Is Online Premarital Education for Your Relationship That Important?
So, you’re thinking about tying the knot and have some questions… Well you’ve come to the right place! Premarital education and counseling is a type of therapy that prepares couples for marriage….
Resolutions That Will Change Your Life This New Year
After 29 years on this earth (leave me alone, I can be 29 if I want to be;-)) You would think I could create New Year Resolutions that last beyond the first…
Take a Trip That Will Spark Romance This New Year
“Out with the old, in with the new.” Regardless of what transpired over the course of this past year, ushering in the new one is a call for celebration. Many utilize the…
3 Thoughtful Holiday Gifts That Will Warm Your Wife’s Heart
‘Tis the season for family feasts, cherished traditions, and showing extra love to your wife. Indeed, there is something special about a well-thought-out gift for your bride. And this demonstrates your desire…
Great Gifts For Your Guy Even When You Are Not A Great Gift Giver
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year! All the kindness, cheer, festivities, and joy just make the season bright. I like to consider myself a generous person, who enjoys giving…
How to Effectively Budget for the Holidays With Your Partner
The research is clear, one of the top five things that couples fight about is finances. Unfortunately, the holidays can highlight and add to financial stress for many. The National Retail Federation…
How to Care for Yourself During the Holidays
Do you find yourself stressed out, anxious or depressed during the holidays? Well, you’re not alone! For many, the “joyful holidays” lack much joy altogether. It’s easy to be swept up in…
Do you Practice Kindness in Your Life? This Is How To Do So
November 13th is World Kindness Day. It’s the time of the year where we practice kindness. There are so many holidays that I did not know existed before social media. Some of…
How to Put the Sizzle Back in your Sex Life
It’s the simple things that my husband does that often sparks my desire for him. Now, I confess I love a great date night on the town as much as any girl….
The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Engaged over the Holidays
It seems as though couples get engaged over the holiday more than any other time of year, and why not? With parties, gatherings, food, decor, and celebrations already in place, it’s the…
It’s Time to Improve Communication With Your Significant Other
Miscommunication happens. My husband says, “I think I could’ve said that better.” He says that when he knows what I heard him say didn’t come across exactly the way he intended. Have…
Top 5 Romantic Places to Getaway this Fall
With pumpkin spice lattes back on the menu, fall is upon us. September, October and November are great times for you and your partner to escape and enjoy a romantic getaway! Whether…
Three Creative Ways to Add Fun to Your Relationship
Most relationships start fresh and exciting. It doesn’t take much to have fun and enjoy one another. Over time, however, the newness wears off and the busyness of life can settle in….
Make the Most of Dating This Fall
Fall is one of my favorite times of the year: football games, pumpkin spice coffee, cooler weather in Jacksonville, and fun dates with my hubby. It’s easy for life to get so…
How to Parent a Strong Willed Child
Parenting isn’t an easy task but parenting a strong-willed child can be very challenging. It may seem to be a battle getting your children to do what you have asked, no matter how…
How To Be a Positive Parent
Parenting is hard work. It is easy to get caught up in all the negativity that surrounds raising a child; are you doing it all right? Their behavior, their nutrition, milestones, learning,…
Top Signs You’re In A Relationship For The Wrong Reasons
Have you ever contemplated why you’re still with him? I know I have! Sometimes we fall in a wrong relationship for all the wrong reasons. Looking back, I recall a particular relationship…
When Your Dream Jobs Don’t Align: How to Navigate
You floated through the dating phase, glided to the altar, and maybe even welcomed one or two new additions to the family. But somewhere in the natural flow of life together, you’ve…
5 Barriers to Your Relationship Growth
When couples present to therapy with a challenge they are working through, one question I often ask is “what have you already tried to work on this?” Often, they list the tools…
When is it Time to Break Up?
