Imperfect Love

AI--artificial intelligence--has upsides, but many people are increasingly concerned about the very real downsides that come with the overuse or misuse of AI. Parents are increasingly worried about the impact on children's cognitive abilities and social skills. And even adults who embrace AI have questions about what's really safe and what's not. And when we look at AI and how it might harm not ju...

Despite our hopes and dreams, the mother-daughter relationship isn't always easy or free of troubles. In fact, if you are a daughter--or have one--it's likely that you've had your share of challenges along the way. Yet, by breaking intergenerational patterns that hold us back from the type of connection we yearn for, we can pave the way toward healthier, more attuned relationships with those you l...

You've likely heard a lot about attachment styles and how they impact your life and your relationships. Yet you might not have had a chance to dive into the details that will help you understand, heal, and even change your own attachment style, whether it's anxious, avoidant, disorganized, or somewhere in between. As a clinical psychologist and attachment theory expert, I'm consistently stunned by...

Billions of people around the world are affected by trauma, and none of us are immune. Whether you've experienced trauma in childhood or adulthood, the impact can be pervasive and long lasting. And in today's divisive, unsettled world, traumatic experiences seem to be lurking at every turn. This often creates feelings of overwhelm, powerlessness, and anxiety. Yet I've found that hope and healing a...

If you're a parent, you might expect yourself to automatically have the right skills and inherent ability to help your child thrive. Yet no matter your child's age, you've likely found that parenting is no easy task. As every child is unique, even the most well-prepared parents often find themselves struggling. If issues such as neurodivergence and trauma enter the picture, things can get even mor...

Sex has always been a hot topic, and in today's world, it's getting even more attention. When we think of sex and relationships, romantic images often come to mind. We might think of intimacy, sexual play, and passion-filled nights. Yet many couples--whether married or not – come to a point where a lack of sexual intimacy becomes a major concern. Today, I'll explore this sensitive topic with you o...

Our hormones are essential to our mental and physical health, yet we often don't understand (or we minimize) the key role hormones play in fostering our wellbeing. And to make matters worse, many--or dare I say most – medical practitioners are not given adequate training when it comes to understanding the role hormones play in the health of our bones, heart, muscles, and brain. And when our bodily...

Have you been bombarded with messages encouraging you to buy into the next greatest supplement, wellness hack, or fitness routine? Do you get exhausted from wrestling with contradictory information when it comes to wellness advice? If you're like me, it's easy to get confused when it comes to making the right personal choices on the ever-changing wellness journey. Today, I'm very excited to bring...

Recovering from trauma isn't easy. In fact, it can be a lifetime of work. Yet all too often, I've found that even people suffering from serious trauma, including complex PTSD, expect themselves to heal quickly or without any psychological support. In real life, however, healing from trauma takes time, gentle effort, and perseverance. As it's not always easy to access professional psychological sup...

Feeling anxious, worried, or depressed? Do you experience stress-related issues with your sleep, diet, work, or relationships? If so, you're in the company of over a billion other people whose lives are negatively impacted by stress every day--and the problem is growing worse over time. And as stress feeds a host of emotional, mental, and physical problems, it's important to find easy ways to slow...

Does your life path sometimes feel like a wild obstacle course with unforeseen changes and challenges at every turn? If you've encountered unexpected shifts in your relationships, work life, finances, or health, you know how daunting and stressful they can be. Yet when we learn to embrace the hurdles life brings us, we can use them to shape our stories and path in life.  Today, I'm joined by Dr. R...

The sounds around us can be harmful – or helpful – to our mental, emotional, and physical health. Loud noises such as sirens and heavy daily traffic can trigger the brain's threat response, and this can damage our well-being in the short and long term. Yet when we mindfully choose to bring soothing sounds into our lives, the benefits can be tremendous. Whether you enjoy the gentle flow of a song m...

Whether you're approaching your 30s, 40s, 50s, or are well into your later years, you're likely experiencing big and little health changes that may make your life seem messy and out of balance. Yet all too often, we don't get the caring medical attention we deserve and need. This can have a huge impact on everything from your body image and moods to your physical health and relationships. And if y...

