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.
- Attachment Issues
- Coronavirus
- Couples Therapy
- Extramarital Affairs
- Family Life and Parenting
- How to Fight Fair
- Inlaws and Extended Families
- Intercultural Relationships
- Marriage and Mental Health
- Married Life & Intimate Relationships
- Neurodiverse Couples
- Separation & Divorce
- Signs of Trouble
- Social Media and Relationships
- What Happy Couples Know
Involvement vs. commitment in a marriage
A recent longitudinal research project at the Relationship Institute at UCLA. has unpacked this important question.
The Marriage and Family Development Laboratory at UCLA has been conducting significant research on keeping marriages vibrant and strong for nearly 30 years.
What did they learn about commitment in a marriage?
7 Ways narcissists discard you: When love turns to loathing
Navigating a relationship with a narcissist can feel like being on a rollercoaster designed by someone who hates fun.
One moment, you're on top of the world; the next, you're free-falling into emotional oblivion.
Here’s the 7 notorious ways narcissists discard you, peppered with insights from narcissism experts.
Spice Up Your Relationship with Fun and Savoring
Hey lovebirds! Ready to kick boredom and dull routines to the curb? Let’s jazz up your relationship with two delightful psychological techniques: behavioral activation and savoring.
Think of these as the secret sauce to make your daily grind a whole lot tastier!
Picture this: instead of sinking into the sofa every evening, you and your partner dive into a pool of fun activities and then relive the joy like it's a favorite movie! Let’s learn more!
7 More things Narcissists do when they are alone (And 10 Things That Crush Their Ego)
Being alone can be a challenging experience for many, but for narcissists, it’s particularly complex.
Narcissistic folks thrive on attention, admiration, and validation from others – what’s commonly referred to as narcissistic supply.
Without this supply, they can feel empty and unfulfilled.
As a couples therapist, I've seen how these tendencies manifest, even in solitude. Here are seven things narcissists often do when they are alone, followed by ten things that can crush their ego.
10 indications that you're speaking with a Covert Narcissist
Covert Narcissism is Toxic Narcissism’s smarmy little brother.
Here are 10 signs you’re conversing with a Covert Narcissist. I’ll also discuss how most folks feel afterward.
Let’s jump in!
8 Things narcissists do when they are alone
Narcissism often manifests in grandiose behavior, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. But what happens when the spotlight fades, and the narcissist is left alone?
As a couples therapist, I've seen how these moments of solitude can be particularly challenging for individuals with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).
Let's explore 8 behaviors narcissists typically engage in when they're by themselves, shedding light on their need for narcissistic supply and the struggles they face in isolation.
Challenging Esther Perel's idea that “love is not a permanent state of enthusiasm”
Esther Perel, a renowned psychotherapist and relationship expert, has captured the hearts and minds of many with her insights on love and desire.
One of her most provocative ideas is that "love is not a permanent state of enthusiasm."
While her perspective offers a refreshing departure from the fairy-tale notion of everlasting passion, it is essential to critically examine whether or not this idea may inadvertently capitulate to cultural narcissism.
New study links body temperature to depression: implications for treatment
The most extensive study yet on body temperature and depression has revealed that folks with depression tend to have higher body temperatures, suggesting that cooling the body might be a potential treatment for depression.
Research identifies 4 patterns of eating that impact your well-being.
People who eat a balanced diet have better mental health, cognitive function and overall well-being.
But how are we defining a balanced diet?
A healthy, balanced dietary pattern contains good amounts of fruits and vegetables, nuts, pulses, whole grains, moderate amounts of dairy, fish, and eggs, and a low intake of red meat and poultry.
The importance of fathers; 10 amazing research findings and their modern relevance
According to thought leader Warren Farrell, dads help their children develop greater impulse control, consequential memory, and an enhanced ability to respond to novel or ambiguous interactions.
A commission of government experts was so impressed by recent research on dads they used it to formulate policy initiatives.
Here’s what we know about why dads are essential…
Does wisdom protect against loneliness?
Research reveals that wisdom can significantly protect against loneliness.
Wise humans thrive on diverse viewpoints and are often sought after for their advice. Additionally, they possess the ability to filter negative emotions and make timely decisions.
But what does that have to do with loneliness?
Why parents should think twice before telling ‘little white lies’ to Kids
As a marriage and family therapist, I am often asked to discuss the latest research on parenting and the impact of parental behavior on children.
New research shows that lying to children can have unintended consequences, leading to increased dishonest behavior from the children themselves.