Isn’t Love in the air? Thinking about breaking up or deciding to stay is pretty common when a relationship isn’t working as expected. According to research, breaking up is considered a major…
What You Need to Know About Emotions
Why is it that we have to deal with emotions? When someone reacts angrily or shows any negative emotion it seems to be uncomfortable for those around. Then, avoiding emotions may be…
Write It Down: 5 Interesting Benefits Of Journaling
Coping with life’s daily stresses can be hard. Sometimes it can feel like once you get through one storm, the next one is right there waiting for you. One of the most…
How to Take a Healthy Break
At some point everyone has experienced a dip in productivity, concentration and focus during the afternoon. This can cause a negative emotional reaction for some, feeling like you are failing or not…
Happy Wife, Happy Life: Celebrate Wife Appreciation Day
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying ‘happy wife, happy life,’ but have you also heard about Wife Appreciation Day? Turns out it’s a real thing. Of course, every couple is unique, and…
Why Is It So Difficult To Stop Stress Eating?
We all have stress and different ways of managing it. Some people handle stress in a healthy way – exercising, talking, reading. Other times we may not handle stress so well. We…
The 5 Stages of Grief: What do they look like?
There are very few people in life that have not experienced some form of loss. From the loss of a relationship, to a loss of a pet, you can recognize the stages…
Sensational Truth: How to Improve Your Mood With Food
We’ve all seen the headlines announcing diet fads, telling us which chemicals to avoid, and foods presenting with a new health-stamp of approval on the daily. It can be difficult to keep…
Top Motivational Books For a Successful Life
There are great self-help books out there waiting for you to read them and improve some aspect of your life. One of the questions a lot of people ask themselves is why…
The Battle of Emotions Between a Man and a Woman
Relationships can be a frustrating thing when you just want your partner to understand you, especially when it concerns your emotions. After trying to talk to your partner, have you ever thought,…
Combating Depression During and After Pregnancy
Many mothers around the world suffer from depression during or after pregnancy. You have probably heard the phrase “Postpartum Depression”. Some people call it “baby blues” and may state that this is…
Keeping Your Relationship Strong During The Struggles Of Infertility
When you and your partner decide to start a family, it can be one of the most exciting times in your relationship. How will you tell your family? Have you pictured how…
Powerful Business Strategies To Improve Your Relationship
Have you ever noticed the similarities of what makes a business successful and a successful relationship? Something to do with business strategies for your relationship. Successful businesses have clearly defined values, goals,…
How to be Assertive in 8 Steps
Assertiveness can sometimes have a negative connotation, but what does assertiveness really mean? It means being able to express what we want and need, as well as setting positions and boundaries. It…
Cell Phone Use: Awesome Insights On How To Improve Family Life
Cell phone use is part of everyone’s life, every day. The use of cell phones can improve your relationships or negatively impact your family life. Have you noticed your cell phone use…
How To Help Children Talk About Mental Health
There is a saying that the role of parents and guardians is to “Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.” Understanding that children and teens can and…
What You Need To Know About National Wellness Month
The month of August brings a lot of thought and activity. There is a push to get last-minute vacations. School is starting, which requires new supplies and adjusting to new sleep patterns….
Amazing Skills to Help You Communicate With Your Kids
Communicating with children can be challenging. If you’re a parent, you have probably experienced some challenges in how you communicate with your kids. According to a study about parent and children communication,…
Self-compassion: A Powerful Skill for Growth
Talking about self-compassion in a world seemingly more competitive and demanding every day sounds like an oxymoron. However, research shows that self-compassion is a powerful skill for growth and learning, also serving…
Moving? It Can Be a Positive Experience!
A beautiful new home, a new opportunity across the country, a bigger apartment, or starting out on your own for the first time can all be exciting adventures. However, moving can be…
The Benefits When You Simplify Your Life
August 1st is the official kick off to simplify your life week! Never heard of this week? To be honest, I hadn’t either until it popped up on one of my calendars….
Can Music Make You Happy?
