We’re all familiar with the complaint that Valentine’s Day has taken on too much of a material focus. And looking at it objectively, it’s pretty silly to assume that our feelings can be sized up in a dozen roses or a fleet of pink balloons. Yet, cards and chocolates aside, this heart-filled holiday is, for… Read more »
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How can we best deal with our day-to-day emotional reactions? What can we do when our partner lets us down, when we have a struggle with our child, or when we feel provoked by a friend? Oddly enough, the first piece of advice is to stay with the pain. It turns out we expend much… Read more »
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When it comes to placing blame in a relationship, it’s almost always easier to see the faults in our partner than in ourselves. One of the problems with couples pointing fingers is that usually both parties are right, and both are wrong. Every person is full of flaws and certain ways that we attempt to… Read more »
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Every person is divided. Part of us is on our own side optimistic, and confident in our goals and abilities. Another part of us is against ourselves, self-critical, and even self-destructive. In this short presentation, Dr. Lisa Firestone explains this division. Why do we turn against ourselves? What holds us back from being who… Read more »
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Throughout our lives we compile a picture of what we think real love should look like. Often this process begins early, as little girls listening to fairy tales at bed time will envision their very own knight in shining armor. As we grow older, we often imagine finding a soul-mate, that perfect person who we… Read more »
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When it comes to our physical and mental health, friendship may truly be the best medicine. An Australian study showed that strong social networks may lengthen survival in elderly men and women, with good friends being even more likely to increase longevity than close family members. As author Edna Buchanon put it, “Friends are the… Read more »
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In my 25 years as a therapist, I’ve worked with countless couples facing a broad spectrum of challenges. Yet, despite the diversity between them in age, occupation, or origin, I’m amazed at the similarities in the patterns and pitfalls that couples fall into. When two people walk into my office and start discussing their relationship,… Read more »
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Suicide is such a disturbing subject that discussing it is often viewed as being socially unacceptable. However, when the subject is opened up, it is surprising how many people reveal that their lives have been directly touched by suicide. Suicide is upsetting and confusing. How can someone be so turned against themselves that they would… Read more »
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Resolutions are notorious for falling by the wayside a few months or even days into the New Year. A University of Scranton study revealed that only 8 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions are successful in achieving them. This low success rate may relate to the fact that many of us are more inclined to… Read more »
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New Year’s tends to be a time of looking forward. Yet, in our effort to set goals for the future, it’s meaningful to reflect on the past year and make sense of what our experiences have meant to us. What can they teach us? How can the lessons of 2017 help us to achieve a more fulfilling… Read more »
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