Your Secret Is Safe With Me

Wanting relief from uncomfortable feelings doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. In fact, it's a natural, human response. However, it's important to determine whether you're actually dealing with your discomfort or simply avoiding it. As Dr. Marie Murphy says, the short-term satisfaction you find through avoiding uncomfortable feelings is typically outweighed by long-term consequences. Bu...

What does it mean to have good sex? Has science uncovered the truth about what feeds desire? And, is there a way to redefine your understanding of sexuality and rekindle a positive sexual relationship with your partner? According to Dr. Barry McCarthy, sexuality consists of three components: intimacy, pleasure, and eroticism. For a healthy sexual relationship to exist, those components need to be...

When a couple relocates for one person's job, it can be difficult to adjust to the new circumstances. Yael Haklai-Neagu, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, knows from first-hand experience just how challenging that process can be. When she moved to the United States for her partner's job 16 years ago, she had to overcome a number of difficulties — including the extra stress the relocation p...

How can you lower your levels of anxiety, stress, and negativity? Is it possible to change how you feel by changing the way that you think? And, can you improve your relationships by learning how to be more present? According to Dr. Richard Gold, mindfulness and meditation are the keys to relieving your stress, boosting your mood, and even improving your relationships. He suggests that by changing...

Dealing with the loss of any relationship can be difficult, and the end of an affair is no different. However, because of the secretive and taboo nature of infidelity, navigating the emotional aftermath can be confusing and lonely — especially if there's nowhere to turn for support. So, how can you manage that lingering sadness and find the right path forward? If you're looking for a better way to...

Leaving a bad relationship can be scary when you don't have the resources to support yourself on your own. But, figuring out how to manage your finances is only part of the equation. Dealing with your emotional entanglements with money can be just as challenging as you work to get yourself back on track—and prepare for future relationships. This was especially true for Financial Coach Christine Lu...

You should never try and fit yourself into a mold of someone else's preferences. But, deciding to go against societal norms can be challenging. So, how do you know if a big decision—such as opening up your relationship—will be worth it in the end? When Susan Wenzel decided to try nonmonogamy with her partner, she struggled with a range of difficult emotions before finding happiness. As she says, w...

Recovering from an affair is a difficult and emotional process. From dealing with shame to deciding whether or not to move forward, many couples aren't sure of how to begin healing. Wouldn't it be helpful if there was someone you could turn to for guidance on your journey to a new and stronger relationship? After working with couples who were recovering from infidelity, Idit Sharoni realized that...

Most people would agree that your partner can't fill every role in your life, but what happens when they're unwilling to explore your sexual desires? If you love your spouse and don't want to break up your family, do you simply accept going without and learn to live with suppressing your sexual needs? After spending years repressing her sexual desires and coping with feelings of rejection in her m...

Affairs can be intoxicating, but they can also leave you feeling confused and ashamed once the excitement wears off. So, why do people cheat, and what makes an affair difficult to end? And, once you've been caught in your lie, how can you salvage your relationship? A lot of the answers for why we do what we do can be traced back to the chemicals flooding our brains. Much like being under the influ...

Getting out of an abusive relationship is extremely difficult, but the work doesn't end there—not if you truly want to revitalize and reinvent your life. But, where do you begin when you're ready to start over? Alta M. Felix understands how difficult it is to move on and begin to heal after surviving trauma. She has experienced firsthand what it's like to rebuild after leaving an abusive relations...

All relationships change over time, but how often do you renegotiate the rules surrounding them? What happens when a long and happy marriage becomes sexless? Do you have options beyond ending the marriage or compromising your needs? After spending time in therapy with her husband trying to deal with their differing sex drives, Janine came up with a solution. Instead of throwing away her entire mar...

Money is a taboo subject in any situation—but when it comes to relationships, talking about finances can feel downright impossible. With financial stress being one of the top causes of divorce, it's no wonder that most of us would rather avoid the topic altogether. But, according to Couples Financial Coach Adam Kol, skirting the conversation often only makes things worse. With years of experience...

