December brings a lot of joy. Twinkling lights, family gatherings, traditions, and cozy nights at home to name a few!  But let’s also name the fact that holidays also bring a lot of pressure.  Invitations, obligations, and expectations can pile up quickly, leaving you and your partner stretched thin. If you’ve ever reached January feeling exhausted rather than recharged, you’re not alone. Often with clients I’ve found that it’s because saying yes  to everything during the hol

Ah, the holidays! The most wonderful time of the year! Or so they say.  For many couples and families, “holidays” is shorthand for “financial stress.” Because between travel, gifts, parties, and traditions, it’s easy to feel like you’re overspending. Or perhaps worse, like you have  to spend in order to create meaningful memories. I know you’ve heard it before, but I’ll say it again. Holiday magic doesn’t come from how much money you spend. It comes from the presence, creativ

Trust. It’s the foundation of every relationship, whether intimate, familial, friendship, or even professional. Trust is what allows us to feel safe, connected, and open to cooperation. Without it, relationships struggle. With it, they thrive. But what does trust really look like in daily life? And how do we build it in our closest relationships? The truth is, trust doesn’t just happen once. It’s built over time, through consistent actions, mutual respect, and repair when we

Money is one of the top sources of conflict in relationships. In fact, a study by Fidelity Investments showed that 44% of couples admit money is the most significant source of stress in their relationship—almost half of all couples! But here’s the thing I can tell you from the point of view of a therapist: money disagreements are almost never about dollars and cents. Instead, disagreements about money often stem from our values, like security versus freedom. Even the way we w

Russ Harris is one of my all-time favorite personal growth authors. He is an Australian Psychologist, ACT therapist, trainer, and the author of several books on applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT (pronounced like the word ‘act’), to various aspects of life. ACT with Love is about how to apply the principles of ACT to relationships.  This second updated edition has some great additional information, but still has the easy readability of all of Russ’s books. (Is

Here comes the holidays! Once we get past Halloween, your favorite stores start advertising Black Friday specials, the latest and...

Feeling disconnected from your partner lately? Don’t worry. Disconnection happens in every relationship. We’re human! Life gets busy,...

The air is turning crisp, and the leaves are beginning to change! Fall is a beautiful time of year that certainly seems to bring a...

The holiday season often brings joy, celebration, and family traditions. But let’s be honest: it can also bring a hefty dose of stress!...

Most of us know that the weather can influence our mood. Sunshine often feels energizing, while gray, rainy days can leave us sluggish or...

It’s inevitable that seasons bring change. In summer, long days and flexible schedules may create more space for fun.  Meanwhile, the...

Summer is winding down. This usually means families are shifting back into the rhythm of school schedules plus fall sports. And it’s...

It’s back-to-school season! For many families (maybe yours?!) that means diving headfirst into sports practices, music lessons, homework,...

Many of you may know that I am a Gottman Certified Therapist, and so maybe there is a bit of a bias towards their work.  Their work in...

It’s a lonely feeling being the one who plans the date nights, brings up hard conversations, initiates affection, or even reminds your...

I came across The Secret Language of the Body as a recommendation from   Libro.fm .  I had been learning a lot about somatic healing and...

Picture this: you're sitting next to your partner on the couch. You’re both home after a long day. You're technically “together,”...

You and your partner are fighting. Again! Whether it’s a new argument or the same argument for what feels like the 100th time, there is...

You might currently be seeking support for your relationship. This is a big step! Whether you’re hoping to feel closer to your partner,...

We’ve all been there.  You’re ready to use the communication tools you’ve learned in therapy, but suddenly feel swept up in a wave of big...