As global temperatures rise, there's mounting evidence that people act more impulsively and aggressively in hot weather.

Rising temperatures at home and on the streets can lead to increased verbal aggression and quicker tempers. This trend isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a serious issue with far-reaching implications.

Ever heard the phrase "familiarity breeds contempt"? According to psychologists, the more we know about someone, the less we might actually like them.

Surprising, right? Especially given how many of us are eternal optimists about forming new relationships.

Let's explore this phenomenon and understand why too much familiarity can sometimes lead to disappointment.

In a survey of 2,001 Americans, crypto ownership was also associated with being male and high-income, consuming fringe media, and reporting feelings of victimhood.

Owning cryptocurrency isn't just about dodging financial norms—it's about embodying a certain set of personality traits and demographics, according to a study published on July 3, 2024, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.

Shane Littrell from the University of Toronto, along with colleagues from the University of Miami, USA, spearheaded this dive into the psyche of crypto enthusiasts.

As a couples therapist, I've seen it all. From grandiose plans to mundane daily tasks, we humans often struggle to follow through.

It turns out, the secret to achieving goals lies in understanding both the psychology of decision-making and the psychology of implementing our plans.

Ever wonder if you have a high fluid IQ? Well, it might be hiding in your short-term memory!

Psychological research reveals that the ability to store more items in short-term memory indicates a higher fluid IQ.

The average number of things people can store in short-term memory, whether words, numbers, or random facts, is around four. And don't blink because short-term memory only lasts about 15 to 30 seconds.

However, if you can juggle more than four items in your short-term memory, it suggests you might have an above-average IQ.

Or does it?

Breaking bad habits isn't about sheer willpower; it's about understanding how habits work and using the right strategies to disrupt them.

You can achieve lasting change by avoiding cues, making behaviors harder, mentally blocking impulses, and substituting bad habits with good ones

As a couples therapist, I often see clients who struggle with maintaining focus.

Turns out, a whopping 40% of people are unintentionally sabotaging their ability to concentrate.

The culprit? Dehydration.

In military slang, "the gouge" refers to vital information, tips, or insider knowledge that helps service members prepare for tests, evaluations, or assignments.

This concept can be wonderfully applied to science-based couples therapy, which offers essential tools, hacks, and strategies for navigating and enhancing intimate relationships.

Additionally, the military phrase "embrace the suck," which means to accept and endure difficult situations, also holds valuable wisdom for couples therapy. Let’s explore how these concepts from military slang can be applied to couples therapy to improve life and legacy.

When most long-term couples think about affection, they often picture either a quick peck on the cheek or a full-on romantic encounter.

But as I often remind couples, falling into the trap of equating sex solely with intercourse can limit your potential for both affection and intimacy.

According to sex therapists Barry McCarthy and E. McCarthy in their book "Enhancing Couple Sexuality," this mindset leads to lower levels of both affection and intercourse.

To avoid this trap, let’s consider how you and your partner discover and communicate about the various types of touch you each enjoy.

Spoiler alert: there’s a whole spectrum of touch to explore.

That lusty, unstoppable, boundless feeling of falling in love has a lot to do with novelty.

It is no surprise that as we become familiar with one another novelty tapers off and perhaps some of that initial “effortless” love wanes as well.

How do we get our mojo back?

What is Cinema Therapy?

Cinema therapy is the clinical use of movies as a top-line mental health intervention.

Cinema therapy offers a catalytic, multi-sensory impact on thoughts, feelings, and values.

Watching movies can activate areas of the brain involved in emotional processing, empathetic responses, and problem-solving…

In his book, The Science of Trust, Dr. John Gottman explains that 91% of our time spent together as a couple is spent as a foursome…because when you’re not emotionally available with your real partner, you may be in deep communion with the partner in your head.

That’s why this post talks to you about one of the most powerful interventions in science-based couples therapy…the Gottman Repair Checklist.