It seems that social media is constantly sputtering over horror stories about bad experiences with service providers. And interestingly, when I look closer at some of the individual situations, I begin to see a pattern. Many of these complainers seem … Continue reading
Barely a day goes by in my office when I don’t hear the word “materialism”. Interestingly, it’s often uttered in a negative tone, and my response is met with varying levels of acceptance. In short, I don’t believe there’s such … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd, I loved your column a few months ago describing resort dwellers as “outlaws.” I agree with everything you said, and I do consider myself self-sufficient and capable of “being alone without being lonely.” But I have to … Continue reading
I often meet people who have an obsessive need to keep their kids busy. Every spare moment must be filled! I wonder if it’s pressure to get into the top schools, or are the parents worried that they’ll become delinquents? … Continue reading
The last few of years have been stressful for everyone. But I’m finding that a surprising number of friends and clients used some of that unwelcome … “leisure” time … to accomplish things that they had been putting off. They … Continue reading
A faithful reader of this column asked me the difference between an “irrational” (her words) avoidance of people versus the need for true and healthy solitude. To figure out what’s irrational, you have to define what kinds of interactions with … Continue reading
It’s hard to make it through a day without hearing about “entitlement” – especially in a negative context. To be entitled simply means that one believes that he or she deserves something. A sense of entitlement can be valid, i.e., … Continue reading
Rarely does a day go by then somebody doesn’t say, “Can you help me?” The answer is … well, yes … and no. A good therapist can help you identify your beliefs, what behaviors you choose to exhibit, and whether … Continue reading
A Delaware Wave reader writes, “I’m always late. My friends end up being disgusted with me (they try to be nice, but I can tell). Some have even stopped calling. I guess they feel I’m being rude, but it doesn’t … Continue reading
A DE Coast Press reader sent me an email in reaction to my column about jealousy and cheating. She writes, “I liked your article about being suspicious and jealous of your husband or wife, even though there’s no evidence that … Continue reading
So many people say, “A good marriage requires hard work and compromise.” Or, “The secret of our relationship is sacrifice.” Blah, blah. Well, I beg to differ: Life as a couple certainly does involve some negotiation from time to time, … Continue reading
Clients with relationship problems sometimes bring up the subject of interrupting. It’s no secret that there are few things more annoying than a person who interrupts. Though it might seem rude, there are different kinds of interruptions, some of which, … Continue reading