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 with an international practice.
I write about what happens to desire, attachment, and meaning once the early myths stop working.
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. I'm accepting new clients, and this blog is for the benefit of all my gentle readers.
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, l'd love to hear from you. Let's explore the scope of work you'd like to do together.
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 l've been sharing for years.
- Attachment Issues
- Coronavirus
- Couples Therapy
- Extramarital Affairs
- Family Life and Parenting
- How to Fight Fair
- Inlaws and Extended Families
- Intercultural Relationships
- Marriage and Mental Health
- Married Life & Intimate Relationships
- Neurodiverse Couples
- Separation & Divorce
- Signs of Trouble
- Social Media and Relationships
- What Happy Couples Know
The Psychology of Sugar Dating: Transactional Love in a Culture of Narcissism
Sugar dating.
On the surface, it’s a relationship dynamic where financial support and companionship intermingle in a way that feels almost too fitting for our age of hyper-materialism.
But peel back the layers, and sugar arrangements reveal deeper, more troubling questions about power, agency, and the commodification of intimacy.
Recent research published in The Journal of Sex Research provides a closer look at sugar dating’s realities.
While it attempts to explore the motivations and nuances of these arrangements, it inadvertently shines a light on the unsettling cultural forces that normalize them.
Early Screen Time and Autism: —Your Toddler’s Tablet Isn’t to Blame
If you’ve been eyeing your toddler’s tablet time like it’s a ticking time bomb for their development, a new study has some reassuring news: early screen time doesn’t cause autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The research, published in JAMA Pediatrics, initially hinted at a link between screen exposure and ASD but later found the real culprits to be lurking elsewhere—namely, socioeconomic factors.
Let’s dive into the details, sprinkle in some humor, and unpack what this means for families everywhere.
Autism and the Screen Time Panic: A Primer
8 Reasons Why ADHD Diagnoses Are on the Rise (And Why It’s Not as Simple as You Think)
Once upon a time, ADHD was seen as something affecting about 5–6% of kids, mostly the ones who couldn't sit still in class or remember to turn in their homework.
Fast forward to today, and the numbers are painting a different story.
The CDC estimates ADHD affects 11.4% of children, and in Sweden, 10.5% of boys and 6% of girls were diagnosed in 2022—a whopping 50% increase since 2019. Experts predict these numbers will keep climbing until they plateau around 15% for boys and 11% for girls.
So what’s going on? Is ADHD really spreading like pumpkin spice in autumn, or is something else at play?
Here are eight reasons ADHD diagnoses are skyrocketing—and they’re more interconnected than a messy ball of yarn.
Nietzsche and Hustle Culture: What the Übermensch Can Teach Us About the Grind
Imagine this: Friedrich Nietzsche, the brooding 19th-century philosopher, is scrolling through Instagram.
He stumbles across a post that reads, “Rise and grind, kings. You have the same 24 hours as Beyoncé.”
Somewhere in the afterlife, Nietzsche flips his metaphorical table. “Is this what my philosophy has become?” he growls, his magnificent mustache quivering in existential despair.
Welcome to hustle culture, where every day is Monday, and sleep is for the weak.
Nietzsche might not have been a motivational speaker (although, honestly, I’d attend that TED Talk), but his ideas on the “will to power” have accidentally become a spiritual rallying cry for anyone with a coffee addiction and a dream.
Let’s unpack how the philosopher of life’s ultimate meaning might feel about your 5 a.m. cold plunges and LinkedIn flexes.
Supporting Parents Through Couples Therapy: Navigating Life with a Child with a Genetic Disorder
Parenting is one of life’s most profound experiences, but when a child is born with a genetic disorder, the journey can become unexpectedly complex.
Couples therapy tailored to the unique needs of parents raising children with genetic conditions provides essential support to help families thrive despite the challenges.
This post explores the emotional and relational impact on these parents and how science-based couples therapy can strengthen their connection.
