What does it mean for life partners to reconcile? Reconciliation is more than a moment—it’s a process.

Reconciliation is not a single act or a grand gesture. It’s an ongoing journey of restoring trust and repairing what was broken.

While Moving back in together, receiving thoughtful gifts, or taking a romantic trip may feel like progress, but these acts alone cannot rebuild the foundation of your relationship.

To succeed, reconciliation requires consistent effort to re-establish boundaries and nurture mutual respect. Social science research emphasizes that healing after betrayal involves a series of small, intentional actions over time (Gottman & Silver, 1999).

Do fulfilling sexual experiences boost your self-esteem, or does a healthy dose of self-confidence lead to better sex?

If this sounds like a chicken-and-egg scenario for grown-ups, science says: why not both?

A fascinating new study, based on 12 years of data, reveals that self-esteem and sexual satisfaction are caught up in a delightful two-way dance — one that keeps reinforcing itself over time.

But here’s the twist: sexual frequency (aka, how often you’re doing it) doesn’t seem to join the party.

Now, before you start rethinking every relationship you’ve ever had, let’s break this down in real-world terms—especially how it all plays out in couples therapy.

American culture often treats intimacy as synonymous with sex.

From movies to Instagram reels, the message is clear: if there’s no passionate lip-lock or bedroom scene, is it even love? This hyperfocus on sexual chemistry sidelines the importance of connection outside the bedroom.

Interestingly, a 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 57% of Americans in relationships prioritized emotional closeness over physical intimacy, but a significant portion admitted they weren’t sure how to cultivate it.

Let’s face it: the topic of faking orgasms has been the butt of jokes, sitcom plots, and awkward dinner table conversations for decades.

But beneath the laughter lies a serious question—who’s faking it, and why?

A recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research tackles this head-on, offering surprising insights into not only why people fake orgasms but also what makes them stop. Spoiler alert: it’s not always because they got caught mid-performance.

Grab your popcorn (or perhaps your partner), and let’s unpack this research with a healthy dose of humor and warmth.

It’s time to discuss why emotionally unavailable men keep capturing your heart—and how to find the healthy love you deserve.

You didn’t set out to fall for someone emotionally unavailable, but here you are again. Maybe it’s the charm, the challenge, or the undeniable chemistry, but the pattern feels like déjà vu.

If you’re reliable, caring, and compassionate, it’s natural to want to see the best in people.

You stay too long, hoping your love will change them, or you leave only to repeat the cycle with someone eerily similar. Before you know it, you're doubting your ability to recognize a "good guy" and questioning your worth in the process.

Understanding why this happens is the first step to breaking free from the pattern. Let’s explore seven reasons you might be falling for emotionally unavailable men—and, more importantly, how to stop.

Let’s face it: relationships can feel like navigating a minefield when all you’ve ever known are the emotional equivalent of wildfires and hurricanes.

Maybe your parents’ marriage was a live-action soap opera, or perhaps your own love life has been a parade of drama queens, commitment-phobes, and emotionally unavailable partners.

If this sounds familiar, you might not even know what a healthy relationship looks like, let alone feels like.

But do not despair!

You’re not doomed to a lifetime of bad choices or settling for less than you deserve.

With some insight, a sprinkle of self-reflection, and a pinch of optimism, you can learn to identify—and perhaps even cultivate—a relationship that’s healthy, fulfilling, and maybe even fun.

As a couples therapist, the findings of this study on “Duty Sex” offer both poignant insights and critical opportunities for deeper reflection.

Women with histories of nonconsensual sexual experiences are more likely to engage in sexual activity out of obligation rather than pleasure, according to recent research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

This dynamic—where intimacy becomes a duty rather than a mutually fulfilling experience—has profound implications for relationships.

But an intriguing question lingers: Could the reverse be true for men, or do different dynamics emerge in their intimate lives following trauma?

The "Tall Girl" problem is a metaphor that captures a growing dilemma in modern dating: as women rise in economic, educational, and social status, the pool of men who meet their criteria for a partner narrows significantly.

Just as a tall woman might struggle to find a taller man who fits her preferences, a successful woman faces challenges finding a man who matches—or exceeds—her accomplishments in the areas she values most.

Why Does the "Tall Girl" Problem Exist?

When it comes to love, is it true that women have an intuitive radar for spotting trouble in paradise? Pop culture has long portrayed women as relationship whisperers, armed with an uncanny ability to forecast the rise and fall of romantic partnerships.

From rom-coms to watercooler gossip, the belief in women's superior "relationship instincts" is as enduring as it is compelling. But does science back up this idea? According to a fascinating new study, the answer is... complicated.

While women’s commitment levels were found to be a stronger predictor of relationship dissolution in mixed-gender couples, the plot thickens: men’s and women’s evaluations of love and satisfaction are equally critical. So, are women the oracles of relationships?

Or is the story more nuanced?

Ever wondered if couples are really happier than their single friends?

Maybe you’ve scrolled through Instagram, side-eyeing those picture-perfect couples, while quietly relishing your solo Netflix binge.

Well, the verdict is in: people in relationships tend to be happier than singles, but—as with all things in life—it’s complicated.

A recent cross-cultural study, published in Evolutionary Psychological Science, dives deep into the emotional wellbeing of singles and couples across 12 countries.

The research reveals that intimate relationships, especially good ones, are strongly tied to higher life satisfaction and emotional wellbeing.

But before you run off to find a partner (or throw your phone across the room), let’s unpack the nuances with a dash of humor and a whole lot of science.

Marriage and aging: a duo that’s been studied for decades, but new research reveals the relationship is a bit like your in-laws—complicated.

A study published in International Social Work offers fresh insights, showing that married men are more likely to age gracefully, while for women, the benefits of marriage seem a little more... situational.

For women, marital stability—not just marriage itself—might hold the key to thriving in later years.

Let’s dig into the findings, sprinkle in a little humor (and empathy), and explore what this means for all of us.

If you spent your teen years pledging purity and dreaming of your future spouse, only to later discover that your romantic life feels more “oh no” than “oh wow,” you’re not alone.

New research published in Sociology of Religion has uncovered a less-than-holy revelation: for many white Christian women who embraced purity culture, the “gift” they were saving for marriage came wrapped in sexual pain, shame, and dissatisfaction.