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

Let's Go Fart Walking: The joy and science of post-meal strolls

Sometimes you never know where your next great blog idea will come from.

Enter the “fart walk”—a delightful practice of taking a post-meal stroll to, quite literally, let things air out.

Mairlyn Smith, a Canadian actress and cook, introduced this concept on TikTok, and it has since become a viral sensation.

But is there more to fart walking than just a good laugh?

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

Spiritual Infidelity: Beyond flesh and heart

Infidelity is a complex and multifaceted issue that can devastate relationships. While physical and emotional infidelity are well-known, there's a deeper, often overlooked form of betrayal: spiritual infidelity.

As a science-based couples therapist with a spiritual bent, I've observed how this subtle, yet profound, breach can impact relationships in unique and challenging ways.

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Extramarital Affairs Daniel Dashnaw Extramarital Affairs Daniel Dashnaw

Infidelity practices around the world

As a couples therapist, I am often spellbound by the intriguing and sometimes amusing world of relationships.

One aspect that never fails to intrigue me is how different cultures handle infidelity.

From covert operations to outright drama, let's take a peek into a few infidelity practices from around the globe.

But let’s explore not just the practices, but also the cultural underpinnings that might lie behind these differences.

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Couples Therapy Daniel Dashnaw Couples Therapy Daniel Dashnaw

3 Couples Therapy Models: Gottman Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and the Developmental Model

A well-trained couples therapist, will delve deeply into the theoretical foundations, techniques, and outcomes associated with different therapeutic models to effectively tailor interventions to the needs of each couple.

In this post, we will explore Gottman Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy in detail.

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

The surprising link between a father’s age and a child’s risk of bipolar disorder, ADHD, and autism

Recent research has uncovered a startling connection between the age of fathers and the increased risk of their children developing certain mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, ADHD, and autism.

This revelation has profound implications for both public health policies and individual family planning decisions.

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

Sex in your 40s

Sex in your 40s can be a richly fulfilling experience, offering opportunities to rediscover passion and deepen intimacy with your partner.

While this stage of life brings its own set of challenges, it also presents unique moments for enhanced pleasure and connection.

This post explores the various facets of sex in your 40s, enriched with insights from classic sex therapy.

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How to Fight Fair Daniel Dashnaw How to Fight Fair Daniel Dashnaw

Emotional Shutdowns: how to communicate when your partner clams up

Ever feel like you’re talking to a wall when your partner emotionally shuts down?

Being ready for a heart-to-heart while your spouse has mentally checked out can be incredibly frustrating.

This common relationship hiccup often stems from underlying emotional triggers, so don’t take it personally.

Instead, let’s consider the reasons behind these shutdowns and how to keep the lines of communication open, all while keeping your sanity intact.

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

Social Media and Attention Fragmentation

In today's digital age, attention fragmentation has become increasingly relevant as our lives become more intertwined with technology.

Constant digital distractions significantly challenge the ability to maintain focus and bestow attention, which has profound implications for children's cognitive and emotional development.

Jonathan Haidt, a renowned social psychologist, has extensively explored these implications, mainly focusing on the perilous effects on teenagers, especially young girls.

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

The emotional and cognitive deficits of a phone-based childhood

In the age of smartphones and social media, the landscape of childhood has undergone a seismic shift since 2012.

No longer is the playground the central hub of social interaction for children; instead, screens and virtual connections dominate their time.

This shift has brought with it a host of concerns about the developmental impacts of a phone-based childhood.

Central to this discussion is the research of Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist who has extensively studied the effects of social media and smartphones on child development.

Haidt's findings highlight the profound and often detrimental effects that pervasive technology use can have on young minds.

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

ADHD Couples Therapy: in-depth tasks and strategies

Couples therapy is inherently complex, but when one partner has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), the challenges intensify.

It's vital for therapists to comprehend the unique difficulties and strengths ADHD introduces into a relationship.

This post describes essential tasks and strategies for fostering a robust and satisfying relationship when one partner has ADHD, drawing from the latest research in the field.

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

The Wandering Mind: understanding its consolations, benefits, and treatments

Imagine you're in a meeting, and suddenly, you're daydreaming about that beach vacation or pondering life's mysteries. Your mind has taken a detour — a phenomenon known as mind wandering.

Research indicates that up to half of our daily thoughts involve some form of mind wandering.

While this can be frustrating, it's not always a bad thing. Let's delve deeper into the symptoms, benefits, and potential treatments for a wandering mind.

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