I hear horror stories all the time about bad experiences with service providers. I find it hard to believe that there can be so many tradespeople out there who are rude and/or routinely do shoddy work. And, sure enough, when … Continue reading →

It’s no secret that marital counseling and couples therapy often fail. Even with a skilled therapist, two factors usually stand in the way of success: First, the partners usually wait until one or both have decided it’s too late. It’s … Continue reading →

I received an email from a reader regarding a recent column where I wrote that a fear of success could be a fear of being ‘found out’ as a fraud — whether you earned the success or not. The writer … Continue reading →

I appreciate it when people respond to these columns. It’s nice to know that somebody’s on the other end of this keyboard. In a recent article I reiterated the fact that addictions to drugs, alcohol or whatever have been falsely … Continue reading →

I’ve encountered several clients, and even friends, who report that certain noises make them feel uncomfortable and angry. A bit of research introduced me to the term, misophonia; a debilitating situation where a ‘trigger stimulus’ (some sort of sound) becomes … Continue reading →

Clients often tell me about neighbors who drop-in uninvited. Or children (or worse yet, adults) who can’t keep their hands off of your property. Do you have friends who call and expect you to be available to talk — with … Continue reading →

Dear Dr. Hurd, My ‘new age’ friends are always telling me to ‘Go with my feelings and say what I feel.’ But is it advisable to just blurt out whatever pops into your head — right, wrong or indifferent? Dear … Continue reading →

I often get questions about personal growth and how it changes relationships with friends, romantic partners and family. When people improve themselves in ways that increase their self-esteem and confidence, their relationships also change. Every person plays a role in … Continue reading →

Several readers have asked me to clarify the difference between short-term compromise and all-out self-sacrifice. More than one Life’s a Beach! column has emphasized that the latter should never be part of a marriage or any partnered relationship. A short-term … Continue reading →

A reader sent me a comment about one of my columns where I suggested that the biggest mistake people make is to try to change others. She agrees that the choice of what to think and do will always be … Continue reading →

Occasionally, a parent or a spouse will tell me that their child or partner ‘needs help.’ I ask them why they think that, and they either don’t answer me, or they say that they can’t get their loved one to … Continue reading →

Dear Dr. Hurd, I’ve been depressed for a while now. My doctor wrote me a prescription, and says my depression is a disease. But I feel that the problem is more emotional than medical. I hate the way the pills … Continue reading →