Being in a relationship often brings expectations of emotional connection, intimacy, and companionship. But why do so many people find themselves feeling isolated and disconnected, even within a committed partnership? This experience of feeling alone in a relationship...

Jokes about difficult in-laws– usually the mother-in-law– are as old as the concept of marriage. In fact, the oldest written mother-in-law joke comes from Juvenal, a 1st century Roman writer. But there’s often some bitter reality behind these jokes; couples often...

People-pleasing is a common behavior that manifests as an excessive desire to satisfy others at the expense of one’s own needs and well-being. While wanting to be liked is a natural human experience, chronic people-pleasing can lead to significant emotional distress...

The holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration, but if you’re missing someone, this period can be profoundly difficult. Your loved one’s absence may be felt more deeply, and you might struggle to get in the festive mood. There’s no easy way to cope with grief...

Depression is hard on relationships. When you’re depressed, it’s hard to muster enthusiasm for anything you love– and that can include your partner. And when your partner is depressed, it can be confusing for the relationship; it can seem like your partner doesn’t...

From a young age, many of us are taught that our emotions don’t matter. We learn to silence them, doubt them, or push them aside. Maybe you've heard things like "it’s not that bad" when something really did feel bad, leading you to question your feelings. Or, “calm...

When we talk about contagious diseases, we generally think of things like Covid, chicken pox, and the flu. We usually don’t think about mental illnesses– but social behaviors can spread among people, and can lead to mental health challenges. Let’s explore how...

Food can be a complicated subject. It nourishes us, it brings us pleasure, it helps us connect to our culture; but at the same time, it can also lead to disordered eating, guilt, body image issues, and confusion about what to eat. But there are ways to rebuild and...

To state the obvious, we all know that relationships, particularly intimate partnerships, take work and intention. But even with all the good intentions, you can still find that your relationship is in trouble. And this can feel really awful. What do you do when this...

Understanding the Fear of Being Alone Does everyone seem to be in a happy relationship around you? Do you feel more alone than ever? Research indicates that the fear of being alone, often termed "loneliness anxiety," is a common experience. A study published in The...

In any workplace, having your voice heard can be challenging, especially if you're navigating layers of identity, company hierarchy, or personality dynamics. Whether it's because of systemic issues or personal experiences, many people find themselves feeling...

Chronic pain is a condition that affects millions of people, but its causes can sometimes be more complex than physical injury or illness. For many, chronic pain is tied to emotional trauma, often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. If you’ve experienced trauma,...

Nearly 30% of American adults have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives. It’s one of the most prevalent mental health conditions, and it can be extremely challenging to deal with. Depression can look like a black hole; it saps your ability to...

Have you ever had a thought pop into your head and it scared you because you didn’t know where it came from and it was distressing? That’s an intrusive thought. These are thoughts that seem to come out of nowhere, often accompanied by distress. These are not simply...

Beginning therapy is truly a commitment. Although it is typically one hour a week or every other week, it can open up so much between sessions. You might find yourself feeling depleted or emotionally drained. Sometimes there is anxiety or exhaustion before or after a...

Disordered eating is a big problem, especially for women and girls. Globally, almost a third of girls demonstrated disordered eating, and the prevalence of disordered eating continues to increase. While the DSM-V only includes five diagnosable eating disorders–...

Election Day can stir a lot of emotions, and for couples with differing political beliefs, it can be especially challenging. In today’s polarized climate, it’s increasingly common for partners to find themselves on opposite sides of the political spectrum. While these...

Anxiety is an experience familiar to many people, marked by feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear. While it's common to feel anxious in certain situations, like before a big presentation or during a stressful event, some folks experience anxiety on a much more...

In recent years, political polarization has reached unprecedented levels. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, it’s likely that you’ve experienced some degree of stress or anxiety surrounding elections. As emotions flare up and political discussions...

While non-monogamy and polyamory are on the rise today, most American adults probably had monogamy as your relationship model. Just you and one partner– and while that works for many people, it doesn’t for others. There are many reasons that your partner might want to...

Sometimes it seems like it’s impossible to get away from the bad stuff. Our world is complicated, and while there’s a lot of good and beautiful things, reality can be very disturbing. You might find yourself constantly exposed to images of distress, whether it's...