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I don’t actually want to spoil anything for anyone here, but lately it’s been difficult to avoid the topic of disappointment when it comes to talking about favorite TV shows ending. By now I’m sure most people are sick of hearing about how Game of Thrones came to an end, and there were very strong […]

People who come to our offices for couples therapy generally enter the room for the first time with a list of things they want and need from their partners. The items on their lists vary, obviously, but a few themes stand out — more connection, more collaboration, more honesty, more support. Struggling couples come to […]

When my first child was born and we were being discharged from the hospital, I remember having this overwhelming sense of responsibility and a healthy dose of fear. I remember asking the nurses if they were sure we were ok to go and didn’t they need to check to make sure we at least installed […]

“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is that we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.” Roy T. BennettWhat is effective communication? Effective communication is achieved […]

Lots of clients come into our offices stating that they want to be happier. Of course, this is a goal that we support. Happiness is ingrained into our very consciousness, and is even part of the basis on which our national identity is founded (Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness!). But recently I’ve been […]

Ambiguity and the so-called “gray area” have been major discussion topics lately. Some people live and thrive with uncertainty, and others vehemently avoid it (black-and-white thinkers, I’m looking at you!). People struggle to decide where to eat, where to live, where to work, which colors to wear, etc. Part of them wants to go with […]

Couple Therapy Sterling VA One of the most interesting things I observe as a couple and family therapist is how societal dynamics play out on the micro-level in relationships. Recently, I’ve been struck by the frequency with which I observe “whataboutism” on my couch, and I can’t help but notice that this is similar to […]

We talk quite a bit about anxiety in our house. My kids have names for their worry monsters. My daughter chose the name Alfred when she was around 4 years old. My son, more recently, when he was about 4 years old, named his Pooter Fart. As you can imagine it brings a lot of […]

There seems to be so much out there talking about how to fall in love, how to find the right person, how to know if you’re with the right person, how to know when you’re ready for love, etc. Truly at the heart of it, we are all wired for connection. But I think, quite […]