Ever catch yourself walking by a restaurant with live music or hear a catchy song in the car and feeling just a little boost of joy? Ever since I can remember I’ve…
The Truth About Parenting and Self-care
Self-care as a parent? Parenting and self-care sound like an oxymoron as time and energy for parents usually seem pretty scarce. I’ve heard from different parents having a baby is one of…
How Asking Great Questions Can Improve Your Relationship
My husband and I recently went on a cruise for vacation. If you have never cruised before, it’s worth exploring the option. If you have cruised before, you know there are countless…
The Art of Making Life Beautiful
How do you classify beauty? Are you consumed by appearance, grace and sophistication? Or do you believe beauty comes from within and shows up in ways like personality, kindness, and forgiveness? Beauty…
Exciting Ways To Bond With Your Partner This Summer
One of the best things about living in Florida is the weather. There are so many things to do during summer and this season can be a fun time to get outdoors…
How to Leave a Powerful Legacy for Future Generations
As Father’s Day approaches the thought of leaving a powerful legacy begins to circulate and enter my mind. I think of the legacy my father and his father before him left to…
Special Gifts For A Special Dad This Father’s Day
Finding the right gifts on Father’s Day can be challenging for several reasons. Finding special gifts for a special dad can feel overwhelming. First, all Dad’s are unique and that’s what makes…
5 Fun Activities To Do For Father’s Day
Father’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate fathers with fun activities. Father’s Day is also to celebrate paternal bonds and the efforts male figures provide in our lives. Fathers are vitally…
The Secret Benefits of Humor and Laughter
Smiling, laughter, and humor have so many benefits that it makes sense to have a day to celebrate this natural mood booster. National Smile Day is this week and I I invite…
Exercise Your Way To Positive Mental Health
We all have varying feelings and views about exercise. For some people, it’s their escape and it helps them cope with everyday stressors. For others, they take that too far and use…
How To Have a Successful National Screen Free Week
Let’s talk about Screen Free Week for a minute. How much do you actually spend looking down at your screen? Have a question these days? You can quickly Google it, no problem….
Why Honesty Really is the Best Policy
April 30th is National Honesty Day in the United States. The purpose of Honesty Day is to celebrate and encourage honesty in communication, relationships, and politics. In this day and age I…
The Joy of Sex After 50
I remember a talking to a friend about her parents. She recalls being a teenager and just being grossed out by her parents kissing each other in the kitchen. Or being mortified…
How To Take Vacation Sex Home With You
I’m sure many of you have heard or experienced how vacation sex can be more fun and exciting than sex at home. If you hadn’t heard or experienced this, well there is…
The Truth About Weight, Intimacy and Sex
Most people experience some hit to their sex life at some point or another. Sometimes we are affected by external factors like work, money or family. Other times our sexual experiences may…
How To Use Your Tax Refund To Benefit Your Relationship
Tax Day is quickly approaching which means it is a great time to look how you can use your tax refund to benefit your relationship. Did you know that 78% of American…
Loving Your Teenager: How You Can Create More Connection
Many times I’ve heard parents of teenagers sharing frustrations about their kids “just being a teenager” or wishing for that phase of childhood to pass. This stage of life is a difficult…
The Positives Of Positive Thinking
We all know what being in a funk feels like. Have you ever found yourself stuck in negative thoughts about yourself, your job, or the situation you are in? That’s the funk….
Sexual Healing? Physical Health Benefits Of Sex
It is well known that in a committed relationship, sex is a wonderful way for partners to be both physically and emotionally connected. Research has found that healthy sex in a relationship…
Spring Clean Your Relationship
Now that winter is coming to an end and the first day of spring is here, it’s time to get to the spring cleaning. No, this isn’t a blog about chores and…
Daring To Have Sex After Delivery
Having sex after delivery of a new baby can be a challenge for many couples. Most doctors recommend waiting between 4-6 weeks for sex to avoid pain and complications. It seems that…
How To Break The Cycle Of Rejection in Sex
In my experience, one of the most pressing issues for couples is sex and intimacy. More specifically, the conversation often revolves around the frequency, satisfaction and difference in libidos. According to a…
The Good, The Bad, The Glorious: Benefits Of Make-up Sex
What’s so special about make-up sex? “We felt deeply connected.” “It was so hot!” “I’ve never had a sexual experience that passionate!” “We made love for hours and woke up more in…
