Do you feel like you work to understand the lives of others, or is that something you struggle with? Read on to learn more about what empathy is and how to cultivate it in your own life. Why is empathy important? I would argue that empathy is one of our greatest challenges in society right […]
Tag: relationships
Don’t worry! It’s OK to say NO to people.
I was scrolling through my Twitter feed a while ago and came across a post in which a woman discussed how she was taken aback when she followed up with a contact for some advice and the person told her “no”. While the original poster was coming to terms with the rejection, there were a […]
Being Assertive is HARD
One of things that comes up most often in my work with clients is them facing a challenge or difficulty in a relationship. Whether it’s a point of difference with a parent or ongoing miscommunication with a partner, most of us have a hard time being honest and forthcoming about our emotions, needs and desires. […]
This is how the amygdala hijack impacts your relationship.
Have you ever heard of the amygdala hijack? Chances are if you’ve ever taken a psychology 101 course you probably have. But do you know what it has to do with relationships? Let me explain! First, some basic brain anatomy! The amygdala is a structure in your brain, located in the deep temporal lobe. This […]
How to Set Boundaries: The 6 Types
In the past few years I’ve seen a lot more conversation online about personal boundaries. Today, I’m going to share with you what I think of as the 6 common types so that you can think about how to set boundaries to better your mental health and relationships. As much as people have come to […]
Episode 38 of The Viva Wellness Podcast is live!
It’s hard to know when to step in when the people you love and care about might be going through a rough time. When is the right time to be seriously concerned about their mental health? And when is it just a slump? In our latest episode our hosts and licensed therapists Rachel and Jor-El […]
How to Maintain Your Relationship During Coronavirus
At this point, many cities and states around the country are dealing with the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Many forms of “shelter in place” and related statutes are now our new normal (for the time being) and this means that many more people are spending more time, and with each other, than normal. Here are […]
Setting Boundaries with Friends and Loved Ones
Recently, I’ve been having a lot of conversations with folks (clients and non-clients alike) about how to set a boundary with a loved one. I guess that’s the holiday season, right?! I also recently came across a tweet that sent Twitter into full meltdown mode that made me reflect on boundaries and relational expectations. I […]
How Do You Know If It’s Cheating?
The world of social media has drastically changed how we interact in relationships. There are more opportunities to build connections with folks far and wide, which is generally a great thing. But, what happens when that behavior crossed the line. How do you even know if it’s crossed a line? How do you know if […]
How to Survive the Holidays as a Couple
Many of the conversations we have around this time of year center on the idea of returning home for the holidays and dealing with the related stressors. That, of course, is a concern for many. However, we don’t often talk about how stressful the holidays can be for those in committed relationships. No two couples […]