Why do people cheat, and how has the COVID-19 pandemic changed infidelity? Is it even possible to have an affair during a pandemic? And, is honesty always the best policy? Perhaps the answer isn't as straightforward as society likes to presume. During her time working at Ashley Madison, Isabella Mise has learned that where there's a will there's a way. She has gained fascinating insights from conv...

What power do commitments hold over your life? Are they positive, negative, or something to fear? And, once you commit, do you feel like you have to stick with it, regardless of the cost? What if the price you pay is your own happiness? Commitments are highly valued in our society, and they can be a powerful tool to help us achieve our goals. But what if we've committed to an outdated version of o...

Most people don't like conflict. In fact, many of us try to avoid it at all costs. When it comes to relationships, conflict is usually thought of as bad. But, what if conflict was actually a sign of a healthy relationship? CrisMarie Campbell and Susan Clarke don't shy away from conflict—in their relationship or in business. At their coaching and consulting company, Thrive! Inc., they encourage oth...

There is often a lot of shame that comes with talking about sex. Am I sexy? Is my libido too high or too low? What if I can't get my partner to orgasm? What if I can't climax? Is it too kinky to introduce toys—or not kinky enough? Amy Baldwin deals with a lot of shame in her work as a sex educator and coach. But, she doesn't think we should shy away from these intrusive thoughts; in fact, she says...

Here's a tricky question: should you tell your partner if you've cheated on them? While many people believe that there is a simple "yes" or "no" answer, this question may be a bit more complicated than we think. Disclosing your infidelity to your partner isn't a matter-of-fact situation. As Dr. Marie Murphy says, you're not obligated to tell anyone about your affair—whether it was a one-time thing...

There is a whole mess of social pressures around considering divorce: what will your family and friends think? What will a separation do to your kids? How will you be viewed in social and professional spaces after getting divorced? But, what about the financial considerations? What happens if you and your partner are both in agreement that a separation would be best, but you don't think you can af...

So, you've had an affair and your family has found out about it. What now? Before you can even contemplate making a decision, the first thought that runs through your mind is: what about the kids? It can be incredibly difficult to navigate complex situations such as infidelity when you're just dealing with yourself and your partner—but add your children into the mix and it can feel downright impos...

The New Year is fast approaching and everyone's mind has turned to the same thing: resolutions for 2021. But before you start listing down all the things you want to change for the coming year, there are two important questions that you might not have asked yourself in a while that can help you determine what to add to your list: What do you really want? And more importantly, why do you want it? A...

When something big happens in your life, it doesn't just affect you—it also impacts everyone around you. This is especially true when you have children. So, how do you navigate talking to your kids about the more difficult life changes, such as infidelity, separation, or divorce? Instead of descending into a nervous sweat or putting on the cone of silence, parenting coach Abigail Wald says to take...

What's in the cards for the future of your romantic relationships? Undying love? Heartbreak? Freedom—or constraints? If you're curious to know what lies ahead, you may have considered going for a card reading to find out. But, according to medical intuitive Courtney Moore, the Tarot isn't for future-telling—it's for guidance. Courtney sees the Tarot as an information gathering system to help you m...

Have you ever felt responsible for your partner's feelings? When they're reacting to something you've done, it can be hard not to feel like it's your job to make them feel better. But, guess what: someone else's emotions are not under your control—nor should they be. According to Dr. Marie Murphy, taking responsibility for your feelings, and your feelings alone, is an essential step in building a...

We've all seen the movies: someone suspects they're being cheated on, so they call a private investigator to follow their partner in a high-speed chase that ends in a dramatic scene. However, the reality is just a bit different. Art Tilis, a private investigator and the Owner of Foglight Investigations, has received many calls from clients who believe their partner is having an affair. According t...