Mental health problems can create a vicious cycle that severely damages relationships, especially during historically stressful times.

As a couples therapist, it’s essential to understand how depression affects both partners in a marriage and to use this knowledge to help couples navigate their struggles.

Research reveals that women who are depressed lose their ability to read emotions accurately, which negatively impacts their relationships.

This phenomenon, known as the loss of ‘empathic accuracy,’ causes significant strain and can lead to a cycle of increasing depression and relational distress.

Did you know that spending just 30 minutes a week in a park can significantly boost your mental health and lower your blood pressure?

Australian researchers have uncovered compelling evidence that frequent visits to green spaces are linked to better mental and physical health.

Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disabilities, communication disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been linked to gut microbiota disturbances during the first year of a child’s life.

Emerging research reveals that gut microbiome disruption during infancy significantly impacts a child’s future intellectual ability.

I have worked with clients who wore the mantle of a “supermom” as a family badge of honor.

While others complain about flowing like a river to the point of exhaustion.

This leaves them unable to harbor even the fleeting shadow of a selfish thought.

If you’re a woman who does too much, a supermom, does this also translate into “over-achieving” in managing your mental health?

Dr. John Gottman has been conducting research on couples for over 40 years.

As a result of Gottman’s research in the love lab, he has categorized couples into five distinct types…which type are you?

Is Dating ok during a separation?

As long as you are living apart, and abide by any legal agreements, dating while separated is legal.

However, dating while separated may have emotional implications that may impact the quality of life for your entire family for years to come…

When it comes to marital fight dissection, evidence-based Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is by far the most relational model.

At the risk of being overly simplistic, it could be argued the entire EFT model is essentially one big fight autopsy.

Jonathan Haidt's book The Righteous Mind offers valuable insights for couples struggling with political differences.

According to Haidt, our moral judgments are based on six foundations: care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, authority/subversion, sanctity/degradation, and liberty/oppression.

When couples understand that their partner's political views are rooted in these deep-seated moral foundations, it becomes easier to empathize and communicate.

When it comes to sustaining a happy, long-term romantic relationship, many factors come into play – mutual respect, shared values, open communication, and of course, love and attraction.

But one area that often gets overlooked, despite being an essential component of a couple’s long-term success and mental wellbeing, is financial compatibility.

Money matters can make or break a relationship, especially when partners come from different socioeconomic backgrounds or have vastly different financial habits, goals, and expectations.

So, you’re on Ozempic to manage your diabetes or shed those pesky pounds, and suddenly you’re finding yourself in some rather…interesting situations.

Maybe you’re gambling more, indulging in public displays of affection (or more), or even eyeing divorce as a shiny new start.

As a couples therapist, I’ve started hearing more of these tales, and it’s making me wonder: What’s going on with Ozempic and impulse control?

Narcissism can often be mistaken for just high self-confidence or a little bit of self-absorption.

But trust me, as a couples therapist, I've seen that this personality trait is far more complex than that.

What is Narcissism?

Excessive internet use is linked to depression, a review of research finds.

Spending too much time online can lead to depression partly because it leaves less time for activities that promote mental health.

Adolescents who use the internet excessively tend to skip beneficial activities like exercise and face-to-face socializing because they're too tired. Without these mentally beneficial activities, those who overuse the internet experience higher levels of depression.