You may think you know your partner, and you probably do know the basics. You know their favorite restaurant, shoe size, and how they take their coffee. You know where they work, that they never carry a balance on their credit card, have two best friends from college, and love…
Toxic relationships aren’t always obvious from the start. Some evolve quietly—one eye roll, one dismissed feeling, one “I was just joking; don’t be so sensitive” comment at a time. Many relationships erode through “one thousand paper cuts,” says psychologist Morgan Cutlip, PhD, author of A Better Share. Over time, what…
Picture a couple who just moved in together: Let’s call them Dan and Amy. Amy has been working late because she has a big presentation coming up. One evening, she texts Dan and asks him to make dinner while she’s on her way home. Dan enthusiastically agrees, sending multiple heart…
No matter how “perfectly matched” you are, no two people are exactly the same. We all bring our own unique wants, needs, and beliefs into a relationship. That’s a good thing—our differences are what make relationships exciting and meaningful. But it also means figuring out how to truly care for…
Healthy relationships have the power to bring joy, connection, and improved self-esteem. However, anxiety can disrupt those feelings and take a toll, both on the person experiencing it and their partner. By understanding the roots of anxiety and its impact on the relationship, couples can create emotional safety and develop…
We’ve all felt it—that slightly fried feeling from too much screen time, too many notifications demanding our attention, and too many apps pulling us in every direction. It’s overwhelming, and sometimes the best remedy is a good, old-fashioned break, or a “digital detox.” This purposeful time off from screens and…
Feeling angry or resentful toward family members is a common experience that can arise from various psychological, emotional, and situational factors. Whether it’s a parent, sibling, or extended relative, conflicts within families can make maintaining harmonious relationships challenging and stressful. The good news? There are strategies to navigate relationships with…
Whether it’s about location, career goals, kids, religion, money, or something else, realizing you and your partner have different visions for the future can make you question everything. It can cause you to worry about whether or not you truly belong together or if you can have “it all”. And…
Being in a romantic relationship has its ups and downs. But what about dating someone who has a mental health condition like bipolar disorder? As it so happens, dating someone with bipolar disorder I or II may not be so different from dating anyone else. Although it’s true that people…
Trust issues are characterized by fear of betrayal, abandonment, or manipulation. And this fear is often triggered as a result of betrayal (such as infidelity), abandonment (think: leaving a child or foregoing a relationship with them), or manipulation (for example, dishonesty or gaslighting). If someone you trusted — a partner,…
Attachment styles are emotional bonding patterns originating from early interactions and relationships with primary caregivers. Though these patterns are not always readily noticeable, they can significantly influence adult relationships by shaping expectations and behaviors toward intimacy, connection, and dependency. Everyone has an attachment style—some are healthy and secure, while others…
Though things like trust, openness, and communication are important in any relationship, open relationships require an abundance of both to function in a healthy way. Open relationships occur when one or both parties in a romantic relationship start seeing additional partners in a sexual and/or romantic way with the consent…
