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.

 

Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

10 sure-fire ways to curb doom scrolling for marital happiness

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Doom scrolling is the compulsive consumption of problem-saturated media content.

The scroll describes the endless feed of posts, memes, and articles many of which feed our plugged-in brains with doom, gloom, and drama.

This intense information that is readily available on your screens pulls you out of your current realities. It can cause us to neglect our own self-care.

The anxiety-producing and addictive nature of doom scrolling might be taking a toll on your marital happiness, too…

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

Can talk therapies relieve Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, affects over three million Americans and 500,000 folks in the UK.

Symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, bleeding, anemia, and fatigue not only impact physical health but also significantly affect mental health and quality of life.

A recent review of research suggests that psychosocial interventions can play a crucial role in managing IBD.

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What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw What Happy Couples Know Daniel Dashnaw

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!

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

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.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

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.

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Couples Therapy Daniel Dashnaw Couples Therapy Daniel Dashnaw

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.

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