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The Codependent False Self
Codependents don’t realize that they’re living from their false self. Because the false self isn’t real, you might feel anxious trying to be accepted by others or believe that they can see through you or are judging you. There’s an immediacy and aliveness in living...

Defensiveness Can Be Harmful to a Marriage
By Terry Gaspard, LICSW During tough conversations, it’s helpful to choose battles wisely and to distinguish between what is and what isn’t worth making an issue about. For instance, Grace, 34, and Hugh, 35, often find themselves arguing about the same things over and...

Conflict Doesn’t Have to Be Destructive, it Can Help You Achieve Lasting Love
Terry Gaspard, LICSW Most of us dislike conflict. Very few people were raised with healthy role models for dealing with differences. But while conflict may appear to be a destructive force in relationships, it can actually help us achieve lasting love. It's crucial to...

Rebuilding Parental Self Esteem After Divorce Takes Its Toll!
By Rosalind Sedacca, CDC We all know divorce can be devastating on many levels. But sometimes we forget its emotional toll. In addition to the physical and financial stress on both partners, divorce can also wreak havoc on one’s self-esteem. Even those who initiate...

A Fresh Start – Starting Over After a Divorce
There's no set timeframe when it comes to moving on after a divorce. There are days when you'll wake up feeling happy and energized, ready to face the world, and other times, you won't feel like getting out of bed at all. Whatever you need to do to recover is valid as...

8 Conversations to Have With Your Partner
By Susan Scott, Fierce Inc. Founder, and bestselling author When you’re finally ready to dive into your next relationship, remember that conversation is a driving factor to its success- whether you are expressing gratitude, giving feedback, or apologizing. The...

The Narcissistic Parent
A narcissistic parent behaves as they imagine themselves to be—the king or queen of the family, or someone whose activities are more important than being part of the family. As a child, your parents are your world until you’re able to leave home. Your survival and...

Relationship “Gridlock” and How to Conquer It
By Terry Gaspard, LICSW What can you do to improve your marriage or relationship when you struggle to manage arguments and feel you’re stuck in a negative pattern of relating? While this is a common problem, the solutions are far from ordinary. During a recent couples...

8 Key Ways We Derail Love
By Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT Although we seek love, we may unwittingly damage or derail it. Surprisingly, our fear of not being loved, which includes fear of abandonment, loneliness, and rejection, can lead to eight common behaviors that sabotage love and...

How To Create a More Amicable, Low-Conflict Divorce!
By Rosalind Sedacca, CDC Anyone going through divorce knows it inevitably stirs up charged emotions -- some anticipated and others unexpected. And when children are involved, the process is exponentially more complex and challenging. One of the biggest battlegrounds...