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

Flamping: A Family Adventure in the Pursuit of Awe

Imagine landing your small plane on a remote airstrip, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

As the engine cools and the sun begins to set, you and your family pitch tents beside the aircraft, surrounded by nothing but nature's grandeur.

This is "flamping"—a blend of flying and camping that offers not just an adventure, but a deeply enriching family experience.

But flamping is more than just a getaway.

It’s a journey into the heart of awe, a powerful emotion that can transform how we see ourselves and each other.

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Attachment Issues Daniel Dashnaw Attachment Issues Daniel Dashnaw

What is Circle of Security Parenting? A Review of the book "Raising a Secure Child"

If you're a parent, you've probably heard that building a secure relationship with your child is one of the best things you can do for them. But how exactly do you go about doing that?

That’s where the Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) model comes in.

It’s a simple yet powerful way to help parents understand and meet their child’s emotional needs.

In the book Raising a Secure Child, authors Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, and Bert Powell walk us through this model, offering practical advice on how to raise children who feel safe, loved, and ready to take on the world.

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Why Men Marry: A Deep Dive into Social, Cultural, and Psychological Factors

Why do men marry? To answer this question, I’ll discuss related themes like love, commitment, societal expectations, and cultural variations, with a special focus on how attachment theory intersects with cultural influences.

Marriage, a timeless institution, has been the cornerstone of societies for centuries.

While the reasons men marry can vary widely, understanding the underlying motivations requires a deep dive into social, cultural, and psychological factors.

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

The Evolution of Language in International Adoption: Embracing Positive Adoption Language

Language is a powerful tool that shapes our perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes. In the context of international adoption, the words and phrases we use profoundly impact how adoption is understood and experienced by all parties involved.

Over the years, the language surrounding adoption has undergone significant changes, reflecting broader societal shifts towards inclusivity, sensitivity, and a deeper understanding of the complexities of adoption.

This post explores the evolution of language in international adoption, with a particular focus on the adoption of Positive Adoption Language (PAL).

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

Understanding Autism: Signs in Babies, Children, and Adults

As a couples therapist specializing in neurodiverse families , I know how important it is to recognize and understand the signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) early on.

Whether you're a concerned parent, a supportive partner, or someone looking to expand your understanding, this guide provides an approachable overview of the signs of autism across different stages of life.

Early intervention is key to helping those on the spectrum reach their full potential.

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

The Rising Tide of Anti-Establishment Sentiments: A Threat to the Global Psyche and Community Well-being

In an age where the world seems to be spinning faster than ever, it’s no wonder many of us feel a growing sense of unease.

Whether it’s the pandemic, Monkey Pox, West Nile virus, political turmoil, economic instability, or the looming specter of climate change, threats seem to come from every direction.

This pervasive anxiety is not just a personal burden—it’s a virus that infects families and communities, manifesting in the form of anti-establishment attitudes.

I have a deep concern for the mental health of the American people, it’s crucial to understand how these sentiments are taking root and what we can do to mitigate their spread.

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

Sleep: The Ultimate Cheat Code for Skill Mastery (and Maybe Even Your Golf Swing)

When it comes to mastering new skills, most of us are familiar with the age-old advice: “Practice makes perfect.”

But what if I told you that practice is only part of the equation?

And that the other part—perhaps the most critical one—has been right under your pillow all along?

That’s right, folks, I’m talking about sleep, that magical brain hack that not only keeps us from turning into sleep-deprived zombies but also supercharges our motor skills.

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

Understanding Sex Differences in Mental Health for Improved Therapy Outcomes

As a marriage and family therapist dedicated to enhancing the well-being of American families, I find the recent findings from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences both enlightening and directly relevant to our work in couples and family therapy.

The study uncovers significant sex-related differences in the brain's subcortical gray matter—areas like the hippocampus, thalamus, and amygdala, which are pivotal for memory, emotion regulation, and sensory processing. Let's jump in!

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

Who Talks First? The Critical Role of Social Imitation With Neurodiverse partners

Imagine trying to dance with someone when the music playing in your head doesn't match theirs.

This is a bit like what happens in social interactions involving neurodivergent individuals, especially those on the autism spectrum.

The latest research, published in Social Neuroscience, uncovers fascinating insights into how high-functioning autistic folks engage in social imitation tasks.

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

New Mother… New Brain

As a marriage and family therapist with a deep interest in how life transitions impact family dynamics, I find the recent research on motherhood and brain changes particularly fascinating.

The breaking study published in Scientific Reports by Rotondi et al. (2024) adds a compelling layer to our understanding of how the experience of motherhood goes beyond emotional shifts, actually transforming the brain in ways that could protect against age-related decline.

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Under Pressure: How Sexual Performance Anxiety Affects Us All and What We Can Do About It

Sexual performance anxiety is like that uninvited guest who shows up at the worst possible time.

It’s something many of us have faced, yet its impact on relationships often remains unspoken.

But here’s the thing: sexual performance anxiety isn’t just a “men’s issue,” and it’s not something we should sweep under the rug.

So, let’s explore what sexual performance anxiety really means, how it plays out differently for men and women, and most importantly, what we can do to keep it from hijacking our love lives.

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Attachment Issues Daniel Dashnaw Attachment Issues Daniel Dashnaw

The Impact of Insecure Attachment to Fathers on Mental Health: Understanding the Roots and Finding Our Way Forward

Attachment plays a fundamental role in our emotional well-being, influencing how we navigate relationships and cope with life’s ups and downs.

When it comes to the bond between fathers and their children, especially during those crucial adolescent years, the quality of that connection can have lasting effects on mental health.

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