Sam Harris is well-known thought leader, known for his exploration of consciousness, free will, and secular spirituality offers fertile ground for marriage and family therapy.

By drawing on his ideas, therapists can blend secular, neuroscience-informed practices with the spiritual longing that many clients bring into therapy, particularly in their intimate relationships.

Through a blend of mindfulness, ego dissolution, and insights into the limits of free will, Harris invites us to reconsider how we view human behavior and relationships.

These ideas are supported by a growing body of research in psychology and neuroscience that illuminates the importance of mindfulness, unconscious processes, and trauma recovery in relational well-being.

A recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research sheds light on an important communication pattern known as demand-withdrawal, and how it impacts couples during discussions about sexual conflicts.

The research found that couples who often fall into this dynamic tend to experience lower levels of both relationship and sexual satisfaction. Over time, they also report higher sexual distress and a general decline in how happy they feel in their relationship.

The research team wanted to dig into how couples handle sexual conflicts specifically, which hasn’t been studied as much as other relationship challenges.

Talking about sex can be tricky—these conversations often bring up feelings like shame, fear, or anger, making it harder to openly discuss problems. When communication around sexual issues falters, it can harm intimacy and overall well-being, leaving both partners feeling disconnected.

When it comes to understanding why people stay in relationships—or leave them—Caryl Rusbult’s Investment Model is one of the most insightful and influential frameworks in social psychology.

Developed in the 1980s, Rusbult's Investment Model offers a comprehensive explanation of commitment in relationships, focusing on three critical factors: satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and investment.

John Gottman, one of the most renowned relationship experts, has praised Rusbult's work for its depth and accuracy, often referring to her research when discussing long-term relationship dynamics.

In this post, we'll explore the nuances of Rusbult's Investment Model, explaining each component in detail and demonstrating why it remains a key theory in understanding romantic relationships.

We'll also highlight Gottman’s reflections on Rusbult’s legacy, emphasizing the significant impact of her work in the field of relationship psychology.

Marriage has long been viewed as a union built on love and companionship. But for an increasing number of couples—particularly in the American upper class—there is a shift happening.

The strategic partnership marriage is a rising trend that blends emotional connection with a shared commitment to building long-term financial stability, social status, and legacy.

This approach treats marriage as not just a romantic endeavor but a joint venture, where partners work together like co-CEOs to manage their family’s wealth, parenting strategies, and social positioning.

In this post, we will dive deep into the strategic partnership marriage model, explore how it’s shaping modern relationships, and why it’s poised to dominate the future of marriage.

Hyposexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) might sound like a mouthful, but at its core, it's about something many people can relate to—a persistent lack of interest in sex.

It’s not just about having an “off week” or feeling stressed; it’s when this lack of desire becomes a pattern that causes personal distress or strains a relationship.

HSDD can affect anyone, though it’s more often reported by women. It’s recognized as a legitimate medical condition and is something worth talking about openly.

Why do men marry? To answer this question, I’ll discuss related themes like love, commitment, societal expectations, and cultural variations, with a special focus on how attachment theory intersects with cultural influences.

Marriage, a timeless institution, has been the cornerstone of societies for centuries.

While the reasons men marry can vary widely, understanding the underlying motivations requires a deep dive into social, cultural, and psychological factors.

Sexual performance anxiety is like that uninvited guest who shows up at the worst possible time.

It’s something many of us have faced, yet its impact on relationships often remains unspoken.

But here’s the thing: sexual performance anxiety isn’t just a “men’s issue,” and it’s not something we should sweep under the rug.

So, let’s explore what sexual performance anxiety really means, how it plays out differently for men and women, and most importantly, what we can do to keep it from hijacking our love lives.

As we journey through life, there comes a time when we pause, look around, and realize that things have changed.

The home we built—both literally and metaphorically—might be showing signs of wear and tear.

Just as we might consider renovating our physical spaces to better suit our current needs, we can also consider "renovating" our relationships during midlife.

This concept of midlife renovations offers couples a chance to refresh, reinvigorate, and recommit to their partnership for the next chapter of life.

Intimate relationships thrive on balance, yet many couples find themselves tipping precariously due to an often unseen burden—the invisible load.

This term captures the mental, emotional, and cognitive labor required to manage a household and family life, much of which goes unrecognized and unshared.

The weight of this invisible load can strain relationships to the breaking point, leading to resentment, burnout, and emotional distance.

What is the Invisible Load?

Money can't buy love, but financial inequality can certainly put it to the test.

In today’s world, where dual-income households are the norm and financial independence is highly valued, disparities in earnings between partners can lead to significant challenges.

This post explores the impact of financial inequality on intimacy in relationships, delving deep into power dynamics, resentment, and even the potential for infidelity.

We’ll examine the latest social science research, pose thought-provoking questions, and offer practical advice for couples navigating these complex issues.

Marriage, often heralded as the pinnacle of romantic commitment, can undergo a series of challenges that, if left unchecked, can lead to its decline.

Recognizing the stages of a dying marriage is crucial for both partners to address issues early and take necessary steps to potentially salvage the relationship.

This comprehensive blog post explores these stages in depth, supported by social science research and practical insights.

The declaration "marriage is dead" might sound hyperbolic, but numerous studies and cultural shifts suggest that the institution of marriage is indeed under significant threat.

From changing societal norms to economic pressures, the traditional concept of marriage and the nuclear family is evolving rapidly.

This post explores the research behind these changes, what might be supplanting marriage, and the future of the nuclear family in an age characterized by individualism and high costs of raising children.