Welcome to my Blog

Thank you for stopping by. This space is where I share research, reflections, and practical tools drawn from my experience as a marriage and family therapist.

Are you a couple looking for clarity? A professional curious about the science of relationships? Or simply someone interested in how love and resilience work? I’m glad you’ve found your way here. I can help with that.

Each post is written with one goal in mind: to help you better understand yourself, your partner, and the hidden dynamics that shape human connection.

Grab a coffee (or a notebook), explore what speaks to you, and take what’s useful back into your life and relationships. And if a post sparks a question, or makes you realize you could use more support, I’d love to hear from you.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
~Daniel

P.S.

Feel free to explore the categories below to find past blog posts on the topics that matter most to you. If you’re curious about attachment, navigating conflict, or strengthening intimacy, these archives are a great way to dive deeper into the research and insights that I’ve been sharing for years.

 

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The problem with Break-it Smash Rooms and monetized rage…

This research was partly inspired by the trend of ‘Break-it Rage Rooms,’ where people smash objects to release their rage.

A meta-literature review of over 150 studies found that deep breathing, yoga, and the traditional method of counting to ten are more effective ways of managing anger than destroying furniture or screaming into a pillow.

Contrary to popular belief that anger should be expressed or ‘vented’, the most effective anger management strategies involve reducing arousal levels.

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Is News Addiction becoming a thing?

As many as one in six folks may exhibit signs of 'severely problematic' news consumption, akin to an addiction-like state.

Research indicates that humans with a news addiction are more likely to experience anxiety, stress, and compromised physical health.

News addiction can manifest as a deep preoccupation with news stories to the extent that it dominates one's waking thoughts and disrupts daily life, including sleep patterns.

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What causes psychosis?

Psychosis is a defining symptom of severe mental illnesses like delusional disorders, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, characterized by an inability to distinguish reality from fantasy.

Neuroscientists have pinpointed two crucial brain systems behind this condition, offering insights into its core mechanisms.

One of these systems serves as a filter, sorting important internal thoughts and external stimuli from irrelevant ones.

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AI + fMRI= Mind Reading?

Using fMRI brain scanning technology, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) system has been developed to interpret people's thoughts.

Although not entirely precise, this AI can grasp the essence of the thoughts of willing participants.

This advancement represents a significant step forward in decoding complex ideas from brain activity, as opposed to the previous focus on single words or short sentences.

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Psychopathy vs. Sociopathy…

Psychopathy and sociopathy are terms often used interchangeably in clinical contexts, both referring to individuals with antisocial personality disorders.

While these terms are commonly understood to mean the same thing, there are nuanced differences that can impact how these disorders are perceived and treated.

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When You're Worried About Someone: Understanding and Navigating Relationship Concerns…

Worrying about a partner is a natural part of a caring relationship.

Whether it's concern about their health, behavior, emotions, or trust, these worries can significantly impact the dynamics of a relationship.

Understanding the nature of these worries, their underlying causes, and effective coping strategies can help navigate these challenging moments with empathy and resilience.

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Understanding Cognitive Dissonance: A Classic Social Psychology Experiment

Imagine you're an undergrad at Stanford in 1954, clueless about the groundbreaking experiment you're about to be a part of.

Festinger and Carlsmith's study on cognitive dissonance is about to turn your perception of boredom and deception on its head…

You agree to participate in a two-hour experiment on 'measures of performance,' thinking it's just another requirement for your course. Little do you know, this experiment will become a cornerstone in social psychology…

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The problem with being defensive…

Defensiveness is marriage one of the most pervasive of Gottman’s four horsemen of the apocalypse.

The problem with being defensive is that when you’re feeling attacked, it keeps you stuck in your own head.

Many couples slide into conflictual conversations too casually, easily and quickly… do you?

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