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.

 

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

Get the Gouge and Embrace the Suck for Life and Legacy

In military slang, "the gouge" refers to vital information, tips, or insider knowledge that helps service members prepare for tests, evaluations, or assignments.

This concept can be wonderfully applied to science-based couples therapy, which offers essential tools, hacks, and strategies for navigating and enhancing intimate relationships.

Additionally, the military phrase "embrace the suck," which means to accept and endure difficult situations, also holds valuable wisdom for couples therapy. Let’s explore how these concepts from military slang can be applied to couples therapy to improve life and legacy.

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Extramarital Affairs Daniel Dashnaw Extramarital Affairs Daniel Dashnaw

How to end an affair with a married man

Ending an affair with a married man is a complex and emotionally charged process. It requires a deep understanding of personal boundaries, emotional resilience, and often, the support of professional guidance.

This post will discuss the essential steps to end such an affair, informed by social science research and expert insights on infidelity.

We will also explore the intricate dynamics when both parties in the affair are married and what recent research in the USA has revealed about such situations.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

What is the NARBO Model?

Treating folks with narcissistic traits can be challenging due to their resistance to acknowledging their issues and their tendency to manipulate or blame others.

The NARBO model can aid clinicians in maintaining a clear framework for understanding these behaviors and developing targeted interventions.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula is a clinical psychologist and a leading expert on narcissism, having extensively studied and written about narcissistic personality disorder and its impact on relationships and individuals.

Her insights can be valuable in understanding the NARBO model components and their clinical application.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

Stress bragging: Why flaunting your stress is the new office faux pas

Stress talk is an emerging workplace habit — but why do people do it and what is the effect?

When people ‘brag’ about how much stress they are under, they do it because they think it makes them look better to co-workers and others. This is but another emerging manifestation of Cultural Narcissism.

However, a study finds that ‘stress bragging’, as the researchers term it, only serves to make braggarts seem less competent and less likable.

Worse, stress bragging makes the braggart’s colleagues and those around them feel more stressed and burnt out.

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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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