Dear Dr. Tracy

In this episode of From the Couch, Dr. Tracy talks about what really happens after ending a toxic or narcissistic relationship and why healing isn’t just emotional—it’s neurological. When you’ve spent years being shamed, blamed, or dismissed, your nervous system learns that mistakes and disagreements aren’t safe. Neurons that fire together wire together, meaning your body develops reflexive respon...

In this episode, Dr. Tracy and Greg explore what really happens to couples during the holiday season—the mental load, the invisible labour, the unspoken assumptions, and those moments when partners suddenly realize they feel more like roommates than a connected team. Dr. Tracy explains why the holidays create the perfect storm for disconnection, how stress triggers negative sentiment override, and...

In this short, impactful episode, Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish answers one of the most common questions she hears: Should I hold out for an apology from a parent or in-law? When you share your hurt and they respond with defensiveness, justification, or minimization, it often triggers shame and escalation—leaving you feeling unseen and even more frustrated. Dr....

What really happens behind closed doors when two iconic artists build a marriage, a family, and a creative life together? In this intimate conversation, I sit down with Canadian musicians Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace) and Chantal Kreviazuk to talk about the real work of long-term love. We explore the story behind their documentary I’m Going to Break Your Heart, the “burnt chicken” moment that revea...

In moments of conflict, it’s easy to feel unheard—and to keep “piling on” examples in the hope that your partner will finally understand. But what if that very habit is the thing preventing real repair? In this episode, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish unpacks why we overload our partners during arguments, how it triggers defensiveness, and what to do instead to foster connection and accountability. You’ll lea...

Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions in your relationship—managing, reacting, doing, but not truly connecting? In this candid conversation, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish and her husband Greg explore what it means to slip into autopilot mode—that state where we function out of habit rather than intention. They unpack the science and psychology behind it, revealing how early experiences...

In this From the Couch episode, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish answers a listener’s question about navigating conflict with a sister-in-law. Using her expertise as a psychologist and couples therapist, she unpacks toxic family patterns, explores loyalty binds within families, and shares practical strategies to help couples stay united when extended-family dynamics create tension. Learn how to set boundaries,...

Have you ever felt caught between your partner and his mother—or wondered how a whole book on that exact dynamic comes to life?  In this cozy, behind-the-scenes conversation, Dr. Tracy sits down with her husband Greg to share the real story of writing You, Your Husband, and His Mother—from 4:30 a.m. writing sessions and walking voice notes, to landing a Big 5 book deal and holding the finished boo...

In Season 2, Episode 2 of Nobody Wants This, Joanne delivers the now-viral line: “Mothers have been hating their son’s girlfriends since the beginning of time…” — and it’s the ultimate masterclass in boundaries. Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, clinical psychologist and author of You, Your Husband, and His Mother, unpacks why Bina’s behavior is a textbook case of enmeshment, guilt, and control disguised as ca...

In this final episode of the series, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, psychologist and relationship expert, discusses the importance of emotional intelligence in family dynamics, particularly focusing on the role of mothers-in-law. She outlines key behaviors that emotionally intelligent mothers-in-law exhibit, such as protecting the couple unit, communicating effectively, owning their impact, including withou...

In this From the Couch session, Psychologist and Relationship Expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish breaks down one of the biggest questions she gets during the holiday season: What’s the difference between a boundary and a threat? If you’ve ever said, “I’m not hosting this year,” or “If you keep acting like that, we’re never coming over again,” this episode will help you understand why one creates peace and...

In this special episode of Dear Dr. Tracy, clinical psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish sits down with her husband, Greg, to answer real, anonymous listener questions about mothers-in-law (MILs), in-law dynamics, holiday boundaries, and getting on the same page as a couple.  Drawing from her upcoming book, You, Your Husband, and His Mother (launching November 4), Dr. Tracy bre...

Defensiveness is one of the most common reasons couples get stuck in repetitive fights — but few people understand what’s actually driving it. In this episode, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Tracy Dalgleish explains the psychology of defensiveness, how shame and fear of rejection play a role, and the proven tools that help couples communicate without walls going up. Learn how to respond without reactin...

