Imagine growing up with a crown placed on your head, constantly praised, celebrated, and seen as the family's shining star. While it might sound like a dream, the role of the golden child often comes with hidden costs, leaving deep emotional wounds.

The term golden child narcissism captures a complex dynamic where excessive praise and idealization lead to a distorted self-image, creating a person who struggles with boundaries, empathy, and self-worth.

Navigating life with AuADHD—a blend of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—creates a set of experiences that are both richly complex and uniquely challenging.

This intersection shapes how people interact with the world, their passions, and themselves. Let’s dive deeper into ten essential traits of AuADHD, offering insights grounded in research, with a warm and compassionate approach that recognizes the strengths as well as the struggles.

Dating someone on the autism spectrum brings opportunities for connection that are as unique as they are meaningful.

While traditional date ideas might not always suit the sensory needs and communication styles of autistic folks, adapting your approach can create deeper, more rewarding experiences.

This post will explore how to make date nights with an autistic partner truly special—from finding the right environment to understanding their emotional expression and valuing their straightforward honesty.

With a focus on empathy, patience, and genuine interest, you can build a relationship that celebrates each other’s differences and creates moments of joy.

We’ve all encountered the quirky genius—the type who knows everything about astrophysics but might struggle with, say, making small talk at a party.

This raises an interesting question: can a high IQ mask autism, making it hard for even the sharpest eyes to spot? The answer is yes.

But there’s a lot more to it, as the relationship between intelligence and autistic traits reveals. Let’s dig into this topic with a solid grounding in research.

Ever look back on your childhood and think, "Ah, that's why I did that"?

If you’re on the autism spectrum, those quirks and habits that puzzled everyone—maybe even you—might finally be adding up.

Now that you’ve got a name for them, those past experiences suddenly seem... well, less "weird" and more "uniquely you."

Let’s take a fun, hopeful stroll down memory lane with these 10 traits that baffled others back then but make perfect sense now, all backed by science.

We all know that feeling when stress hits: heart racing, palms sweaty, mind racing through your to-do list at warp speed.

For some, it's sheer panic.

But for others, particularly some folks with ADHD, it’s like a magical door swings open, revealing their inner superhero.

A new study suggests that for some people with ADHD, periods of high stress aren’t just manageable—they’re actually where they thrive.

As a couples therapist, I often see parallels between the challenges faced by my clients and those encountered by athletes on their journey to success.

This post explores the unique experiences of athletes—categorized as "Super Champions," "Champions," and "Almosts"—as they navigate the winding path to the top of their sports.

Understanding these differences offers insight into the resilience, psychological fortitude, and mindset that can make or break success, whether on the playing field or in relationships.

Autism is often misunderstood, particularly when it comes to how it manifests in women. Unlike the more visible traits seen in men, autistic women tend to exhibit subtler characteristics that can easily be overlooked or misinterpreted.

As a result, many women remain undiagnosed until later in life, missing out on support that could have made a big difference.

This article discusses 15 lesser-known traits of autism in women, providing insights based on research to help improve understanding and promote acceptance of neurodiversity.

Being a couples therapist in Boston is like navigating a maze of historic streets—each turn reveals a new surprise, and the quirks of the city are reflected in the lives of its residents.

From the hip, artistic vibe of the South End to the old-money elegance of Beacon Hill, and the intellectual haven of Cambridge, every couple brings their own brand of Bostonian charm and challenges.

Their arguments are as varied as the city's neighborhoods, but the need for connection, understanding, and a little validation ties them all together.

Here are 7 tales of love, frustration, and the unique flavor of Boston relationships that keep my virtual therapy couch well-worn and my coffee mug never empty.

There’s something undeniably thrilling about stepping into a haunted house or settling in for a scary movie night. The screams, the heart-pounding moments, and the laughter that follows—they all make us feel more alive.

And it’s not just a seasonal thing.

Halloween attractions company America Haunts estimates that Americans shell out over $500 millioneach year just to get spooked at haunted houses.

The fascination with fear doesn’t stop when Halloween ends, either. Many of us keep that adrenaline flowing year-round with horror movies, TV shows, and books that make us jump.

But why do we willingly subject ourselves to fright when the real world already has plenty of scares—think school shootings, climate disasters, and other unsettling events?

As a marriage and family therapist, I find this phenomenon pretty fascinating. It turns out, our love for a good scare is rooted in some deep psychological and social needs.

Is it just your partner's quirks that make or break your relationship, or could the real key be... you?

Well, buckle up, because fresh research suggests that your own personality might be calling the shots in your love life more than you think.

A study published in Personality & Individual Differences finds that who you are—especially your quirks, anxieties, and, yes, how well you remember to put the toilet seat down—can make a bigger impact on your long-term relationship satisfaction than anything your partner does. (I know, it's a lot to take in.)

In today’s world, where self-promotion and individualism are celebrated, cultural narcissism has reached new heights.

This shift has blurred the lines between "normal" and antisocial behaviors, making traits once deemed dangerous now appear almost mainstream.

As a marriage and family therapist, I often witness how society's acceptance of narcissistic behaviors complicates our understanding of psychopathy and sociopathy.

Let’s explore the differences between these terms and how cultural trends may be contributing to their normalization.