I think of emotional abuse as a combination of two of the Four Horsemen (Contempt and Criticism) standing upon an aggressive foundation of chronically manipulative and controlling behaviors.

It is the investment in control and domination that is the chief feature of emotional abuse. Here’s what you need to know…

The kind of gaslighting we see in couples therapy is typically a relentless pattern of deception, unreasonable criticism, mean-spirited scrutiny, and contemptuous verbal aggression.

But gaslighting, like other forms of emotional abuse, occurs on a broad continuum.

The milder forms often respond to science-based couples therapy, but extreme gaslighting is typically far more problematic…

When a marriage is dying, we spend more time with the partner in our head. Then the problem-saturated narrative takes over.

Your real partner is trying to be heard, as are you, but neither of you feels understood.

When a marriage is dying, both parties ache to be heard.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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?

Couples therapy can be expensive, exhausting, educational, and exhilarating. you might even want to prepare for it.

If you’ve been kicking around the idea …how do you know if you’re actually ready to start couples counseling?

Here are 5 ways…