Note: If you are going to be in an environment with abusive people, some things on this list may help you but others will not. In such a case, focus on safety planning for yourself. Get a therapist, a friend, or an advocate at a domestic violence program to help you make a plan. Enjoying…
Category Archives: Relationships
Diet Talk: How to Respond
You are in line at a buffet and the person next to you says, “Oh my God, I’m going to regret this tomorrow!” Or you are at dinner with friends and someone says, “I wish I could have that but I’m being good today!” Or you are talking with a relative you haven’t seen in…
Bring Curiosity With You on the Holidays
Holidays with family are stressful. Whether you celebrate Ramadan, Passover, Christmas, Diwali or anything else, time spent with family over holidays can be difficult and make you feel like a kid again. So what are we to do? There are lots of ways to improve your coping strategies, learn better communication skills and find ways…
How Your Communication Style Affects Others
Sometimes it is helpful to understand the impact your communication style has on other people. While every interaction is different, there are some common reactions people have to different communication styles. If you are aggressive, other people may react to you with fear or anxiety. They may be timid around you because they don’t want…
Seven Ways to Use Your Smartphone to Improve Your Mental Health
Nobody taught me anything about using smartphones when I was in graduate school in the late ’90s. But I’ve counseled a lot of clients since then and found a lot of ways smartphones can be used to support mental health. Here are my top seven. Give yourself supportive messages when you need them. If you…
Four Things I Say to Couples
Couples come to therapy usually because they are frustrated with something about each other. Here are some things I often tell them. It is always possible that your partner will change. Over the course of a long-term relationship, many changes happen. But it is not wise to count on it. Your partner might not change…
LGBTQ-Friendly Psychotherapy — Part 3
Relationships and Families LGBTQ1 people have relationships and families and, like anyone else, may need therapy for relationship and family issues. Beyond the qualifications discussed in Parts 1 and 2, how do you know whether a therapist is qualified to help you and your LGBTQ family? Skilled LGBTQ-friendly therapists for relationships and families are: Comfortable…
