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Relationship

Expert relationship counseling resources in San Diego. Discover proven strategies for healthy partnerships, communication skills, and lasting connection.

Cuddle Positions

Cuddle Positions – Benefits and Meaning

As Seen In, Couples Counseling, Issues for Women, News, Relationship, Sexual Health, Thoughts /

Who doesn’t love to cuddle?

If you are one of the people lucky enough to have someone to cuddle right now, you know how meaningful it can be to experience comfort through human touch. Elizabeth Kirkhorn interviewed me recently for an article in O.school in which we discussed the benefits of cuddling, as well as different cuddling positions.

Specifically, the article discussed six different cuddling positions, what they are, and what they mean.

For example, most of us have heard of “spooning”. But have you heard about “being small”, “the stronghold”, or “the honeymoon hug”? Did you know that each cuddle position means something different? Did you know that although cuddling is intimate, your preferred position in the cuddle says something about your needs or preferences in the relationship?

Cuddle Positions – Benefits and Meaning Read More »

self quarantine

Quarantined from your Partner?

Anxiety, Couples Counseling, Family Therapy, Relationship, Thoughts /

People in essential services have continued working throughout the quarantine, and those who have had the option to work from home have been able to remain on the job as well. Many others have only recently begun returning to work.

Every day we hear reports about new cases of Covid-19, increased rates of positive tests, and speculation about another shut-down. For those venturing out into the world and workplace, they are increasing their exposure to other people and the risk of being infected themselves.

Concerns about exposure is leading many to quarantine themselves from their partners and/or families in order to protect them. As an example, I have a relative who routinely flies for work, stays in hotels, and eats take-out (when sit-down dining is not available). When he returns home, he quarantines himself from his wife for two weeks to ensure he does not have any symptoms.

Quarantining yourself this way may be prudent and responsible, but it can also cause anxiety, stress, and feelings of disconnection from your partner.

Here are some ideas to help you stay connected and reduce anxiety and stress during your time of quarantine:

Quarantined from your Partner? Read More »

emotional neglect article

Emotional Neglect in Marriage

As Seen In, Couples Counseling, News, Relationship, Thoughts /

Clients sometimes seek out marriage counseling because one or both partners feel unappreciated, ignored, or disconnected. Sometimes they can feel lonely even when their partner is in the same room. Often these emotions can signal when emotional neglect is happening in a relationship.

Sometimes the emotional disconnection in a relationship can get to the point where one partner speaks to and thinks about their partner with contempt. Contempt may not be as obvious as you think, it can take the form of small continuous digs and comments made about a partner’s intelligence or value, an inability to ever catch the partner doing something right, or comments to those outside of the relationship where a partner is demeaned or whose value is minimized.

Emotional Neglect in Marriage Read More »

Dana Feelings

Seeing Light: Authority Magazine Feature

Anxiety, As Seen In, Couples Counseling, Parenting, Relationship, Self-Esteem, Sexual Abuse / Trauma, Thoughts /

I was recently interviewed by Dr. Ely Weinschneider, Psy.D of Authority Magazine for an article titled “Seeing Light at the End of the Tunnel: 5 Reasons To Be Hopeful During this Corona Crisis.” As we are beginning to see the world slowly start opening up (although limited), this article is timely. I’d like to pull some highlights out which could help improve mental health and feelings.

Seeing Light: Authority Magazine Feature Read More »

illness

Things to Never Tell Someone With An Illness

News, Relationship, Thoughts /

I recently had the pleasure of contributing to an article by Leah Groth for Eat This Not That concerning attitudes towards people who may be suffering from illness. A huge thanks Leah and Eat This Not That! For my readers, here are some of the things we at The Relationship Place believe you should never say to someone suffering from COVID-19: #1: “It will be fine. Just don’t think about it and pretend like it’s not happening.”

Things to Never Tell Someone With An Illness Read More »

Social Distancing

Disagreeing About Social Distancing?

Anxiety, As Seen In, Couples Counseling, General, Parenting, Relationship /

I recommend my clients approach each other with an attitude of being more curious than furious about your partner’s differing position. Your partner is not opposing you just to be difficult or obstinate about social distancing. When you can approach your partner with an open attitude of wanting to really understand what is driving their thought process you start off the conversations from a gentler approach, which promotes compassion and compromise.

Disagreeing About Social Distancing? Read More »

pistanthrophobia

The Fear of Trusting: Pistanthrophobia

Anxiety, General, Relationship, Self-Esteem, Sexual Abuse / Trauma, Thoughts /

Pistanthrophobia is the fear of trusting others and is often the result of experiencing a serious disappointment or painful ending to a prior relationship. As a result of the trauma, the person with this phobia possesses a fear of getting hurt again and avoids being in another relationship as a way to guard against future similar painful experiences. When this happens, you’re unable to have a future relationship that may help you gain perspective or understanding as to why the prior relationship may not have been a good fit to begin with.

The Fear of Trusting: Pistanthrophobia Read More »

relationship stress

Dealing with Relationship Stress and COVID 19

Anxiety, As Seen In, Couples Counseling, Depression, Family Therapy, General, News, Parenting, Relationship, Thoughts, Uncategorized /

Quarantine doesn’t come with a rulebook. You’ve never had this type of relationship stress before, so it makes sense you will need new tools.
Uncertainty, fear, worry, lack of personal space, routine, and not knowing when this could all come to an end are going to cause conflict.

Dealing with Relationship Stress and COVID 19 Read More »

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