The Surprising Benefits Of Napping
Have you ever been hit with that mid day slump? You know the one, when you can barely keep your eyes open and all you want to do is curl on up…
Orgasms And The Brain: A Powerful Way To Improve Your Relationship
Have you ever wondered the role of the brain during orgasms? You probably know sex improves relationships, but have you ever wondered what role orgasms play in your relationship? When a couple…
Enjoy The Most Romantic Getaway To Aspen
One of my favorite parts of the Winter time, other than Christmas and spending time with family, is taking a winter getaway! Unfortunately, in Florida we don’t get to enjoy a lot…
Rejuvenate Your Love With A Weekend In Boston
It’s that time again! Time to escape with your love, reconnect and rejuvenate your relationship. Often after the holidays and the start of the new year, relationships get set to the side…
Take A Weekend Trip To New York City
Sometimes the grind of daily life can wear you down and spending some time away is exactly what you need to reconnect with your partner. Believe it or not, traveling to New…
Spice Up Your Valentine’s Day By Gifting the 5 Senses
The majority of couples I’ve met talk about Valentine’s Day as an unimportant or boring holiday or they say “we don’t really do anything for Valentine’s Day.” Statistics show that 53% of…
Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas Your Girl Will Love
Valentine’s day is quickly approaching and you may find yourself eagerly looking forward to it, or you may be silently dreading it. Finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift can be stressful. Do…
The Best Valentine’s Day Gift For The Man In Your Life
Whether you are in a new relationship, recently married, or have been married for many years, buying your significant other a best Valentines gift can be a tricky thing. This year, Americans…
Luxe Couples Retreat: What You Need To Know And Why You Need To Go
If you follow me on social media, you’ve likely heard me mention the Luxe Couples Retreat in Cancun or Los Cabos, Mexico. I love hosting the Luxe Couples retreat twice a year…
How To Keep Your Cool When Your Toddler Is Melting Down
I’ve heard being a parent is one of the most rewarding, yet challenging endeavors in life you will ever go through. Babies are so sweet and cuddly and then something happens when…
Help Older Children Welcome Baby Home
Welcoming a new baby? Getting married, moving and having children are all new and wonderful life events. As with anything new and exciting in life, these transitions require change. Let’s face it,…
How To Prepare For Your First Child
There are books, magazines, and websites everywhere that talk about getting prepared for parenting. With more than 4 million babies born in the US each year, the advice continues to grow. Some…
Baby’s First Traditions: Creating Meaningful Holidays As A New Family
As we get older the magic of Christmas and the holidays can fade a bit. I recently read this interesting post that explains some of the reasons why that can happen. However, you…
Holiday Gift Guide for Adults: Buy Your Partner the Perfect Gift
Christmas can often be one of the most exciting and highly anticipated days of the year. Unfortunately with all that anticipation can come a lot of stress. In a relationship, buying your…
The Newlywed’s First Holidays: A Guide to New Traditions
The holidays can bring joy and love but also pose challenges for newlyweds. The Newlywed’s first holidays can be exciting and stressful. You may have learned to communicate through your differences, but…
Give More Meaningful Gifts To Children This Christmas
Oh The Joy! Picture it. It is Christmas morning. Mom and Dad have made their coffee. The kids are awake and full of anticipation. They rush into the living room, where the…
Surviving Long Distance Love This Holiday
The joys of the season are upon us. The feeling of good tidings in the air, joyous carolers, holiday gatherings, yummy foods, and gifts for that special someone. Holidays are a time…
How to Communicate with Your Family During the Holidays
Many of us have perfect visions of the holidays – love, traditions like football in the yard, turkey in the oven; the works. However, for some, the holidays can feel disappointing as…
Dealing With In-Laws During The Holidays
Are you one of the lucky few who gets along with your in-laws? Dr. Terri Apter, a psychologist at Cambridge University, recently wrote a book titled, “What Do You Want from Me?:…
Create New Holiday Traditions As A Blended Family During The Holidays
Blending two families together can be hard no matter what season it is. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2011 there were over 1.3 Million households in the United States with…
Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone And Improve Your Relationship
Have you ever heard about how relationships go through “dry spells”? Or if you are in a relationship, have you ever experienced one of these times? The relationship may just feel kind…
