The Truth About Lies in Relationships: Why We Lie and How to Handle It
Lying is an inevitable part of human interaction. From tiny fibs about traffic delays to more elaborate fabrications, everyone has encountered lies in some form. Interestingly, not all lies are harmful—some are told with the purest intentions, aimed at sparing feelings or maintaining harmony.
Healing from a Narcissistic Mother: A Journey to Reclaim Your Self-Worth
Healing from a narcissistic mother is a deeply personal journey. It’s about recognizing your worth, breaking free from harmful patterns, and creating a life defined by authenticity and joy. While the process may feel overwhelming at times, remember that each step forward is a victory.
Antagonistic Attachment: Understanding Narcissistic Relationship Dynamics
Understanding antagonistic attachment provides a powerful lens for recognizing toxic dynamics and their impact on our well-being. By naming these patterns and addressing them, we can move toward relationships rooted in empathy, connection, and shared growth.
WHY EMDR THERAPY SPARKS BOTH PRAISE AND CONTROVERSY IN TRAUMA TREATMENT
One of the main controversies is that the exact way EMDR works is not fully understood. While many clients report relief, some researchers believe the bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, etc.) may not be the crucial component.
UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA BONDING AND CODEPENDENCY IN RELATIONSHIPS
One of the most challenging aspects of life is forming healthy, supportive relationships. For those with a history of trauma, however, this process can become especially complex. Trauma can lead some individuals to develop unhealthy loyalties to others, often referred to as trauma bonding.
UNDERSTANDING SEXUAL ANOREXIA: COMPULSIVE SEXUAL AVOIDANCE OF SEXUAL INTIMACY
While most people associate anorexia with food, “anorexia” simply means “without appetite.” In this case, sexual anorexia implies an absence of sexual desire or an intense avoidance of sex.
SHOULD ACCOUNTABILITY BE REQUIRED AFTER AN AFFAIR?
Rebuilding trust after an affair can be one of the most challenging journeys a couple undertakes. For the betrayed partner, healing often hinges on a sense of accountability from the unfaithful spouse—proof that they’re committed to making amends and restoring trust.
ADHD and Sexuality: Exploring the Impact and Coping Strategies
Hypersexuality in people with ADHD refers to an elevated sex drive and often includes behaviors that may be risky or maladaptive, such as engaging in unprotected sex, having multiple partners, or problematic use of pornography.
Healing from Betrayal: Setting Boundaries for Safety and Recovery
Experiencing the pain of infidelity can shatter your sense of safety and stability, leaving you emotionally undone. If you're navigating this kind of betrayal, it's essential to remember that you are not alone, and you don’t have to heal in isolation.
Understanding Trauma Therapy: A Path to Healing
Trauma therapy offers a pathway to healing by helping individuals process traumatic events in a structured and supportive environment. Whether you’ve experienced a single traumatic event or have endured ongoing trauma, therapy can empower you to overcome your fears, rebuild trust, and challenge unhelpful beliefs.
Building Stronger Relationships: The Power of Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation
When two people come together in a romantic relationship, effective communication becomes essential. Both partners need to express their needs, fears, and vulnerable emotions to create a secure and intimate bond. This is where the concepts of self-regulation and co-regulation come into play—two interrelated strategies that can significantly enhance communication and overall relationship satisfaction.
EMDR AND PARTS WORK: A POWERFUL COMBINATION FOR HEALING TRAUMA
If you or a loved one is struggling with trauma or emotional distress, consider seeking a therapist trained in both EMDR and Parts Work. This powerful combination of therapeutic techniques offers hope for deeper healing and self-integration, helping individuals move past their pain and toward a life of greater self-awareness and emotional balance.
PRODEPENDENCE: A NEW APPROACH TO SUPPORTING FAMILIES OF ADDICTS
Prodependence is a groundbreaking concept in addiction healthcare, designed to shift the way loved ones of addicts are treated. Instead of blaming family members for the addict’s problems, prodependence offers them dignity, validation, and support for their suffering.
A GAP IN SEXUAL DESIRE: HOW SEX THERAPY CAN HELP
Sexual desire gaps can stem from physiological, psychological, or relational factors—or a combination of all three. Once the causes are identified, the therapist works with the couple to develop a treatment plan tailored to their needs.
How to Overcome Anger After a Spouse’s Infidelity
Infidelity is one of the most painful betrayals a person can experience in a relationship. It shatters trust, stirs up overwhelming emotions, and often leaves the betrayed partner feeling lost, angry, and desperate for justice.
Exploring Internal Family Systems (IFS) in Sex and Porn Addiction Treatment
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an innovative and highly effective therapeutic approach, especially when it comes to treating sex and porn addiction.
BETRAYAL BLINDNESS: NOT SEEING WHAT’S OBVIOUS
Betrayal blindness is a state where individuals fail to see or acknowledge betrayal by someone they depend on for physical or psychological safety. This concept, coined by Dr. Jennifer Freyd, explains why people often stay in denial about significant betrayals in their close relationships.
HOW DEVELOPMENTAL TRAUMA IMPACTS IDENTITY
Adults who experienced developmental trauma may develop Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD), which is characterized by difficulties in emotional regulation, consciousness, memory, self-perception, distorted perceptions of perpetrators of abuse, relationship difficulties, and negative effects on the meaningfulness of life.
HOW TO RECOVER FROM LYING IN A RELATIONSHIP
Forgiving someone for lying or apologizing for dishonesty is one thing, but truly getting over lying in a relationship is an entirely different challenge. You might wish for the hurt to vanish quickly, but that’s rarely how it works.
EMDR THERAPY THROUGH A POLYVAGAL THEORY LENS
Polyvagal theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, offers a comprehensive framework for understanding how our nervous system responds to different levels of safety and threat. Here's a breakdown of the nervous system ladder according to polyvagal theory: