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.

 

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

The connection between borderline personality disorder and eating disorders

Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition characterized by emotional instability, impulsive behavior, and intense interpersonal relationships.

BPD frequently co-occurs with various eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Understanding the interplay between BPD and eating disorders is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies.

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

Intuitive Eating: The secret to a happier, healthier mind

Ever wondered if your eating habits could be the key to better mental health? Turns out, they might be!

Research shows that people who eat intuitively are less likely to suffer from depression and other mental health issues.

So, what exactly is intuitive eating? It's all about eating when you're hungry and stopping when you're full. Sounds simple, right? It’s the opposite of dieting or restricting food intake, which can lead to a host of problems.

We all start life as intuitive eaters—babies cry when they're hungry and stop when they're full. But over the years, social conditioning messes with this natural instinct.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

The Empathy Crisis: Why Americans are caring less and what we can do about it

Concern and care for others' feelings are virtues we seek to instill in our children, yet they are sorely lacking in many adult Americans today.

Scientific research supports the notion that Americans care less for others and more about themselves.

Sara Konrath, PhD, an associate professor of philanthropic studies at Indiana University and director of the Interdisciplinary Program on Empathy and Altruism Research, has a lot to say about where we are as a culture right now.

Let’s discuss why empathy is declining and what we can do to increase kindness and compassion in our communities.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

The persistence of narcissism through time: Can couples therapy help?

If you’re hoping that the narcissist in your life will change, a new study suggests you may have to wait a very long time. And even then, the change might be minimal.

A study published in the journal Psychological Bulletin analyzed 51 studies with more than 37,000 participants from North America, Europe, and New Zealand. The research explored how narcissism changes over a person’s lifespan.

While the researchers found that narcissism gradually declined with age, “the results show that this decline is not as large as one might hope,” said Ulrich Orth, the lead author and a professor of developmental psychology at the University of Bern in Switzerland.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

How Narcissists Grieve the Death of a Loved One

Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and often excruciating experience.

But what happens when a narcissist is faced with such a profound life event?

The grieving process for folks with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) can be markedly different from that of others, shaped by their unique psychological makeup.

Understanding how narcissists grieve can shed light on their behavior and offer pathways for ways to offer compassion and support.

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

The Hidden impact of relationship quality on depression

Approximately 16% of people in the United States experience depression at some point in their lives.

New research reveals a startling connection: folks with the lowest quality relationships are at double the risk of developing depression.

Two critical relationship patterns contribute to this increased risk:

Having an unsupportive partner and having a partner under social strain.

Social strain often involves the pressures of working hard to achieve a certain lifestyle, such as owning a house, driving a nice car, or taking vacations.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

Weird things psychopaths do

Psychopaths enjoy an undeserved reputation as evil geniuses. In reality, they aren't all that smart, though they can be surprisingly subtle, especially when they’re female.

Their willingness to lie and manipulate to get what they want is chilling, yet intriguing.

In this blog, I’ll review a dozen psychological studies on psychopathy, revealing their personality traits, dark secrets, and why some psychopaths can be relatively successful.

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When Two Narcissists Fall in Love: a match made in mirror heaven

Imagine a world where mirrors are worshipped, selfies are a form of currency, and admiration is the ultimate aphrodisiac.

Now, step into the realm of romance between two narcissists.

Yes, it's a thing, and it's as fascinating as it is complex.

As a couples therapist, I've seen the dizzying highs and tumultuous lows of such relationships. Let's dive into this dazzling dance of love, ego, and self-adoration.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

Unmasking the Nice Guy Narcissist: 12 traits to watch out for

Let’s discuss the elusive Nice Guy Narcissist.

This charming specimen seems perfect on the surface—attentive, caring, and oh-so-polite. But as you look deeper, you might notice that there's something off about this seemingly perfect gentleman.

Let's dive into the 12 traits that define the Nice Guy Narcissist, shedding light on how to spot him early on.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

12 Traits of Narcissism

Narcissism, often misunderstood and misrepresented, is an annoying and problematic personality trait.

While the term "narcissist" is frequently thrown around in popular culture, true narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a serious condition that affects how sufferers perceive themselves and interact with intimate others.

Understanding the 12 foundational traits of narcissism can help identify and address this disorder effectively.

Here, we’ll explore the 12 most prominent traits of narcissism, supported by social science research.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

Understanding the Single Inventory Narcissism Score (SINS)

The Single Inventory Narcissism Score (SINS) is a psychological tool designed to measure narcissistic traits using just one straightforward question.

Unlike the more extensive Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), which includes multiple questions, SINS offers a quick and simple assessment.

Why does this one question work so well in detecting narcissism?

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

Estranged Father-Daughter Relationships

Estranged father-daughter relationships represent a complex and often painful dynamic within families.

Estrangement, defined as the physical and emotional distancing between family members due to unresolved conflicts or significant differences, affects a substantial number of families.

Let’s explore these estranged relationships, and consider the latest research and insights from thought leaders in the field.

I’ll also discuss the causes and consequences of father-daughter estrangement and potential pathways for reconciliation.

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