Relationships can enrich our lives, but they can also cause damage. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or significant other, any relationship comes with its share of challenges. And more often than not, putting in the effort to resolve relational issues can and does result in a healthier bond. But there are those relationships that, […]
Benefits of Co-Parenting (And How to Do It)
When two people decide to separate or divorce, the first question they usually must answer is, “What’s best for the children?” Well, according to the Third International Conference on Shared Parenting, co-sponsored by the National Parents Organization and the International Council on Shared Parenting, children need both parents in their life, no matter how those […]
How to Help Your Child Transition into a 2-Home Scenario After Divorce
Going through a divorce can be a tumultuous time for any adult, and for children it can feel like their world is falling apart. It can be confusing for children to have two homes, particularly in the early stages of divorce. But there are ways to bring positivity and excitement to this change, while reducing […]
When is the Right Time to Try Couple’s Counseling?
For better or worse. Those words seem easy to say at the time, but when worse gets really bad, many couples are ready to throw in the towel. That’s because they didn’t seek help in time and let things get out of hand. The Stigma of Counseling It can be hard to make the decision […]
Three Steps to Survive Betrayal in Your Relationship: Atone, Attune & Attach
As a marriage and family therapist working with couples in crisis, I see a fair percentage of clients who come to therapy because one of the partners has had an affair. The Gottman Institute reports 10-15% of women and 15-43% of men have been unfaithful, and while COVID-19 certainly complicated social engagement around the world, […]
Blazing Trails and Staying in Your Path
Essential Dialectical Behavioral Skills for Difficult Moments & Situations
Pause, Turn the Mind, Repair
Staying on the Path: Pause, Reflect, Repair, Return
As February arrives, I am reminded how quickly time passes, and how much there is to do in a new year. Maybe, like me, you just woke up to check in on the resolutions, goals, and practices you took on for 2021. And maybe you see places where you have fallen off the path already. If […]
DBT Skills for Emotional Regulation
This week’s video looks at using a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skill called ABC PLEASE. DBT introduces great skills for Emotional Regulation, Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Distress Tolerance. While used most often with BPD (borderline personality), ED (eating disorders), and SA (substance abuse), its use is wide and varied. It works for everyday upsets and […]
