In The USA, infidelity remains a taboo yet prevalent issue in modern relationships.

This blog post explores the latest 2024 statistics on infidelity, examining who cheats more, the underlying causes, patterns, methods, and consequences.

By understanding these trends, we can foster more open and compassionate discussions about a topic that affects many couples.

Infidelity is a core issue in science-based couples therapy. What does it look like in 2024?

Marriage is often viewed as the ultimate union of two individuals.

However, the strength of this union depends not on the dissolution of individuality but on the healthy balance between independence and togetherness.

Some of my clients have shown me how maintaining emotional independence in marriage can lead to a more fulfilling and resilient relationship.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how independence in marriage goes beyond mere physical space and encompasses freedom from sleepwalking into reactivity, addiction, and self-absorption in an increasingly anxious age.

In the arena of neurodiverse relationships, the concept of 'Cognitive Load Sharing' has recently gained prominence, particularly on social media platforms like Reddit.

This term refers to the dynamic in which partners distribute cognitive tasks and emotional responsibilities based on their strengths and weaknesses, enhancing their collective efficiency and emotional well-being.

As this concept becomes more popular, it sheds light on the unique ways neurodiverse couples can support each other and thrive together.

What is Cognitive Load Sharing?

In our ever-evolving landscape of mental health awareness, the term "attachment trauma" has gained significant traction, particularly on platforms like Reddit.

As an emerging meme, "attachment trauma" encapsulates a range of experiences and symptoms associated with early relational wounds, often resulting from inconsistent or harmful caregiving during childhood.

This term's proliferation on social media reflects a broader cultural shift in how Americans perceive and discuss psychological well-being.

What is Attachment Trauma?

As a science-based couples therapist with a Master's degree in Labor Studies, I have often witnessed firsthand the unique challenges and strengths that my neurodiverse clients bring to both their personal and professional lives.

The intersection of neurodiversity and the workplace is not just about inclusion; it’s about harnessing the incredible potential of neurodivergent minds while ensuring a harmonious work-life balance.

This is particularly crucial for the twice-exceptional neurodiverse, whose exceptional talents can be both a source of profound achievement and significant stress.

Emotional labor, once a term primarily used in sociological circles, has found its way into mainstream conversations, particularly on platforms like Reddit.

This concept, which refers to the management of one's emotions and the emotional well-being of others as part of one’s job or personal relationships, is evolving rapidly in online discussions.

Reddit, known for its diverse communities and candid exchanges, offers a unique lens through which to explore how emotional labor is understood and debated today.

In today’s deeply extractive, fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy relationship can be as challenging as navigating a minefield.

Relationship burnout, an increasingly common issue, can sneak up on even the strongest couples, leaving them feeling disconnected, exhausted, and unfulfilled.

Furthermore, your culture might be hostile to authentic intimacy. Yikes.

Understanding the signs and finding ways to address relationship fatigue is crucial for long-term happiness and connection.

Picture this: you wake up, yawn, stretch, and before your morning coffee, you engage in a little romp.

Welcome to the Icelandic approach to love and dating, affectionately termed "sex before coffee."

As an American couples therapist, I can’t help but chuckle at the idea while also pondering its cultural implications.

What could this mean for more reserved societies? And could it actually work?

Marriage, often heralded as the pinnacle of romantic commitment, can undergo a series of challenges that, if left unchecked, can lead to its decline.

Recognizing the stages of a dying marriage is crucial for both partners to address issues early and take necessary steps to potentially salvage the relationship.

This comprehensive blog post explores these stages in depth, supported by social science research and practical insights.

The declaration "marriage is dead" might sound hyperbolic, but numerous studies and cultural shifts suggest that the institution of marriage is indeed under significant threat.

From changing societal norms to economic pressures, the traditional concept of marriage and the nuclear family is evolving rapidly.

This post explores the research behind these changes, what might be supplanting marriage, and the future of the nuclear family in an age characterized by individualism and high costs of raising children.

Future faking is a manipulative tactic often used by narcissists to control and manipulate their victims.

It involves making grand promises about the future to keep the victim invested in the relationship.

By creating an illusion of a bright, shared future, the narcissist secures the victim’s commitment and compliance, all while having no intention of fulfilling these promises. This tactic plays on the victim’s hopes and dreams, making it a particularly insidious form of emotional manipulation.

Victims of narcissistic relationships often wonder if they are narcissists due to a complex interplay of psychological manipulation, emotional abuse, and self-doubt.

This confusion is particularly pervasive and troubling, leading many to seek answers and validation. Let’s dive into the detailed dynamics of narcissistic abuse.

Why victims of narcissistic partners often wonder if they are narcissists?