After 40 years of research with thousands of couples, relationship experts have identified five specific communication skills that make the difference between couples who thrive and those who struggle. These aren't vague suggestions like "be nicer" or "listen better." They're concrete, learnable skills backed by neuroscience and proven in clinical practice.
Read MoreYou know that moment at a dinner party when someone asks, "What would your perfect day look like?" and your partner describes a peaceful solo day at a café, a walk in the park, a nap and you're sitting there thinking, where am I in this picture?
If you've ever felt a little sting from something like that, this week's post is for you. Our affiliate therapist, Dr. Richelle Dadian, writes about something that quietly happens to most long-term couples, and how to fix it.
Read MoreThe couples who navigate this complexity consciously don't just survive it. They build something extraordinary — a Third Culture that is richer, more flexible, and more deeply theirs than either partner's world alone.
This week's post explores the science of what makes intercultural relationships thrive and offers concrete tools drawn from Gottman Method, Nonviolent Communication, and intercultural psychology to help you bridge the gap, share the labor, and build the relationship that only the two of you could create.
Read MoreThis week's blog post explores what that means for all of us — the science, the ancient wisdom traditions that already knew this, and the four qualities of positive mothering that anyone can cultivate: fertility, containment, sacrifice from wholeness, and wholehearted empathy. Plus practical, research-backed tips for the mothers in active daily caregiving who are running on empty.
Read MoreBecoming parents is often described as one of life’s most meaningful transitions-and it is. But it is also one of the most disruptive.
What many couples don’t expect is just how quickly connection can give way to tension.
This week we hear from one of our interns, Rachel Sanson-Rakhshandeh, on the turbulence that accompanies life post partum.
Strong relationships are built by two whole people. When each partner brings genuine well-being into the relationship, the partnership has a sturdier foundation to grow from — and personal happiness isn't a fixed trait. It's a skill you can practice.
This week, we're sharing three research-backed habits that boost individual well-being and, almost as a bonus, strengthen your closest connections. Try them solo, or invite your partner to join you.
Read MoreCongratulations on your new baby! The act of bringing a new human into the world is one of life’s most miraculous and transformative events. While you may feel both exhausted and exhilarated, the reality of 24/7 newborn care often lands on modern parents who lack the traditional "village" of support. In the US, the intense focus on individualism, coupled with often non-existent or insufficient parental leave, forces a rapid and unsustainable transition back to pre-baby life.
Read MoreAdult intimate relationships are a lot like our immune system.
But what happens when your immune system—or your relationship—is weakened through repeated injuries, deprivation, or chronic erosion?
Have you experienced less interest or ability to listen and relate to friends and family talking about their lives? Perhaps you find that your brain is scanning and ruminating about the various digital communities and activities you follow during your most intimate and romantic moments with your partner?
This is a serious slide into disconnection that will have lasting consequences in your life! So let’s talk about ways you can begin to reverse this trend starting today.
Here's what most parenting advice gets wrong: it focuses entirely on your child's behavior. What therapists know - and what the research consistently shows - is that the most powerful thing you can do in that moment has nothing to do with your child. It starts with you.
These are six things we tell parents in therapy that rarely come up at a well-child visit.
Read MoreWisdom for our own relationships can be found in nature all around us, from emperor penguins who mate for life to the complex social structure of a beehive. This issue looks at what the great Redwoods have to teach us about how to stand tall when storms come our way.
Read MoreWhen a desire for honest expression lacks tact and consideration, it risks crossing a line from healthy assertiveness into harmful aggression. Conversely, people who suppress their feelings may find that anger leaks out in sneaky, passive-aggressive ways. Neither approach supports a thriving relationship.
Read MoreThis February 14th, skip the crowds and make sweet, simple memories at your own kitchen table. We'll be there, enjoying a candlelight meal and actually being able to hear each other across the table. Take a moment to connect with the person you love.
Read MoreWe invite you to explore the Inspiring Love series as a resource for growth and connection. Together, we can face the challenges of today with compassion, courage, and curiosity.
Start Inspiring Love today — READ MORE HERE.
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