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.

 

Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

Breadcrumbing in Relationships

Breadcrumbing in relationships is when one partner gives the other small, sporadic, and often insincere signals of interest, stringing them along without any intention of pursuing a serious or committed relationship.

This frustrating behavior can leave folks feeling confused, undervalued, and emotionally exhausted.

Let’s look deeper into the signs and underlying motivations of breadcrumbing and how to address it in science-based couples therapy.

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

How not to be a narcissist

You’ve had a moment of self-awareness and realized that the world doesn’t revolve around you.

Congratulations!

You've taken the first step in grappling with the age-old question: “How not to be a narcissist.”

This is more relevant now than ever, thanks to the forces of Cultural Narcissism that have infected our society.

From social media to reality TV, we live in a world that often glorifies self-centered behavior. But don’t worry; as a curious human, you can understand how to intentionally avoid the narcissistic reflex. Let’s jump in.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

Am I dating a narcissist? quiz

In today's world, everyone wants a quick way to detect if their significant other is secretly a self-absorbed megalomaniac.

This quiz aims to offer a few good questions with genuine insights to help you navigate the tricky terrain of modern dating.

I've crafted each question to shed light on key narcissistic traits, while also poking a little fun at our collective obsession with diagnosing narcissism.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

10 Lingering signs of narcissistic abuse

Narcissistic abuse can leave deep scars, often manifesting in subtle behaviors and patterns long after the abusive relationship has ended.

Recognizing these signs can be crucial for healing and moving forward. Here are ten lingering signs of narcissistic abuse that many survivors may experience.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

8 questions a narcissist can not answer

When you're dealing with a narcissist, asking certain questions can feel like you're throwing a wrench into the gears of their self-perception machine.

Here are 8 questions that a narcissist simply can't answer honestly.

While this might make for some awkward conversations, it's a fascinating glimpse into the mind of someone who just can't see beyond their own reflection.

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

The Care and Feeding of Gods

In the year 2094, the world had become a place where the line between human and machine was no longer a blur, but a chasm. The multi-exceptional learners—those rare souls blessed with both prodigious intellectual gifts and additional challenges—were at the forefront of this new age.

These multi-exceptional individuals had become the backbone of human advancement, surpassing even the most advanced artificial intelligences.

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

What is a Twice-Exceptional Child?

Imagine a child who is both a gifted genius and faces learning challenges.

Yes, these kids are like superheroes with a twist. The term "twice-exceptional" (2e) refers to children who are exceptionally gifted in one or more areas and have a learning disability or other developmental challenge.

Think of it as having a turbocharged brain with a few tricky wiring issues.

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

Twice-Exceptional Checklist for Parents

Twice-exceptional (2e) children are a remarkable and intriguing group, embodying a blend of high intellectual abilities and unique learning challenges.

These young folks possess extraordinary talents in areas such as mathematics, science, the arts, or creative thinking, yet they also navigate the complexities of learning disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or other developmental hurdles.

The term "twice-exceptional" highlights this duality, where exceptional gifts coexist with significant challenges. Imagine a superhero with a brilliant mind who occasionally stumbles over daily tasks—this paradoxical combination can make their educational and social experiences both fascinating and frustrating.

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

Is my child neurodivergent?

Parenting can feel like a game of whack-a-mole: just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, another challenge pops up.

One question that might have you pondering during those sleepless nights is, “Is my child neurodivergent?”

It runs in families… just sayin’.

As a family therapist interested in science and human behavior, I'm here to help you navigate this complex question.

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Attachment Issues Daniel Dashnaw Attachment Issues Daniel Dashnaw

Are our relationship expectations too high?

So you’re scrolling through Instagram, seeing one perfect relationship post after another.

Happy couples on exotic vacations, surprise gifts, candle-lit dinners.

It’s enough to make anyone wonder if their own relationship measures up.

But what if I told you that these high expectations, fueled by social media and Hollywood fantasies, might be setting us up for disappointment?

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

5 Touch Types to Transform Your Relationship

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.

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Family Life and Parenting Daniel Dashnaw Family Life and Parenting Daniel Dashnaw

What is Hostile Parenting?

Recent research highlights the significant risks associated with hostile parenting, revealing that this approach can increase the likelihood of mental health issues by 150%.

This study, involving over 7,000 children, underscores the need for supportive, consistent, and warm parenting practices.

Let's also explore the philosophical implications of this research and why psychological hostility can be as detrimental as physical hostility.

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