Relationships serve as a landscape in which our insecurities and our worst qualities can surface. I believe this phenomenon happens in both safe/healthy and unsafe/unhealthy relationships. For many (if not all) of us, we often fear being abandoned or deeply wounded. If we are in a safe, healthy, committed relationship, these insecurities can be assuaged …
Dating
Struggling with Singleness During the Holidays
I’ve put off writing about the topic of singleness for a long time. It’s something I’ve felt I should write about for a while. When I saw that it was on my schedule to write about this week, I thought, “Hmm, maybe I’ll write about something else instead.” But I decided to do what I’m …
For Those Who Hate Confrontation…
I hate confrontation. As a lifelong people-pleaser, anytime an issue arises that forces me to have what I perceive to be a difficult conversation with someone, I notice my heart rate instantly speed up and my palms get sweaty. This happens even with the people who are closest to me, and who I know are …
Freedom
Happy September! I feel like it was just yesterday that I was planning and writing about the content I’d be sharing this year, and now here we are, wrapping up the last quarter of the year! I’ve been brainstorming content I’d like to share with you all in 2020, and I’m excited about what’s in …
Toxic Relationship Beliefs?
As I sat down to write this blog post, all I could think was: Gosh, dating can be tough. Dating can be tough for so many reasons. For one, in our individualistic society today, it can be hard to simply meet someone we even want to date! When we do find someone we want to date, wading through questions about …
Am I in Love with the Wrong Person?
Amanda arrived for her first counseling appointment. She sat down on the couch, handed in her opening paperwork, and immediately burst into tears. After a few minutes, she was able to explain what had brought her to counseling. She was afraid she was in love with “the wrong man.” Amanda was a bright, attractive woman …
Blind Love
If you’ve read my blog in the past, you probably know that my guilty pleasure TV show is the The Bachelor/ette. (**Warning: if you watch the show and haven’t watched the episode from 7/15, this blog contains spoilers!**) Every Monday night, a group of girlfriends and I gather together to eat, drink, and dissect all of …
Am I Ready to Date After My Divorce?
I was recently asked how one knows when they’re ready to start dating again after they’ve been divorced. The answer can frustrate folks, in that there is no formulaic answer – it really does depend on the individual and the circumstance. I don’t know about you, but I like formulaic answers. They tend to give me …
Dating After Divorce: A PICK Group
I’m so excited to announce the launch of our fall Premarital Interpersonal Choices & Knowledge (PICK) group! This group will be specifically for women who’ve been through a divorce and who would like a practical guide for building and establishing healthy and fulfilling long-term relationships. Dating after divorce can feel overwhelming and scary. Is the dating …
Friendships and Marriage
I’ve never been big on Valentine’s Day. (You’re probably wondering why I’m writing about Valentine’s Day in the summertime, but hang with me…I promise I have a point!) Even when I was dating someone in the month of February, I always felt the sentiment of the holiday to feel a bit…forced. I felt I had …