Understanding 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: One of the Most Common Genetic Disorders
22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, also known as DiGeorge Syndrome or velocardiofacial syndrome, is a genetic condition that touches every aspect of life for those affected and their families.
Though it’s one of the most common chromosomal deletion syndromes, affecting about 1 in 4,000 live births, its complexities are often misunderstood or under-discussed.
In this post, we will explore the symptoms, causes, treatments, and emotional realities of living with this condition.
What is 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome?
The Complex Relationship Between Narcissistic Traits, Depression, and Suicide Risk: A Deeper Look
When life feels like a heavy weight, our mental health can suffer in ways we may not even fully understand.
For those living with pathological narcissism—a personality construct marked by fragile self-esteem and emotional instability—this struggle can become even more complicated.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Cognitive Therapy sheds light on how two dimensions of narcissism, vulnerable and grandiose, shape the link between depression and suicidal ideation.
The findings reveal an important nuance: folks with high levels of vulnerable narcissism are more susceptible to suicidal thoughts when experiencing depression, while grandiosity—a trait often seen as a shield against emotional pain—can either amplify or diminish this risk depending on the context.
Love, Lust, and the Power of Partnership: Why Men in Relationships Have the Edge in the Bedroom
Here’s the thing about sex: it’s not just about the fireworks—it’s about who’s holding the lighter.
A groundbreaking study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior has revealed what many might secretly suspect but rarely admit: men in relationships, regardless of sexual orientation, are having a better time in the sack than their single brethren.
Yes, gentlemen, that smug glow your partnered friends have? It’s not just the new skincare routine—it’s better sexual functioning.
Let’s unpack this, but fair warning, we’re going deep.
Why American Parents Find Spanking Acceptable but Hitting Pets Unthinkable
Spanking occupies a peculiar place in American parenting.
Despite decades of research condemning it as harmful and ineffective, it remains a widely accepted method of discipline in American families.
Contrast this with American societal attitudes toward hitting pets: a behavior largely seen as reprehensible and inhumane.
What does it say about a culture that prioritizes the physical safety and emotional well-being of animals over its youngest and most vulnerable members?
A recent study published in Psychology of Violence by Elizabeth T. Gershoff and her team delves into this paradox, revealing the deep contradictions and cultural norms that shape how Americans view spanking.
This research not only highlights the contested terrain of corporal punishment but also raises uncomfortable questions about the values embedded in the nation’s parenting practices.
The Lifelong Impact of Neglect: How Support and Socioeconomic Status Can Rewrite the Story
Childhood is the foundation of our lives, shaping not only who we are but also our long-term health and well-being.
For children who experience neglect, these foundational years can be a battleground of unmet needs and vulnerabilities.
However, recent research provides a hopeful counterpoint: the presence of a protective adult and socioeconomic stability can dramatically alter this trajectory, mitigating the profound effects of childhood neglect.
As family and couples therapists, we often witness how early experiences reverberate through adult lives. Understanding the interplay between neglect, resilience, and healing offers a roadmap for fostering healthier relationships and communities.
The Delightful Chaos of AudHD: Navigating the Contradictions with Style
If you’re rocking both autism and ADHD, welcome to the club where our brains throw the kind of dance party that’s equal parts jazz improv and dubstep chaos.
Having AudHD isn’t just a diagnosis; it’s a lifestyle.
And like any lifestyle worth living, it comes with its own quirks, superpowers, and the occasional “Wait, how do I work this brain?” existential crisis.
Let’s dive into the wonderfully contradictory world of AudHD traits.
7 Things a Narcissistic Partner Cannot Stand to Hear
Living with a narcissistic partner can feel like walking a tightrope.
They thrive on control, validation, and the assumption that their needs come first.
When you set boundaries or refuse their demands, you challenge their worldview—and they don’t take kindly to it.
Here are 7 things a narcissistic partner absolutely cannot stand to hear, and why these statements are your secret weapon for maintaining your autonomy.