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
Is your diet leading to depression? Unveiling the impact of high-fat foods and the power of fruits
Recent research has revealed a troubling connection between high-fat diets and depression.
Fatty acids, when consumed in excess, enter the brain through the bloodstream and accumulate in the hypothalamus, a critical brain region that affects mood regulation.
This buildup interferes with brain signals associated with depression, providing insight into why obesity and depression often coexist.
In a groundbreaking study, mice were fed a diet consisting of 60% saturated and unsaturated fats.
After just three weeks, these mice exhibited signs of depressive behavior.
Weekly check-in questions for couples
Love isn't just about finding the perfect partner and living happily ever after.
It requires effort, communication, and a willingness to address issues before they escalate.
One effective way to maintain a strong and healthy relationship is by conducting regular weekly check-ins with your partner.
Concrete couples counseling questions
Navigating intimate relationships can be as thrilling as it is challenging.
Couples therapy can be a fantastic way to untangle the knots of complex issues, fix communication breakdowns, set relationship goals, and ultimately strengthen your bond.
If you’re new to couples counseling, you might be curious about the questions that will pop up during sessions or the ones you should bring to the table.
Here’s a deep dive into some essential and thought-provoking concrete couples counseling questions to get you started.
How to end a marriage
Our culture often views divorce as a failure, especially when it involves infidelity.
Longevity is seen as the ultimate indicator of marital success, but many people who stayed "till death do us part" have been miserable.
When a relationship has run its course, I strive to help it end with dignity and integrity. I see no contradiction in asking a couple about the success of their breakup.
Genius and Aspergers
The relationship between genius and Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is a topic that has intrigued scientists, historians, and the general public alike.
High-functioning Asperger's, a condition on the autism spectrum, is often characterized by intense focus, exceptional memory, and deep passion for specific subjects—traits that can contribute to extraordinary achievements in various fields.
This post considers the nuanced connection between high-functioning Asperger's and genius, highlighting the contributions of folks who may have bridged these two realms.
Is eloping making a comeback?
Eloping, the act of running away to get married, has long been cloaked in an air of romance and rebellion.
For centuries, couples have chosen this path for various reasons, ranging from escaping familial opposition to seeking a more intimate and differentiated ceremony.
As a couples therapist with a keen interest in the social sciences, exploring the history and psychological underpinnings of elopement offers valuable insights into its enduring appeal and evolving role in modern relationships.
Is eloping making a comeback?
Eyes Wide or Narrow: What your gaze reveals about your emotions
As a couples therapist, I often hear the phrase, "The eyes are the windows to the soul."
But did you know that those windows can reveal an astonishing amount about a person's emotions?
Recent research suggests that the way people widen or narrow their eyes can tell us volumes about what they're feeling.
Let's explore the science behind this fascinating phenomenon and compare it to our well-documented struggle to detect lies.
Hypersexual Test: Are you more than just a little kinky?
Hypersexuality is a topic often shrouded in mystery, stigma, and misconceptions.
While many might joke about having an insatiable sexual appetite, hypersexuality is a serious issue that can wreak havoc on one’s life, much like any other addiction.
With the rise of digital culture and the easy availability of explicit content, understanding and identifying sex addiction has become more critical than ever.
This quiz aims to help you determine whether your sexual behaviors might be veering into addictive territory, while also exploring how Cultural Narcissism plays a role in this modern-day affliction.
Twice Exceptional Schools vs. Schools for Gifted Students
When exploring educational options for advanced learners, parents and educators often encounter the terms "twice exceptional schools" and "schools for gifted students."
While both cater to high-potential students, they serve distinct populations and employ different educational strategies.
This post explores the differences between these two types of schools and provides a list of iconic institutions in the USA that excel in catering to gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) students.
Raising GT Kids: Nurturing gifted and talented children
Parenting is already a heroic journey, but parenting GT kids? That’s an epic quest worthy of its own mythology.
As a spiritually-oriented marriage and family therapist, I’d like to take a more nuanced stance toward nurturing your gifted and talented (GT) children.
What is Dopamine Fasting? Adventures in modern monasticism
Greetings, gentle reader! Today, we're diving into the curious world of "dopamine fasting," a trend that might sound like it belongs in a sci-fi novel or a self-help seminar, but is, in fact, a real practice gaining traction in our hyper-connected, dopamine-drenched society.
Dopamine fasting is a practice in which folks intentionally avoid activities that trigger the release of dopamine, the brain's "feel-good" neurotransmitter.
The goal? To reset the brain's reward system, reduce dependence on instant gratification, and, ultimately, regain control over one's life and happiness.
Think of it as a mental detox or a digital sabbatical. But are we misunderstanding the science?
Internal Family Systems Criticism (IFS): A Science-Based Couples Therapist's Perspective
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a novel approach to psychotherapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz.
This model posits that our psyche comprises various sub-personalities or "parts," each with unique perspectives and roles.
IFS therapy helps folks to harmonize these parts, fostering internal balance and healing.
This process has peaked interest for individual therapy.
It has profound implications for external family systems, as understanding and integrating our internal parts can significantly improve how we relate to others.