Welcome to my Blog

This blog is for life partners who suspect their relationship problem is not just communication, compatibility, or stress.

It may be a repeating system. These essays explain the patterns. Effective clinical work interrupts them.

Most folks don’t arrive here because something dramatic has happened.

They arrive because something feels… different.

The relationship still works. Conversations still happen. Life continues.

But something important is no longer organizing it the way it used to.

This space is where I write about that shift.

Not just what breaks relationships—but what quietly changes them:

  • how desire adapts.

  • how attention moves.

  • how meaning erodes or deepens over time.

These patterns are not random.
They tend to unfold in a predictable sequence.

If you’re here, you’re likely in one of those moments:

  • trying to understand what changed.

  • trying to decide whether it matters.

  • trying to figure out what to do next.

Start anywhere.

But if something here feels familiar, don’t treat it as abstract.

It usually isn’t.

Where to Begin

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, these are a few good entry points:

If You’re Looking for More Than Insight

Understanding is useful.

But at a certain point, most couples realize they can explain their relationship clearly—and still not change it.

That’s where focused work becomes effective.

I offer structured, high-impact couples intensives designed to produce meaningful movement in a compressed period of time.

Before We Decide Anything

A brief consultation helps determine:

  • whether this is what you’re dealing with.

  • whether this format fits.

  • and whether we should move forward.

Get a Clear Read on Your Relationship

Take your time reading.

But if something here lands in a way that feels specific—pay attention to that.

That’s usually where this work begins.

Continue Exploring

If you prefer to browse more broadly, you can explore posts by topic below.

But most people don’t find what they need by browsing.

They find it when something they read feels uncomfortably accurate.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
~ Daniel

 

Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

Personality change after bariatric surgery and bariatric divorce…

Personality change after bariatric surgery is a fact, and a bariatric divorce is often the result.

After bariatric surgery, hormone levels dramatically shift, and the post-surgery dietary regime changes serotonin levels and neurotransmitter activity in the brain.

Personality change after bariatric surgery can wreak havoc in marriage and leave spouses completely unprepared…

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Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

What is Resilience?

We all need a certain baseline resilience just to deal with the setbacks and losses that are an inevitable part of ordinary life.

Resilience is the ability to manage uncertainty, resist and overcome fear while transcending obstacles that may appear to be preventing you from succeeding.

Fortunately, we know a lot about resilience; what it is, and how it works.

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Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

Why self-compassion is essential for emotional resilience…

New research underscores the profound impact of self-compassion on emotional healing and well-being.

According to Professor Mark R. Leary, the lead author of a study on this subject, self-compassion helps humans cope with life's challenges without becoming defensive.

He stated, “Self-compassion helps to eliminate a lot of the anger, depression and pain we experience when things go badly for us.”

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Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

Sleepless in Recovery: The Surprising Post-COVID-19 Insomnia Trend…

The aftermath of COVID-19 is proving to be a real snooze fest for many, but not in the way you might think.

While we're all eager to put the pandemic behind us, some are having trouble catching those much-needed Zs.

According to a recent study, over 76% of folks recovering from mild COVID-19 are experiencing a noticeable degree of insomnia…

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Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

Moral Injury: Understanding, Healing, and Moving Forward with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy…

In recent years, the concept of moral injury has gained increasing attention in the field of marriage and family therapy.

Coined originally in the context of combat veterans, moral injury refers to the psychological, social, and spiritual harm that arises from actions, or the lack thereof, that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations.

It can occur in various contexts beyond the military, such as in healthcare, law enforcement, and even within personal relationships...

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