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Dr. Dana McNeil

Dana is a gifted, compassionate, and practical therapist and the founder of The Relationship Place. Dana has achieved the highest level of training possible in the Gottman Method of couples therapy. She has special interests in working with all clients, including those who live out-of-the-ordinary lives or have alternative relationships.

signs you're destroying your marriage

13 Signs You Are Destroying Your Marriage (Without Realizing It)

Couples Counseling /

Despite the happily ever after trope popularized in media, a happy, healthy marriage isn’t one devoid of conflict. Instead, partners continue to bond by solving problems together while respecting each other as individuals. Doing this involves communication, empathy, trust, openness, and a willingness to be proactive. When we discuss the reasons behind failed marriages, it can be tempting to look at big one-time events. These can certainly be dealbreakers, but some issues are more subtle. […]

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valentines date ideas for every relationship type

Easy Valentine’s Day Date Ideas For Every Relationship Type

Relationship /

Valentine’s day is just around the corner. It’s hard not to notice when everything around you seem to make you feel you should have something planned by now. But whether you’re planning on bringing her to the fanciest dinner date or getting him the coolest gift, it’s always about taking this opportunity to create more shared meaning as a couple. Aside from thinking about the best gift to get your partner, coming up with the

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how to survive a breakup

How To Survive A Breakup

Relationship /

What are some emotions/states of being people commonly experience after a breakup? When a couple breaks up, it can stir up all kinds of emotions from anxiety and stress to feelings of total abandonment or the stages of grief that feel on par with the death of a loved one.  Would you say there are different stages of a breakup, similar to how there are different stages of grief? Or are they one and the

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does a narcissist know he's a narcissist

Does A Narcissist Know He’s A Narcissist?

Self-Esteem /

If you find yourself in a relationship with someone who you identify as possessing the traits of a narcissistic personality disorder, then you probably have lots of questions about how your partner ended up this way! You also probably wonder how they can seem so inconsiderate, self-centered, and insensitive to your needs and feelings. You may have tried to convince yourself that your person must have experienced a traumatic event in life that left them

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how to heal from invalidated childhood trauma

10 Signs You’ve Had An Invalidated Childhood And How You Can Heal From It As An Adult

Abuse/Neglect /

Your childhood and other experiences growing up have shaped your personality and your way of dealing with things around you. People who you grew up with, whether they’re your parents, guardians, or siblings, played a crucial role in developing the foundations of your personality. Experiencing invalidated childhood trauma may be the cause of situations the people surrounding you as a child, especially those you trust most, have put you in. These past traumas are strong

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stonewalling in marriage

4 Constructive Ways To Respond And React To Your Stonewalling Partner

Relationship /

Conflict is unavoidable, whether it’s between you and your kids, co-workers, or your significant other. The higher the stakes in the relationship, the more it is likely to hurt. People respond in different ways. Stonewalling in marriage is often a knee-jerk response that individuals use to protect themselves when the emotional tide becomes too overwhelming. It’s not unlike a fight or flight response. It is an emotional escape. What Is Stonewalling and How Does It

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applying the gottman sound relationship house theory in marriage

7 Ways You Can Practice The Sound Relationship House Theory In Your Marriage

Couples Counseling, Relationship /

The Sound Relationship House is a foundational theory introduced and developed by Dr. John Gottman. It says that a foundationally strong relationship is like a house. It contains weight-bearing pillars and floors that help couples establish a strong link. This structure, called the Sound Relationship House, has provided numerous couples with the foundations they need to have happy, healthy relationships that last. Gottman Sound Relationship House assists couples in managing their marriages and developing problem-solving

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explaining polyamory to partner

Explaining Polyamory To Your Partner: 9 Useful Tips

Relationship /

When people in a relationship are used to being monogamous, getting into a polyamorous relationship is a difficult concept to grasp. There is some stigma and misunderstanding when it comes to polyamory. Many people don’t even know what being polyamorous entails, while others may be intimidated by the idea of entering an open relationship. This is why explaining polyamory to your partner can be extremely challenging. As such, it’s important for couples to understand what

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