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.
- 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
Love in the Time of Instagram: How Unmet Needs in Relationships Fuel Social Media Addiction and Phubbing
You know that moment when your partner is scrolling Instagram while you’re pouring your heart out about your day?
That’s phubbing—the soul-crushing act of snubbing someone in favor of your smartphone. A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that this all-too-common behavior isn’t just an annoying quirk of modern life; it’s deeply connected to unmet psychological needs in relationships.
And here’s the kicker: it’s creating a vicious cycle that’s dragging intimate relationships straight into the digital abyss.
Let’s break it down, shall we?
Cracking the Code of Learning: How Autistic Adults Process the World Differently
Ever feel like your brain is juggling flaming pins during a task that’s second nature to someone else?
Well, new neuroscience research suggests that for adults with autism, this might actually describe their unique approach to learning and generalizing information.
The study, published in Autism Research, uncovers fascinating insights into how autistic adults process visual categories—and it’s not just different for the sake of being different. These distinctions could influence how we think about therapy, education, and beyond.
Escaping Reality: Understanding Maladaptive Daydreaming in Neurodivergent Adults
Our world is teeming with challenges, but daydreaming offers a fleeting escape—a moment of solace where the mind can wander freely.
However, for some, these dreams become a consuming habit that disrupts daily life.
Maladaptive daydreaming, a behavior characterized by excessive, immersive fantasies, is not just a curious phenomenon—it’s a coping mechanism, particularly for neurodivergent folks facing emotional and social struggles.
A recent study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders sheds light on the complex factors contributing to maladaptive daydreaming in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and dual diagnoses (AuDHD). The findings reveal that emotional dysregulation, internalized stigma, escapism, and self-esteem are key predictors of this behavior, offering valuable insights into its roots and potential solutions.
What Is Maladaptive Daydreaming?
Emotional Regulation in Preschool: The Early Predictor of ADHD and Conduct Problems
Picture this: a preschooler dissolves into tears because they didn’t get the red cup they wanted. At first glance, it’s a typical kid moment, right?
But what if those meltdowns keep happening, growing into bigger challenges over time? Emotional regulation—the ability to manage big feelings—plays a huge role in helping kids thrive.
When this skill doesn’t develop as expected, it can lead to struggles with ADHD, behavior issues, and even anxiety or depression.
A recent study in Development and Psychopathology shines a light on how early emotional regulation impacts kids’ mental health by age seven. Let’s unpack these findings with a mix of warmth, research, and practical insights.
What Is Emotional Regulation, and Why Does It Matter?
Sleepless but Not Hopeless: The ADHD and Sleep Disorder Connection
If you’ve ever laid awake at 3 a.m. wondering if counting sheep would help—or debating the ethics of waking your partner for company—you’re not alone.
For adults with ADHD, sleepless nights are all too common. A recent study in the Journal of Attention Disorders found that 60% of adults with ADHD report some type of sleep disorder. If you're one of them, you might feel like your brain has a "sleep switch" that’s perpetually stuck in the “on” position.
But why does ADHD seem to wreak havoc on sleep, and what can we do about it?
Let’s explore the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) connection between ADHD and sleep problems, with a dose of empathy and humor to keep things light.
ADHD and Sleep: A Recipe for Restlessness?
Sip Smart: Unsweetened Coffee and Its Surprising Brain Boost
If your daily brew leans unsweetened, your brain might just thank you.
Recent research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that unsweetened caffeinated coffee could be your secret weapon against Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and Parkinson’s disease.
Before you toss in that sugar packet, let’s unpack why your bittersweet cup might be the key to better brain health.
Coffee and Neuroprotection: What’s Brewing?
Why Reading Brains Are Different – And Why It Matters for Humanity
Have you ever wondered how reading reshapes your brain?
In a world dominated by scrolling and streaming, reading books might feel like a lost art.
But recent research reveals something fascinating: good readers actually have distinct brain structures.
This insight is more than just a fun fact—it carries profound implications for our individual lives and society.
Understanding CPS vs. PMT: Two Approaches for Parenting 2E Kids
Parenting an autistic twice-exceptional child is both a unique challenge and a profound opportunity. Every child, including those on the autism spectrum, brings their own personality, strengths, and areas where they need support.
When behavioral challenges arise, it can be overwhelming to determine the best approach.
Two evidence-based parenting models often recommended are CPS (Collaborative & Proactive Solutions) and PMT (Parent Management Training).
Each offers distinct methods and philosophies, and understanding them fully can help parents choose—or blend—what works best for their family.
Beatnik Couples Therapy: How to Love Like You’re in a Coffeehouse in 1959
Picture this: It’s the late 1950s.
You and your partner are sitting cross-legged in a dimly lit coffeehouse, the scent of espresso mingling with cigarette smoke.
A bongo drum taps in the background as a man in a black turtleneck snaps his fingers approvingly at a poem about existential despair.
You lean into each other, trying to decide if love is just another bourgeois construct—or the ultimate beatific experience.
Welcome to Beatnik Couples Therapy, where love gets the jazzy, free-spirited treatment it deserves.
If couples therapy existed in the Beatnik era, it would’ve been a smoky mix of poetry, Zen philosophy, and jazz improvisation, with a side of existential navel-gazing.
But honestly? It might just be the therapy you didn’t know your relationship needed.
Doomscrolling Through 2025: Social Media Anxiety in Full Swing
If you’re a proud doomscroller—or just a casual worrier—congratulations, you’re living in a time where anxiety has never been more on-trend.
Social media in 2025 is like a buffet of existential dread: there’s something for everyone, whether you’re nibbling on climate change panic, feasting on AI job-stealing paranoia, or sipping a cocktail of political and cultural turmoil.
It’s all served up with real-time reports, expert analysis, and just the right amount of clickbait to keep you awake at night.
Infidelity Recovery Influencers: Can TikTok Save Your Marriage?
In 2025, even the most private struggles—like recovering from infidelity—are finding their way online. TikTok, the video platform once known for dance trends and viral challenges, has emerged as a surprising hub for advice on rebuilding trust after betrayal.
With hashtags like #infidelityrecovery and #relationshipadvice garnering millions of views, therapists and influencers are offering quick-fix solutions and emotional support.
But can TikTok really save your marriage, or is it oversimplifying a profoundly complex process? This blog explores the rise of infidelity recovery influencers, critically evaluates their advice, and highlights relevant social science research on relational security and trust.
Lying to Your Therapist About Infidelity: Sabotaging Your Own Growth
Let’s get one thing straight: if you’re lying to your therapist about infidelity, you’re not fooling anyone except yourself. Therapy is a space designed for honesty, growth, and healing.
By hiding a critical truth like infidelity, you’re undermining the entire process and wasting everyone’s time—yours, your therapist’s, and possibly your partner’s.
This blog will break down why people lie, the consequences of that deceit, and why owning up is the only way forward.
Why Do People Lie About Infidelity in Therapy?