Relationships

Imagine this: You’re on a first date that feels almost too good to be true. The charming stranger across the table flashes a sly grin and orders another round of wine. Suddenly, they’re painting a vivid picture of your shared future together: dream home, adorable kids, maybe even that art…

Does your mom depend on you for her emotional well-being? Does your partner prioritize a parent’s needs over yours—or your kids’? Do you feel like your parent’s expectations dictate your decisions—or that you’re “letting them down” when you do things your way? If any of this sounds familiar, you might…

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…

This is a common question, as many people feel uncertain about couples therapy. Is it a dealbreaker? The answer isn’t always straightforward. While refusing to attend couples therapy can be a red flag, it doesn’t always mean the relationship is doomed. Every couple’s situation is unique, and there are other…

Romantic relationships can be a wonderful part of life, but they aren’t without their complications. Throughout a relationship, a variety of emotions can come up — from profound happiness and elation to deep despair and anger, and everything in between.  The key to creating a healthy and happy relationship is…

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…

Childhood trauma can cast a long shadow over a person’s life, affecting how you connect with others well into adulthood. It can make it difficult to navigate conflict, develop an effective communication style, build trust, and overcome fears of vulnerability. If early traumatic experiences are affecting your adult relationships, it’s…

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…

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition that can make trusting other people and establishing lasting relationships extremely difficult. This can make coping with BPD in relationships frustrating for the person carrying the diagnosis, as well as for a loved one trying to understand and be supportive.  While navigating borderline…

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…

Overthinking in a relationship is something we all do from time to time. However, if it happens all the time, it can become unhelpful and even detrimental. The constant internal chatter can make you believe thoughts that are not necessarily true, such as convincing yourself that people you love don’t…

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,…