Bond through life passages'
Postpartum depression is physiological and treatable
Suffering from any form of depression is difficult enough, having a postpartum depression, though common and hormonally based, is profoundly upsetting to young mothers, babies and husbands. Understanding the nature of this depression may alleviate additional [...]
Managing the seasons of your marriage – Part II
The periods of emotional fluctuation within marriages can be likened to the seasonal changes of nature. They are both normal, cyclical and serve the purpose of balancing nature. Each season has its own function in facilitating [...]
Managing the seasons of your marriage – Part I
Like in nature, marriages and committed relationships cycle through four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Though our weather preferences are clear, we all adapt to and benefit from seasonal climate fluctuations as we do from [...]
Life crises can strengthen your bond with each other
It is commonly assumed that relationship crises weaken the fiber of love between committed partners. It is true for some issues but not others. Verbal/physical abuse, chronic infidelity and untreated addictions often do destroy relationships. Yet, [...]
Empty nesters, rededicate yourselves to each other
From birth until parenting, people are self-oriented. Once they have a family their children’s wellbeing becomes their primary focus. As fulfilling and pleasurable as child rearing may be, it distracts parents from their own individual and [...]
Dealing with women’s nurturing burnout
Women, by the gift of childbearing capacity, have been destined to become society’s primary nurturers. The lifelong practice of putting other people’s needs ahead of their own is exhausting, depleting and often leading to a nurturing [...]
During Stressful times stay positive while balancing emotions and logic
During Stressful times, stay positive while balancing emotions, logic “Tis the season to be jolly”, but for many people this challenging period is anything but cheerful. When the economy is down, jobs are lost, housing issues [...]
When times get tough, find your strength in your mate
The current economic conditions have given rise to a marked increase in anxiety for Americans. High gas prices, the collapsed mortgage industry, housing worries, the erratic downturn fluctuations on wall street, tight credit, banking woes, and [...]
How to get your partner to help you shoulder the load
A common source of discontent in relationships is the perceived imbalance of shared responsibilities. When one, or both mates feel disgruntled about doing more than their fair share, the relationship is seriously impacted. Creating a mutually [...]
Managing emotions in families during cancer treatments
This column is based on a talk I gave to cancer patients and their families at the Katz Resource Center at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz California, and includes attendees’ comments and wisdom. When you or [...]
How to improve your couple connection during stressful times
Shared joyous life events provide an opportunity for couples to deepen their connection. How they deal with difficult life challenges is often a greater gauge of their bond to each other. Emotional intimacy often blossoms when [...]
Enhancing couples’ connection throughout each others’ lives
Committed couples who stay together for a lifetime experience many transitions. The nature and depth of their connection changes with life’s phases and can be enhanced by combining all the emotional and behavioral elements toward greater [...]
Sharing is a good relationship practice
From early childhood we are told that we must learn to share our toys and belongings with others. We are also coached to associate sharing with being a good person and friend. Interestingly enough, as firmly [...]
Career and/or motherhood? The woman’s dilemma
Today, young women who are planning their lives wonder whether their personal goals may compliment or conflict with their future roles as wives and mothers. The past forty years have provided many conflicting ideas and research [...]
When your partner is hospitalized
Part of my professional experience includes many years of working with medically hospitalized patients and their families. It was only after I recently assisted my husband through surgery, setbacks and recovery, that I felt the emotions [...]
Menopause – the misunderstood life-stage
Menopause is a maligned, normal developmental stage in a woman’s life. It is misunderstood by both women and men and thus seen with dread and helplessness. The medical description of menopause is: “The transition period in [...]
Partner also faces huge challenges when spouse is ill
“For better and for worse” means just that. In every marriage there are happy times and sad times, joyous moments and painful ones. When a partner is diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness, both mates [...]
Tips for dealing with depression
How to deal with depression in a relationship Our culture promotes youth, energy, competence and productiveness. We admire those who are self-confident, positive, enthusiastic and hopeful. Depression inhibits all these attributes. The term depression is often [...]
Young couples face unexpected retirement woes
102- Young couples face unexpected retirement woes Can you imagine being able to retire at age 39, 40 or 45? Does having a lifetime ahead of you without financial concerns sound like a dream come true? [...]
When your partner is laid off, depression can set in for both
When your partner is laid off, depression can set in for both With the recent downturn of the economy, many highly qualified employees lost their jobs. The stress produced for these individuals and their families has [...]