As parents, we often expect ourselves to be completely calm – and even perfect – no matter what comes our way. Yet, in real life, it's all too easy to get stressed and reactive when parenting gets challenging. Internal and external demands can become overwhelming and knock us off center--and this can raise big feelings such as disappointment, anger, and self-doubt. So what are the secrets to creat...

Do you have magnetic energy? Some people seem to have the "it" quality – that indefinable allure that pulls people toward them. Certain experts think it's a matter of pheromones, while others believe it's a mix of physical and psychological qualities that creates the draw. From my personal and professional experience, I've found that natural charisma and physical looks have a place in the mysterio...

Complex trauma is more common than you might think. Many people face a host of significant challenges such as damaging childhood experiences, relationship abuse, and terrifying life events. The impact of traumatic experiences can surely accumulate over time even though we're often unaware of the significant mental, emotional, and physical toll. Sadly, we end up merely "holding it together" as we m...

Do you struggle with imposter syndrome? Do you consciously or unconsciously engage in self-sabotaging behaviors? Do fear, anxiety, and negative patterns get in the way of your ability to grow and shine as your authentic self? As a clinical psychologist, I've found that low self-worth and self-sabotaging behaviors are often the biggest impediments to living a joyful, abundant life. If you're yearni...

Have you ever felt stuck in life, wondering where your true path may be? Although we often feel like we should know exactly what we're doing and where we're going in life, I've found – from personal and professional experience – that it's quite normal to get confused and stuck at least once along the way. Wouldn't it be lovely if you could discover a map for navigating life's challenges? And would...

Do you find yourself giving in to others or letting go of your boundaries just to feel loved, included, or accepted? If this sounds familiar, take heart; it's an extremely common issue. Healthy boundaries are essential for healthy relationships, but it's often tough to create and enforce strong boundaries –especially if they weren't modeled in your early years.  In today's episode, I'm joined by a...

Marriage – or any long-term romantic relationship – can be one of life's most joyful partnerships. Yet, sometimes, what was once a promising union can become more like a roommate situation or worse. If you're in a romantic relationship that's gone (or is going) a bit south, today's episode promises a wealth of actionable relationship and intimacy tips to help you and your romantic life thrive. Joi...

How to Tune into the Power of Your Intuition, Creativity, and Imagination Do you ever feel like your instinct – or some sense of deep knowing and natural wisdom – is giving you information that your rational mind tells you is illogical or wrong? Or perhaps you've been told by a partner, friend, or family member that your choices aren't as analytical as they ought to be. In fact, we're often remind...

The journey through a serious medical condition is never easy, but when the diagnosis is cancer, it can be downright harrowing. As a clinical psychologist and woman, I've personally known the deep pain of losing loved ones to cancer, and the challenges are surely intense. And for all the souls who have been through similar experiences, you know how taxing it can be physically, mentally, and spirit...

Top Tips to Improve Your Wellbeing and Change Unhealthy HabitsDo you often feel exhausted, stressed, or simply out of balance? Do you have unhealthy habits that make you feel stuck? It might sound odd, but your emotions and mindset have a huge impact on your brain and body–just like your food, exercise, and sleep habits. In fact, your gut–the home of your enteric nervous system–engages in bidirect...

How to Identify Narcissistic Friendships & Emotional Vampires Narcissism can infect friendships in silent, toxic ways! Overt narcissists tend to have obviously self-centered traits, and this makes it fairly easy to spot them and keep them at bay. Covert narcissists can be difficult to detect; they can pull you in with subtle, exploitative games. Often termed "vampire friendships," they can lea...

Key Tips for Improving Maternal Mental HealthIf you're a mom–or know someone who is–you're likely aware of how challenging the journey of motherhood can be. And issues such as medical gaslighting can make matters worse. From fertility problems, miscarriages, and perinatal (prenatal and postpartum) depression to not having a solid support system, many women feel lost, hopeless, and abandoned during...