In this special episode of Dear Dr. Tracy, part of the You, Your Husband, and His Mother book launch series, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish sits down with therapist and author Whitney Goodman to unpack one of the most misunderstood family experiences — estrangement. Together, they explore why more people are creating distance from toxic or boundary-violating family members, what healthy families actually loo...

From The Couch - Short hits, hot topics. The I_am_sherlocked phenomenon has taken over Threads — but what’s really drawing us in isn’t just her posts, it’s what they represent. From The Couch, I explore why we’re so captivated by someone unapologetically setting boundaries and saying no without guilt. We’ll unpack what this viral moment reveals about women’s exhaustion, people-pleasing, and the de...

In Part 2 of my MIL book-launch series, I sit down with creator Janelle (@heyjanellemarie) to unpack “Daughter-in-Law Math,” the thousand paper-cut moments that erode trust, and the real power dynamics between mothers-in-law, sons, and couples. We explore passive aggression, exclusion, gossip, and double standards—plus practical tools for the holiday season: code words, aligned exits, and repair t...

In this From the Couch mini-session, Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Expert Dr. Tracy explores one of the most common conflicts couples face: when a husband says, “I just want my mom and my wife to get along.” Dr. Tracy unpacks why this well-intentioned desire often backfires, leading to tension, invalidation, and emotional disconnection in the marriage. Drawing from her nearly 20 years of...

In this special solo episode of Dear Dr. Tracy, Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish kicks off a new series leading up to the launch of her highly anticipated book, You, Your Husband, and His Mother. Drawing from nearly 20 years of working with couples, Dr. Tracy explores the five most common struggles women face with their mother-in-law, including criticism, boundary...

Have you ever wondered if it’s okay to set boundaries with family, or how to repair your marriage after a fight about in-laws? In this episode of Dear Dr. Tracy, Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish dives into two powerful listener questions that so many couples and families struggle with. First, Dr. Tracy explores the question: “Is it okay to intentionally avoid a sib...

Most expecting parents prepare everything for baby—birth plan, hospital bag, freezer meals, nursery, car seat—but rarely prepare their relationship. Clinical psychologist and couples therapist Dr. Tracy Dalgleish explores the realities of the postpartum relationship—from mental load and sleep deprivation to resentment, disconnection, and shifts in intimacy after birth. She’s joined by Dr. Cassidy...

Dr. Tracy sits down with Alyssa Blask Campbell, author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions and the new Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, to explore the challenges of parenting kids ages 5–12. They discuss why age seven often feels like a turning point, how identity and independence begin to emerge, and what parents can do to stay connected while giving their kids space to grow. Together they unpack sibling conf...

In this episode of Dear Dr. Tracy, clinical psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish explores why partners often feel like they “say the wrong thing” or come across as too critical. Drawing on a listener’s story, she highlights how inner criticism, rejection sensitivity, and Enneagram One tendencies can fuel negative interaction cycles. Dr. Tracy offers practical strategies—such as...

In this episode of Dear Dr. Tracy, clinical psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish is joined by her husband Greg for part two of their deep dive on trust in relationships. Building on last week’s conversation about the difference between love and trust, attachment styles, and how trust is broken, this episode focuses on five powerful ways to rebuild trust after betrayal or discon...

In this episode of Dear Dr. Tracy, Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish sits down with her husband, Greg, to tackle one of the most common questions in relationships: “I love my partner, but why don’t I trust them?”Together, they unpack the difference between love and trust—and why love alone doesn’t guarantee a secure relationship. Drawing from real client stories, pa...

In this episode of Dear Dr. Tracy, Dr. Tracy and Greg explore a listener’s struggle with saying no to her husband’s request—especially when his disappointment feels “loud and heavy.” During a tense family vacation at his parents’ cottage, she wanted to leave early, but agreed to stay longer to avoid upsetting him—only to end up in tears. They unpack:Why so many people put their own needs aside to...