therapeutic strategies.

This post might help guide you through the chaos. I’ll try to offer tips grounded in social science research and humor to help you survive election season intact.

Because if there’s one thing more exhausting than political debates, it’s political debates with your loved ones. Let’s save those relationships, shall we?

Family life can feel like an unpredictable game at times.

One moment, things are flowing smoothly, and the next, everything shifts with a single move. It’s not too different from playing a game of Uno—where strategy, unpredictability, and a few well-placed cards can change everything.

In family therapy, these shifts in dynamics, power, and communication patterns are common, and they often mirror the emotional “wild cards” we encounter in our relationships.

We’ve all heard about how hitting the gym can do wonders for our bodies and minds—but what if I told you that your workouts could make your grandkids smarter?

No, it’s not some quirky family myth or a new grandparenting hack. In fact, new research suggests that the cognitive benefits of exercise can be passed down through generations, even if those future grandkids never break a sweat!

Intrigued?

Let's dive into the fascinating study that found a link between grandfathers’ treadmill routines and their grandsons’ improved brainpower—well, at least in mice.

Nowadays, the importance of extended family in a child’s emotional development is often overlooked. While the nuclear family (parents and children) typically receives the most attention in conversations about child-rearing, extended family members—grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins—play an equally crucial role.

Their involvement provides additional layers of emotional support, different relationship models, and a safety net when things get tough within the immediate family.

Extended family can offer children emotional resources that supplement those provided by their parents. In many cases, they act as buffers or emotional safety valves when the nuclear family dynamics are strained.

As the upcoming election looms, a new dynamic is quietly emerging in families across the nation—political echo chambers at the dinner table.

There is, for many, a growing polarization within their families, where political discussions that once fostered healthy debate now create tension and division.

The impact of these echo chambers is particularly concerning in the context of couples and family therapy, as it highlights the challenges families face in maintaining unity amid rising political tensions.