This past weekend I attended a training in Tampa for Gottman Couples Training Level 1. As is usual when I finish a training I feel rejuvinated and excited to apply what I have learned in my practice. Dr. John Gottman is probably the foremost couples therapy researcher in the United... Continue reading

The Effectiveness of Anti-Depressants Questioned This article discusses how ant-depressants make some patients with depression feel worse. For years it was commonly thought that medication and talk psychotherapy help patents with depression. Research is increasingly showing talk therapies like Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) are very effective in the treatment of... Continue reading

Marsha Linehan's self-disclosure about her mental illness. Continue reading

How is your relationship? You might think everything is OK. But have you asked your partner how he or she thinks your relationship is going? I don't mean asking your partner "We're good, right?", in between commercials while you watch TV together. If you are interested in getting feedback from... Continue reading

A new PTSD study suggests that some individuals may pre-disposed to traumatic stress disorders due to the presence of biochemical PACAB in the brain that may affect the way the brain responds to stress. The research may lead to diagnostic tests that determine what individuals may be pre-disposed, in addition... Continue reading

Last night I spoke at Nova Southeastern in Orlando about conflict in relationships. After my talk someone asked me how the internet and specifically Facebook effects relationships. In a nutshell, Facebook is a great way to reconnect but also a sure way to marital strife if misused. The internet is... Continue reading

One of the biggest predictors that a relationship is doomed to fail is a high degree of contempt between couples in their arguments. Contempt in communication is typically characterized as disrespectful and condescending communication. An antidote to contempt in communication is developing and cultivating appreciation in the relationship. When working... Continue reading

Our relationships and interactions during our early development are so important in determining our attachment style. Attachment style is about how we experience and are experienced in relationships. If one grows up in a nurturing and caring family, most likely that individual will have secure attachment. On the other hand... Continue reading

A recent study finds that counseling / psychotherapy changes the brain of individuals with social anxiety. There seems to be a belief by some that medication is more effective due to the amount of research and science backing the 'efficacy' of medication. In comparison to medications, there has been far... Continue reading

Sunday's New York Times had a great article about the poor care for troops who have experienced PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury. The President's new budget includes $7.2 billion for treatment and research for PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury. Definitely a step in the right direction. President Obama's fiscal 2012... Continue reading

ACOA, Adult Children of Alcoholics are individuals who grew up in dysfunctional families that were affected by addiction. I would broaden the term ACOA to include individuals who grew up in a dysfunctional family. While addiction certainly creates dysfunction in a family, children growing up with parents with soft addictions... Continue reading

Guys do you want to give something that will really excite your Valentines? Check-out the link below. Seriously, research suggests women are more apt to become amorous if their mate shares in the housework and chores. What are you waiting for clean the bathroom! http://www.amazon.com/Women-Cambridge-Womens-Pornography-Cooperative/dp/0811855511 Sex Continue reading

Great article about a woman and her experiences through the life cycle of a marriage. Funny but also touching. I think I will share this to couples this week during couples counseling. One of the more poignant marriage savers the author writes about was when she realized she "had not... Continue reading

Below is a link to an interesting article which I would tend to agree with - One of my patients came to her counseling session excited because she had been reading John Gray's book "Men Are from Mars, and Women Are from Venus". I did not tell her I did... Continue reading

Social media is getting much attention since the 'revolt' in Egypt. Social media, like Facebook clearly is changing our world. However, there are some drawbacks to social media. In the past year I have had a number of couples seek couples counseling because a spouse or partner is spending too... Continue reading

Reading this article this morning has reinforced my opinion that the men and women serving in that armed services are getting the short end of the stick when it comes to mental health care. My expereince in dealing with the VA is that it is a bureacatic system that is... Continue reading

This article about Michael Ferrara and his struggle with PTSD is very inspiring but also points out how the public often views PTSD as a disorder that affects primarily combat veterans. Combat veterans certainly are at high risk for PTSD but civilians are too. Anyone who witnesses a traumatic event... Continue reading

Unfortunately when couples marry they do not receive a manual on communication skills. Some couples benefit from pre-marital counseling but often those sessions are not all that effective. So the question still remains, why do couples lack communications skills? One of the most important factors is how you are brought... Continue reading

Great article and a must read for anyone who is affected by their marijuana usage or use by a friend or relative. NEW YORK — Smoking marijuana has been linked with an increased risk of mental illness, and now researchers say that when pot smokers do become mentally ill, the... Continue reading