Why ‘We Need to Talk’ Scares Everyone
Why the Four Words “We Need to Talk” Feel Like a Relationship Earthquake Last week, a dad in my practice told me he’d rather give a presentation to a thousand strangers than hear his wife say, “We need to talk.” He laughed nervously as he said it, but his hands were shaking. His wife nodded […]
The Evening Ritual That Brought Us Back Together
The Evening Ritual That Brought Us Back Together I’ll never forget the Thursday evening when my client Sarah sat across from me, tears streaming down her face, and said something that broke my heart: “I live with my family, but I feel completely alone.” Her husband was always on his laptop after dinner. Her ten-year-old […]
What Your Love Language is Missing
What Your Love Language Is Missing Last week, a couple sat in my office, both near tears. “I show him I love him every single day,” Maria said, gesturing to her husband. “I pack his lunch. I keep the house running. I remember everyone’s doctor appointments. How is that not enough?” Her husband, James, looked […]
The Secret to Staying Connected in the Parenting Trenches
The Secret to Staying Connected in the Parenting Trenches Last Tuesday, I watched a couple sit on opposite ends of my couch — not in anger, but in exhaustion. Between them lay a fortress of invisible walls: work deadlines, after-school pickups, a toddler who’d forgotten how to sleep, and a teenager who’d forgotten how to […]
Why Your Partner’s Annoying Habit Might Be Your Trigger
Why Your Partner’s Annoying Habit Might Be Your Trigger Last week, a couple sat in my office describing what brought them to therapy. “He chews ice,” she said, her voice trembling with what could only be described as barely contained rage. “That’s it. Just… chews ice. And I feel like I’m losing my mind.” Her […]
The Appreciation Habit That Changed Everything
The Appreciation Habit That Changed Everything Last Tuesday, I watched a mom named Sarah sit on my office couch and cry — not because her family was falling apart, but because she couldn’t remember the last time anyone said “thank you” in her house. “I feel like a ghost who does laundry,” she whispered. Her […]
What Your Holiday Stress Says About Your Family
What Your Holiday Stress Says About Your Family (And Why That’s Actually Good News) Last December, a mom in my practice sat in the therapy chair and burst into tears. “I spent six hours making homemade gingerbread houses,” she said, “and my kids fought the entire time. My mother-in-law criticized the frosting. My husband hid […]
The Financial Conversation Every Couple Needs to Have
The Financial Conversation Every Couple Needs to Have Last week, a couple sat in my office, not making eye contact. Sarah clutched a credit card statement like evidence in a courtroom drama. Michael had his arms crossed, jaw tight. They weren’t there because of infidelity or a major betrayal — they were there because of […]
Why ‘Helping Around the House’ Isn’t Actually Helping
Why ‘Helping Around the House’ Isn’t Actually Helping Last week, a dad in my office looked genuinely confused. “I don’t get it,” he said. “I help out all the time. I did the dishes last night without being asked. But when I told my wife, she just… sighed.” He paused, searching for words. “Like I’d […]
The Bedtime Conversation That Rekindled Our Intimacy
The Bedtime Conversation That Rekindled Our Intimacy It was 10:47 PM on a Tuesday — I know because I’d been staring at the clock, mentally calculating if I’d get six hours of sleep or just five and a half. My husband was already in bed, scrolling through his phone with that glazed look we’d both […]