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What’s the Difference? Relationship Dealbreakers, Incompatibilities & Perpetual Problems
Relationships are beautifully complex. They can be challenging, with issues that test the strength of your bond. Understanding the differences between dealbreakers, incompatibilities, perpetual problems, and differences in core values can help you navigate your relationship better and determine when couples therapy might be needed.
Managing Election Anxiety: Strategies for Staying Grounded
If you're feeling on edge about the upcoming election, you're in good company. Elections can be a significant source of anxiety, especially when the stakes feel high. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the political climate and the uncertainty surrounding election outcomes, welcome. Here are some techniques to lower this specific kind of anxiety.
Boundaries Are Over; Here’s What’s Next
When therapy terms like "boundaries" become widespread, they often get diluted and distorted. People invoke boundaries when making selfish or unkind decisions, using the term as a barrier instead of a helpful relationship tool. After years of helping people with trauma and relationship problems, we've seen the downsides of this distortion. It's sometimes used to gaslight and avoid responsibility. But we're not advising to abandon the concept of boundaries altogether. Here's the future of how we talk about boundaries.
Transform Your Life Through 6 Essential Boundaries
Our lives require a delicate balance of self-care and commitment to others. Most of us err on the side of overcommitting to things and building resentment when we have little time or energy for ourselves. The results can be disastrous: conflict, exhaustion, burnout, and health problems. Here are six essential boundaries you can set to build better balance.
Dealing With Difficult People: The Gray Rock Technique
Dealing with difficult people is exhausting. You find yourself dreading interactions, uncertain how to avoid the drama. That's where the Gray Rock Technique comes in. It's a powerful tool to maintain your peace of mind when dealing with challenging people.
Therapeutic Book Review: Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Tawwab
Nedra Tawwab's "Set Boundaries, Find Peace" is a fabulous book. It has an overall tone of empowerment and permission to honor your own needs. She uses real-life examples from her therapy patients to explore how setting boundaries improved their lives. It's filled with truth bombs and how-tos for handling challenges in relationships. While Tawwab navigates the landscape of boundaries with confidence, a few topics are left unexplored. Here is our honest review, including sections we wish she'd included.
Barbie, Ken, and the Art of Setting Boundaries
In the 2023 Barbie film, there lies a profound lesson in setting boundaries. Yes, you read that right. Barbie can teach us a thing or two about asking asserting our needs. Barbie sets boundaries with Ken with conviction, compassion, and without guilt. So, grab your imaginary popcorn, and let's dive into the world of Barbie, Ken, and the art of setting boundaries.
Holiday Gatherings: Three Steps to Thrive With Complicated Family Dynamics
The holiday season brings the promise of joy and togetherness. But for many of us, the prospect of spending extended time with family can be a source of stress and anxiety. If you find yourself in a situation where the holidays with family are more challenging than cheery, fear not. We've got three practical steps to not only survive but thrive during this festive season.
Embarrassment, Humiliation, and Shame: Understanding the Differences
Embarrassment, humiliation, and shame often get lumped together. But they each have unique characteristics. Let's explore the distinctions between these feelings, what causes them, and how to respond.
Dealing With Challenging In-Laws: How Couples Should Handle Complex Dynamics
They say that why you marry someone, you marry their family. While some in-laws become beloved members of your extended family, others present challenges. It takes skill to navigate these complexities while preserving the unity of your chosen family. Let's explore various types of challenging in-laws and how to communicate with your spouse.
Is There Such a Thing as Unconditional Love? A Therapist Weighs In
The concept of unconditional love is often depicted as the purest, most noble form of love. It knows no bounds or limitations. The thought of it feels good. But is unconditional love truly attainable?
Attachment and Emotional Intimacy: Understanding Trauma Dumping
There's a fine line between opening up and oversharing. We've all been in an awkward situation with that, right? Those moments when you're just getting to know someone, and suddenly they unleash their deepest traumas on you. It's like emotional TMI, and it's called "trauma dumping."
What To Do When Someone Sets a Harsh Boundary With You
How to respond to harsh and unreasonable boundaries.
Relationship Green Flags
California therapist Alexis Bibler shares 8 things to look for in a partner as you're dating.
Setting Healthy Boundaries This Holiday Season
Tips on setting healthy boundaries over the holidays from a therapist.
Holidays as a Couple: A Guide to Love, Negotiations, and New Traditions
A therapist gives advice about how to communicate with your partner around the holidays.
Quiet Quitting is Actually Just Having Good Boundaries with Work
How to set good boundaries at work according to a therapist.
From a Therapist: What Does Self-Care Really Mean?
Self-care gives you time & energy for everything that you love & allows you to keep up with all those things that you’ve chosen to prioritize in your life.
What’s the Difference Between Boundaries and Barriers?
The foundation of a boundary is a loving thing. Setting a boundary is saying “If you’re there and I’m here, we’re good.”
Our latest podcast guest episodes
Listen to what our therapists are talking about on the latest podcasts and more!
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Our Teletherapy Services In California & Florida
We offer individualized teletherapy for a wide range of mental health and relational issues. Our San Francisco & Los Angeles teletherapists can help with anxiety, trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, LGBT issues, holistic therapy, enneagram therapy, therapy for lawyers, couples therapy, and therapy for teenagers. We serve many people in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Los Angeles, as well as throughout California and Florida. Our team is anti-racist, body positive, LGBT and trans affirming and sex positive. You deserve to feel good!