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Mental Illness in Marriage: Understanding & Managing One Partner's Diagnosis

Mental Illness in Marriage: Understanding & Managing One Partner's Diagnosis Marriage is often seen as a partnership built on love, trust, and companionship, but what happens when one partner is diagnosed with a mental health condition? The impact can be significant, affecting not just the individual but also the dynamic of the relationship. Understanding this influence and finding ways to manage it together is essential for maintaining a healthy marriage. The Ripple Effect of a Mental Health Diagnosis Receiving a mental health diagnosis can be scary, nor just for the person receiving the diagnosis, but for the entire family. When one partner receives a mental health diagnosis—whether it’s depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or another condition—it can reshape the foundation of the relationship. It's important for everyone to try to understand the diagnosis and how it may show up in the relationship and family. H

Being Demure: A Quiet Strength

A Quiet Strength: Embracing Demureness as a Woman in a Loud World Lately I keept seeing memes and Reels about being Demure and Mindful. And I wondered what the heck the sudden interest in this was, so I took at look at the TikTok video that started this trend. After watching, I'm not sure that everyone really knows what demure means. So let's break it down... Demure : reserved, modest, and shy (typically used of a woman). "a demure young lady"; (of clothing) giving a modest appearance. "a demure knee-length skirt"; affectedly modest, reserved, or serious. Being demure is a quality that seems to have gotten lost over the years. While it used to be commonly respectable for a woman to be quiet and demure, in today's society, it has become almost extinct, as women have asserted their rights to be treated as equals to men. As a therapist, I often work with women who grapple with societal expectations around assertiveness and self-expression. In

8 Tips for Getting Back Into the School Year Routine

8 Tips to Get Your Family Back Into a Weekly Routine By now, most of you with children have or are getting back into the weekly routine. You know, the one that seems to go completely to the wayside during Summer Vacation? Many families struggle to get back into a reasonable routine for the School Year. And by the time they do, it's time for the holidays and Winter Break, and everything is thrown off again. So in this week's blog post, I provide 8 tips to help you get back on track with a weekly family routine that's sure to help everyone. Tip #1 - Morning Routine - Start the Day Right: Mornings set the tone of the entire day. Organized and productive families typically have a consistent morning routine that gets everyone up and moving with minimal stress. Everyone knows what to expect and does what they need to do. This might include a scheduled wake-up time, breakfast together, and a checklist for everyone's responsibilities, like making beds, packing backpacks

Finding Help Through Humor: The Therapeutic Power of Humor Through Hardships

Finding Help Through Humor: The Therapeutic Power of Humor Through Hardships As a therapist, I have witnessed firsthand the life changing power of humor in the lives of my clients. Life is often unpredictable and can throw unexpected hardships our way. Whether it's coping with grief, managing chronic illness, or navigating personal crises, the journey through these challenges can feel overwhelming. However, one of the most effective and underrated tools for resilience is humor. In fact, I frequently use humor during my therapy sessions, because it tends to lighten the mood and allow people to drop their guard a bit. With that said, let me tell you a little bit about why and how humor can be helpful during therapy. The Role of Humor in Therapy Humor is more than just a brief moment in time, in which we escape from pain; it is a profound therapeutic tool that fosters healing and connection. In therapy, humor can serve several crucial functions: 1. Builds Rapport: Sharing a laugh c

Between the Sheets: The Rollercoaster of Sex Drives in Marriage

Between the Sheets: The Rollercoaster of Sex Drives in Marriage Marriage is a journey filled with ups and downs, and one aspect that often experiences significant fluctuations is sexual desire. The roller coaster of sex drives in marriage is a common experience for many couples, and understanding and navigating these changes can strengthen the relationship and enhance intimacy. This is a common topic that frequently comes up during marriage counseling. So, let's take a look together. Understanding the Fluctuations Sexual desire is influenced by a myriad of factors, both internal and external. Hormonal changes, stress levels, physical health, emotional well-being, and life circumstances all play a role in shaping one’s libido. In a marriage, these factors can affect each partner differently, leading to periods where sexual desires are perfectly aligned and times when they diverge significantly. Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations, such as those experienced during pregnancy,

Dirty Little Secrets

Dirty Little Secrets: When Is It Okay to Keep a Secret in Marriage Marriage is a delicate dance where two people intertwine every aspect of their lives. But sometimes there are things that we want to keep to ourselves or share only with close friends, separate from our spouse. Or maybe there are times we need to bounce things off someone other than our spouse, to get a different perspective. Or we just want to maintain a part of ourselves that feels like we can keep our own individual identity. Often, this can be challenging to juggle. As a therapist, I've seen and heard firsthand, the impact that keeping secrets can have on the marital bond. While some secrets are benign and incosequential, others can create holes that never heal. In this post, we'll dive into the complexities of secrets in the marriage and discuss how couples can navigate these murky waters. The Nature of Secrets Not all secrets are created qual. Some secrets are kept with the intention of protecti