“Giving up your individuality to be together is as defeating in the long run as giving up your relationship to maintain your individuality. Either way, you end up being less of a person with less of a relationship.” Dr. David Schnarch.

Believing that you have an unsupportive Spouse has been identified as a primary source of depression.

New research shows that partners who believe that they have unsupportive spouses are at higher risk of depression than those who were alone and unmarried.

But what is unsupportive spouse depression?

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…

Excessive internet use is increasingly linked to depression, according to a comprehensive review of recent research.

As a marriage and family therapist, I’ll explore the impacts of internet overuse on adolescent mental health, and best practices for achieving a healthier balance.

Imagine spilling your teenage angst to a robot and actually feeling better!

That's not the opening line to a sci-fi novel but the reality for over 10,000 adolescents who chatted with an AI therapist named KAI.

Over six weeks, these young folks reported improvements in their psychological well-being, according to a recent study.

But could this new wave of AI therapy inadvertently de-professionalize the field of mental health?

A meta-conversation is when a couple discusses how their past fights have evolved, paying particular attention to how they treated each other during that heated fight.

Meta originally comes from Greek and means “higher” or “above.”

Meta-conversations are a critical skill in marital repair.

Divorce with kids in mind. Here we discuss how to minimize the effects of divorce on children by taking good care of your own needs, explaining divorce in an understandable way to your children, listen to feelings, don’t try to fix them, and set up valuable routines.

What not to do? That’s here as well…

The naturally talented hold a special place in people’s minds. Those with superior innate abilities are automatically preferred over hard workers — even when their achievements are similar.

For example, professional musicians prefer a musical performance by someone described as talented over that of a hard worker (Schulz, 1994).

During the recent COVID pandemic, children's screen time has significantly increased, doubling from previous levels.

This surge in screen usage raises concerns about its impact on mental health, particularly the risk of developing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Most people experience intrusive thoughts occasionally, but what distinguishes them in folks with OCD?

For those with OCD, intrusive thoughts are more frequent and provoke a stronger urge to act, a study finds.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood as merely being overly meticulous about cleanliness or safety.

However, OCD is a complex mental health condition characterized by unreasonable fears (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to alleviate these fears.

Let’s consider OCD, including its symptoms, types, causes, and treatments, and distinguish it from Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).

As a couples therapist, I have unusual additional training. I also have a M.S. in Labor Studies.

I often explore how different aspects of my client’s lives, such as work and career choices, affect their life-partner relationship and overall well-being.

One fascinating area is the long-term impact of a brain-stimulating career on cognitive health.

Recent research suggests that your job could significantly determine your brain's fate as you age.

Let's consider how a career that challenges your mind might help you stay sharp well into your golden years…