When Your Travel Plans Sink: How To Keep Your Relationship Afloat
After months of saving money, working overtime, and being stuck in the daily grind, your relationship is finally getting the revival it needs. Your travel plans are carefully laid out for a…
Making The Most Of Your Vacation, A How To
Have you ever put a lot of time and effort into planning a vacation and been so excited about it only to arrive and something go wrong? You thought you were making…
Sanibel and Captiva Vacation Guide: Favorite Spots for Your Best Getaway
When people hear I am from Florida, they often assume that I’m on a perpetual vacation at the beach. I wish that was true! Unfortunately, I’m so busy with life that I…
Key West Vacation Guide: Favorite Spots For Your Best Getaway
Is daily life getting you down? Maybe you’re feeling extra tired and worn out from the daily grind or maybe you just need some time away to reconnect with yourself or your…
Do Better At Making Time For A Vacation
There’s no denying that life is busy. Regardless of your status, your title, or your lifestyle, I don’t doubt you are busy. I’d also bet you’d love a vacation right now. If…
At Home Date Night With Datebox
One of the most common complaints I hear from couples is that they feel disconnected and aren’t making their relationship a priority. While there are a lot of factors to consider in…
Datebox: Revive Your Marriage By Dating Your Spouse
If you have searched for marriage advice recently, you have probably come across the concept of dating your spouse. Research shows that continually dating your spouse after marriage is a great way…
Stressed? The Best 4 Apps For Coping
We all have routine stress that effects everyday life. Some stresses are easy to let roll off our backs and others stick with us. Without positive coping strategies in place our stress…
Valuable Tips To Combat Decision Fatigue
Recently, a friend was sharing her experience of choosing the details for a new home. She described choosing the floors, the wall colors, the fixtures – everything in the home in a…
The Link Between Physical and Mental Health
A friend of mine was recently complaining about her shoulder hurting while we were having coffee one morning. When I asked how she was, she told me life was pretty good. She…
Too Many Restless Nights? How To Improve Your Sleep Hygiene
Let’s be honest, most of us probably do not get enough sleep. Sometimes I can get caught up watching TV, reading, online shopping or hanging out with my family that suddenly I’ve…
How To Avoid The New Baby Blues In Your Relationship
Welcoming a new baby into the world is one of the greatest blessings and miracles couples experience. To many individuals and couples, having a baby is a dream come true. One that…
Why Healthy Boundaries Are So Important For Teenagers
Parenting a teenager may be one of the most difficult and experiences that parents go through. Even if you aren’t a parent yet, you can probably look back and sympathize with your…
An Easy Guide To Honest Communication With Your Teenager
One of the most common things I hear from my teenage clients is – “I wish my parents would just listen,” “They do not understand,” “They still treat me like a little…
Easy Tips For A Happy and Healthy Blended Family
Struggles with blending families and co-parenting is one of the most common issues we see amongst couples who are remarried or have step children. Sometimes we even hear couples say their relationship…
Why You Should Take A Time Out During Conflict
If you are a parent (and even if you’re not) it’s likely you know what a time out is. What about for adults? When would that be appropriate? For some individuals the…
Breaking The Cycle Of Codependency: Help For Codependents
If you have read the previous blog post, “Are You Codependent, 6 Ways to tell”, then you may have learned that codependency could be described as “using a relationship to fill a…
Repair The Hurt: Repair The Relationship
I’m betting at some point in time you’ve made a mistake and felt really bad about it? If it’s a stranger maybe you feel bad for a bit but then shake it…
Are You Codependent? 6 Ways To Tell
What is Codependency? Codependency is easily observed but difficult to define. Codependency is going to excess to meet the needs of another while sacrificing your own. People who are codependent often use…
Divorce And Co-Parenting: How To Protect Your Kids
Although every divorce situation is entirely unique, I’ve never seen one in my years of doing therapy that I’d call easy. Even the most cordial couple going through a divorce experiences deep pain…
How To Talk To Your Child About Traumatic Events
It seems that no matter where we turn these days there is a tragic event taking place. From natural disasters to mass shootings these events can be difficult for adults to wrap…
Parenting with Boundaries: Be The Best Parent Not The Best Friend
A good friend once told me that she and her daughter were best friends. She bragged that her daughter told her everything. I wondered in that moment if perhaps being the “best…
What Kind Of Parent Are You?
