Parenting with Presence: Practices for Raising Conscious, Confident, Caring Kids by Susan Stiffelman is a comprehensive and transformative guide that delves into the heart of conscious parenting.

In an era where the pressures of modern life can often overwhelm parents, Stiffelman’s approach offers a beacon of hope and practical wisdom.

By weaving together mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and the latest social science research, she provides a roadmap for parents to foster deeper connections with their children while simultaneously engaging in personal growth.

I get a lot of complaints about pornography use in my practice.

As a science-based couples therapist, understanding the neural mechanisms of associative learning related to internet-use behaviors such as porn can be invaluable in clinical practice.

This recent study, which shows that pornographic stimuli elicit stronger reward responses in the brain compared to monetary and gaming stimuli, provides important insights that can be leveraged in therapeutic settings.

In a world of rising Cultural Narcissism, maintaining a healthy relationship can be challenging.

With the increasing pressures of work, family, and societal expectations, it's no wonder that couples often find themselves struggling to keep their relationships on track.

Couples therapy, often seen as a last resort, is actually a powerful tool that can help partners reconnect, improve communication, and address underlying issues before they become insurmountable.

This modest guide explores the benefits of couples therapy, various therapeutic approaches—including hopeful spouse counseling—and provides practical advice for navigating the complexities of relationship challenges.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a unique and highly effective approach to couples therapy that focuses on creating secure emotional bonds and strengthening attachment between partners.

Developed by thought leaders Les Greenberg and Sue Johnson in the 1980s, EFT is rooted in the understanding that emotional connection is essential for relationship health.

Unlike Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which primarily targets changing thought patterns and behaviors, EFT delves into the emotional experiences and needs that drive relationship dynamics, aiming to transform negative cycles into positive, secure patterns.

This deep focus on emotions makes EFT especially powerful in helping couples resolve conflicts, rebuild trust, and develop lasting emotional intimacy.

In a world where consumerism often dictates our understanding of success, the pursuit of financial independence can seem like a distant dream.

However, true financial freedom is not just for the exceptionally wealthy or those with extraordinary incomes.

Drawing on the groundbreaking research of Dr. Thomas Stanley, author of The Millionaire Next Door, and insights from couples therapy, this blog post explores how couples can build lasting financial security while strengthening their relationships.

It’s a skill to learn to fight well and repair relationship conflict before they spiral out of control.

It’s one of the goal of science-based couples therapy. The ability to make an effective repair with your life partner is an essential life skill.

Do you find your fights escalating out of control? That pattern, if left unchanged, creates lasting damage to a marriage.

What is a repair attempt?

Deciding whether to stay in a relationship is one of the most challenging and emotionally charged decisions anyone can face.

The question, "Should I stay in my relationship?" often arises when folks feel unsure about the future or when issues seem insurmountable.

This blog post aims to guide you through the process of evaluating your relationship, using insights from social science research to help you make a reasonably informed decision.

Let's jump in!

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be "lucky in love"?

It’s a phrase we hear often, but what does it actually entail? Is it just a whimsical notion, or is there a science behind it?

As it turns out, the concept of being lucky in love is more than just a romantic ideal—it’s a topic that researchers have explored in depth.

Is there a science to being lucky in love?

Ever wonder what makes you attractive? Researchers wonder too. Dr. René Proyer from the Institute of Psychology at MLU claims that his recent research has uncovered the secret of being attractive.

And it’s Playfulness.

Playfulness is what makes you attractive. According to Dr. Proyer, it’s is one of the most charming ways of engaging with others.

Welcome to the purgatory of merciless self-examination.

You got caught cheating. Infidelity is an ancient weakness. It’s a sin that takes up 20% of the 10 commandments: one commandment against doing it, and the other commandment against just even thinking about doing it.

You’ll come to experience true remorse, but right now you just regret getting in trouble.

I’ll tell you that you’ve got a lot of arduous work ahead of you. Your old marriage is dead, and, because you both want to heal, you might have a chance at redemption.

Emotional gridlock is a pervasive issue that can sabotage even the most committed relationships, leading to a cycle of frustration, resentment, and emotional disconnection.

Understanding the root causes and dynamics of emotional gridlock is crucial for couples seeking to break free from this destructive pattern.

This post will explore the concept of emotional gridlock, exploring its origins, the psychological theories that explain it, and practical strategies for overcoming it.

In the toxic and deadly realm of domestic violence, the nature of abuse varies significantly depending on the personality and behavior of the abuser.

Not all abusers are the same, and understanding the distinctions can be crucial for both recognizing the signs of abuse and implementing effective strategies for escape.

According to ground-breaking research by Neil Jacobson, Ph.D., and John Gottman, Ph.D., detailed in their seminal book When Men Batter Women (Simon and Schuster, 1998), there are two distinct types of abusive husbands: the "Cobras" and the "Pit Bulls."

This post will focus on the former—the Cobra husbands—and the calm and deadly ways they regulate and control their partners.