While counseling people who have lost someone of great value to them, I’ve learned so much about what they want (and don’t want) to hear in these situations. Most often, people who have experienced a tragic loss simply want you … Continue reading
Readers “of a certain age” will certainly remember mood rings. Back in the ‘70s everyone seemed to be sporting a ring, a pendant, earrings, bracelets or even lipstick containing thermotropic liquid crystals. Depending on the temperature of your skin, the … Continue reading
Rarely does a social occasion go by that somebody doesn’t ask me what a psychotherapist does, and what actually happens behind the closed doors of a therapy session. I resist the urge to mumble something about secret handshakes, decoder rings … Continue reading
It’s easy to lose perspective when you’re experiencing doubts about your relationship. But sometimes a temporary setback or bad mood can be eliminated by taking a step back and asking yourself one question: “Does my relationship/marriage make my life better … Continue reading
I often encounter couples who, even after many years of marriage, maintain separate finances and bank accounts. What makes certain couples reach the decision to handle money in this way? It all depends on the individuals involved. Some people like … Continue reading
Some of the best times I had as a kid were spent in the movie theater, escaping into the realm of fantasy. Professional filmmakers refer to that sense of escape as the “willing suspension of disbelief,” where, for ninety minutes … Continue reading
I’ve written before about how some aging parents can become manipulative; appearing to be more “helpless” than they actually are. Interestingly, your responses were 100% in agreement, but many questioned how to verbally approach the issue. Well, sometimes it’s all … Continue reading
People sometimes tell me that daytime “self-help” shows leave them with the impression that their parents are to blame for many of their problems. Maybe so, maybe not, but the banality of daytime TV is NOT the place to go … Continue reading
Married couples, families and friends tell me that they fight over money more than anything else. But when I look a little closer, it becomes evident that the fighting is less about actual money and more about personal expectations and … Continue reading
Celebrated songwriter Neil Sedaka wasn’t far from the truth when he co-wrote the hit song “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.” The emotional impact of a breakup can be devastating, with feelings ranging from bewilderment to shock, from hurt to … Continue reading
People often say that an apology is a good way to have the last word. If that is so, then why is it difficult for many people to apologize — even when they know they’re wrong? I talk to a … Continue reading
People often ask me why they are nervous or anxious over others’ opinions and judgments. And all of those people I talk to want to get rid of that feeling. We become “people pleasers” when we make others our standard … Continue reading