The concept of sexual autonomy within committed relationships has captured significant attention in our modern American relationship discourse.

By emphasizing individual freedom to explore sexual identities and desires, this approach challenges traditional monogamy.

While some hail it as a pathway to deeper authenticity and relational satisfaction, others remain skeptical about its practical and emotional implications.

As a couples therapist, I find myself grappling with the social pitfalls of this trend.

Add in considerations like paternity, evolutionary psychology, and emotional security, and the waters get even murkier.

Sexual Autonomy: What Is It?

Evidence-based couples therapy for military personnel, veterans, and first responders addresses a profoundly unique set of challenges.

These relationships often endure intense external pressures, from prolonged separations to the lasting impact of trauma.

Therapists specializing in this niche are trained to navigate the intersection of occupational demands, cultural expectations, and relational needs, creating a pathway to resilience and connection for couples in high-stress careers.

Suzanne Goh, M.D., is a prominent pediatric neurologist and advocate for understanding and supporting folks with autism.

Her work focuses on uncovering the neurobiological underpinnings of autism, emphasizing the need for individualized and compassionate care.

I’m a huge fan of her thinking, especially as applied to traditional family therapy models, such as Strategic and Structural family therapies.

In this post, I’ll offer a brief overview of her contributions and ideas on autism and family therapy.

Every couple has that one story—the story.

The time you went to the family reunion and had two wildly different experiences.

You thought it was a perfectly pleasant affair (sure, Aunt Marge talked too much about her cats), but your partner came home feeling steamrolled by subtle digs from your dad.

And while you’re scratching your head, wondering if you both attended the same event, they’re retreating into silence.

Or worse, picking a fight about how you didn’t “have their back.”

This isn’t just a misunderstanding—it might be something much bigger, sneakier, and ultimately more dangerous: relationship parallax.

If you’ve ever felt a twinge in your side, Googled your symptoms, and spiraled into a rabbit hole of rare diseases, congratulations—you’ve had a brush with cyberchondria.

This modern phenomenon combines the age-old anxieties of hypochondria with the limitless (and occasionally terrifying) power of the internet.

But where does this behavior come from? And how has our understanding of health anxiety evolved, both culturally and clinically?

Let’s explore the history, psychology, and quirks of cyberchondria, from its connection to hypochondria to its place in today’s mental health landscape, all while keeping it warm, witty, and slightly self-deprecating. (After all, we’ve all been there.)

Demand Avoidance can be one of the most challenging aspects of parenting an autistic child.

It’s a behavior rooted in anxiety and the need for control, rather than defiance or stubbornness.

Understanding the underlying causes of demand Avoidance can help parents and caregivers respond with compassion, flexibility, and strategies tailored to their child's unique needs.

Below are 25 ways to manage demand avoidance in autistic kids, supported by recent research and insights.

Maria von Franz, the Jungian analyst who danced with archetypes as gracefully as any pioneer waltzing into uncharted territory, had plenty to say about the American psyche.

She recognized its bold ambition, its restless energy, and its tendency to declare victory long before the work is done.

But, like any good therapist, she wasn’t afraid to point out where things had gone a little… off track.

Let’s dive into her take on the American character, sprinkle in some thoughts on cultural narcissism, and maybe throw in a wink or two at our collective foibles.

In my work with neurodiverse couples, I often encourage partners to dive deeply into understanding neurodiversity and relationships. It’s not just about learning diagnostic terms or theories but fostering a shared understanding that creates space for empathy, growth, and collaboration.

One term that has surfaced repeatedly in sessions with my neurotypical clients is Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). For some, stumbling across the term has brought clarity, while for others, it’s raised even more questions.

Take one client, for instance, who shared this insight: “I read an article about PDA and started seeing some of my husband’s quirks in the description. It’s not the little things—like asking him to pick up milk—but the bigger issues, like communication and cooperation, where I feel this resistance.” This reaction is a common starting point for conversations about PDA in couples therapy.

What Is Pathological Demand Avoidance?

Peter Singer’s 1972 paper Famine, Affluence, and Morality provides a piercing critique of the moral complacency of affluent societies, yet its implications become even more striking when viewed through the lens of American Cultural Narcissism.

The United States, as a global economic and cultural powerhouse, represents a uniquely potent example of the challenges Singer identifies: the prioritization of individual desires over collective responsibility, the elevation of material success as a marker of personal worth, and the structural inertia that perpetuates global inequality.

By examining Singer’s argument within the framework of American cultural narcissism, it becomes clear that the deep-seated values of consumerism and individualism not only undermine the moral obligations Singer advocates but also create systemic barriers to addressing global suffering.

Demand avoidance, often seen in folks on the autism spectrum, can create challenges in romantic relationships, particularly when it is misunderstood or poorly managed.

Rooted in anxiety rather than defiance, this behavior reflects a deep need for autonomy, control, and emotional safety.

When misinterpreted, demand avoidance can lead to profound interpersonal misunderstandings, eroding trust and emotional intimacy between partners.

By exploring the root causes of demand avoidance and adopting research-backed strategies, couples can navigate these challenges with empathy, compassion, and mutual growth.

Adversity is a universal human experience, yet the way people narrate their struggles and triumphs varies profoundly across cultures.

A study published in the Journal of Personality & Social Psychology sheds light on this fascinating intersection of culture, storytelling, and psychological well-being.

Led by Ariana F. Turner and colleagues, the research explores how adults from Japan, Denmark, Israel, and the United States narrate difficult life events and how these narratives relate to their well-being.

This study adds depth to the concept of narrative identity, an evolving psychological framework that integrates past experiences with future aspirations to provide coherence and meaning to life.

While extensively explored in Western contexts, this research broadens the scope by examining cultural differences in narrative themes and their psychological implications.

When it comes to protecting your brain as you age, it seems grandma’s Mediterranean recipes are onto something—and not just for the flavor.

Recent research from the DIRECT PLUS trial, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests that swapping out processed junk for a Mediterranean diet—particularly one supercharged with green tea and Mankai duckweed—might keep your brain younger and sharper. This isn't just about eating well; it’s about thinking well, too.