In the midst of tragedy — or an event that causes great suffering and distress — parents have the difficult job of talking to their children about it. While the topic should often be avoided with kids under 7 years of age who are too young to understand tragedy, it…
Nosy parents can drive their adult children up the wall. Even though their prying behavior isn’t always meant to be invasive, it can cause damage to family relationships. Nosy parents may invade your privacy due to being concerned about you, ineffective communication styles, or loneliness. Less benevolently, they may also…
Q: I went through my boyfriend’s phone. All the girls he talked to while we were together are saved in his phone and social media, so while he was sleeping I deleted and blocked those girls. He got mad at me because he’s saying that I am trying to entrap…
When we share an overly personal story that involves a traumatic experience we’ve endured, it’s called trauma dumping. Even though the experience may be something we’ve processed and accepted, others may not be open or ready to absorb such intensely personal information. Trauma dumping can become a way for someone…
Criticism comes in two forms: destructive and constructive. Both types of feedback point out our mistakes, flaws, or potential improvements. But while constructive criticism uplifts, offers suggestions, and even provides possible solutions, destructive criticism is cutting, derogatory, and sometimes even mocks our failures. Like it or not, we’re bound to…
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 you’re reading this, it’s possible that…
Therapists possess and utilize many skills, but a very important response for them to master within their practice is empathetic responding or active listening. Empathic responding is when the counselor clearly communicates the feeling their client has expressed, as well as why they possess those feelings (again, according to the…
People don’t sever family relationships casually; it’s usually a long, painful process of recognition and internal struggle. Family estrangement is often caused by the negative behavior patterns of toxic parents, which can include manipulation and mockery. The decision to cut off toxic parents is a heavy burden, and it brings…
Intimacy is displayed in a romantic relationship when two people know and care for each other; these individuals are open, familiar, and vulnerable. There are four main types of intimacy: emotional intimacy, intellectual intimacy, sexual intimacy, and experiential intimacy. Fulfilling each area of intimacy helps to strengthen a bond; this…
Romantic relationships play a major role in our mental health, with a third of Americans reporting that intimate partners are the #1 cause of their mental health issues. Relationship anxiety can manifest as lack of trust, hypervigilance, and poor impulse control. Anxious feelings and behaviors can become a self-fulfilling prophecy,…
I was talking to my sister the other day (I grew up an only child, but luckily got step-sisters when I was older). We haven’t seen each other in a while and were catching up on life. During our conversation, she said something that caught my attention: “You know how…
Toxic positivity is the belief that someone should remain happy, no matter the reality of their situation. This irrational life outlook plays into our fear and desire to avoid experiencing negative situations or emotions. In the workplace, toxic positivity-based company cultures can lead to distrust, guilt, and concerns over sharing…