If you’re a parent then you know parenting is one of the most rewarding yet painstaking tasks ever. Children show us a love we’ve never known, they give us laughter and joy,…
Learn How To Have A Better Marriage Before You Say I Do
After getting engaged, it’s natural to have so many thoughts on your mind. There is excitement, planning, how to announce to family and friends and spending time with your marriage with your…
Don’t Let Money Destroy Your Happily Ever After
Arguing about money in marriage is common. Forbes published a study conducted by the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysis citing financial stress is the third leading cause of divorces. This statistic is definitely…
How to Offer A Sincere Apology in Six Steps
As a therapist and human being, there are a few things I know to be true about people in relationships. One is that we all need acceptance, love, and security. The second…
How To Be Far Apart Without Falling Apart
As a good friend of a military wife, I’ve seen her spend many periods of time away from her husband. I am all too familiar with the struggle of a having to…
Does Someone You Love Have Anxiety? 8 Ways To Help
Most of us know what anxiety feels like or have loved someone with anxiety. If you have anxiety, you know exactly what it feels like. If you think you’ve never experienced anxiety…
Learn How To Give Forgiveness And Be Forgiven
At some point in your life, it’s pretty much guaranteed you will experience conflict, hurt, or be let down by someone you care about. You will also hurt someone else or let…
Boost Your Self-Esteem With These 4 Easy Tips
My teenage daughter recently discovered that she needed braces. The disappointment on her face spoke volumes as she started protesting, “I already have glasses now I’m going to have BRACES?” Sadly, she…
The Importance of Coping Skills, Why They Matter
As a therapist who works with a variety of populations and problems there are different interventions and techniques that work for different clients. However, there is one thing that works for everyone…
Learn How To Cope With Depression
Have you ever woken up and just felt like you were “in a funk?” Maybe you didn’t want to get out of bed, even if you slept well. You probably didn’t want…
The Dangers Of Mental Health Stigmas and How You Can Help
Have you ever been in a room full of strangers and felt like everyone is staring at you or whispering about you? What if you found out that those people didn’t want…
It’s Time To Start Talking About Suicide
I distinctly remember the first time I heard about someone I knew who took their own life. I was in the 7th grade and he went to my school. He was a…
How To Stay In Control Of Your Wedding Plans With Grace
Congratulations, you are engaged! Now comes the fun part where you get to plan your day to be exactly as you and your fiancé want it to go…or do you? As with…
4 Ways To Avoid Letting Wedding Stress Get The Best Of You
Have you ever seen those romantic engagement photos or videos of creative proposals? They’re all over my social media—two people in love, diving into commitment for a happily ever after. Their posts…
Ready To Marry? 4 Ways To Be Sure
I remember when I was in middle school, dreaming about the day I would get engaged and the perfect wedding I would have. When you’re 10 you don’t understand that getting engaged…
Assumptions: Are You Really Seeing What You Think You Are?
You’d be surprised at how often I hear a client say, “I just assumed,” “I thought,” “I know how my partner is” or “It’s so obvious.” These are key indicators people are…
What You Need To Know About Nonverbal Cues And Your Relationship
Have you ever gotten the sense that someone is mad at you and they haven’t said a word? Or maybe you’ve felt terrified but thought you were hiding it, only for everyone…
One Key To a Successful Relationship? Boundaries
As a therapist, one of the most common questions I’m asked is the secret to a good relationship. People want to know what they can do or say that will quickly and…
Feeling Disconnected? What You Need To Understand About Your Partner
One of the biggest issues couples who come to therapy are experiencing is the inability to communicate effectively. Whether it be about kids, finances, in-laws, faith, or sex – if a couple…
How To Parent Like A Boss Over The Summer
As the days grow longer and warmer, our children begin to get more and more excited as they look forward to summer break! Who wouldn’t be excited about warm weather, fun actives, exciting…
How To Experience Greater Intimacy In Your Relationship
What comes to mind when you hear the word intimacy? Some people think of sex. Others might think of intimacy as being emotionally close to someone – sharing feelings, having a deep…