Welcome to my Blog

Thank you for stopping by. This space is where I share research, reflections, and practical tools drawn from my experience as a marriage and family therapist.

Are you a couple looking for clarity? A professional curious about the science of relationships? Or simply someone interested in how love and resilience work? I’m glad you’ve found your way here. I can help with that.

Each post is written with one goal in mind: to help you better understand yourself, your partner, and the hidden dynamics that shape human connection.

Grab a coffee (or a notebook), explore what speaks to you, and take what’s useful back into your life and relationships. And if a post sparks a question, or makes you realize you could use more support, I’d love to hear from you.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
~Daniel

P.S.

Feel free to explore the categories below to find past blog posts on the topics that matter most to you. If you’re curious about attachment, navigating conflict, or strengthening intimacy, these archives are a great way to dive deeper into the research and insights that I’ve been sharing for years.

 

Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

Why self-compassion is essential for emotional resilience…

New research underscores the profound impact of self-compassion on emotional healing and well-being.

According to Professor Mark R. Leary, the lead author of a study on this subject, self-compassion helps humans cope with life's challenges without becoming defensive.

He stated, “Self-compassion helps to eliminate a lot of the anger, depression and pain we experience when things go badly for us.”

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Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

Sleepless in Recovery: The Surprising Post-COVID-19 Insomnia Trend…

The aftermath of COVID-19 is proving to be a real snooze fest for many, but not in the way you might think.

While we're all eager to put the pandemic behind us, some are having trouble catching those much-needed Zs.

According to a recent study, over 76% of folks recovering from mild COVID-19 are experiencing a noticeable degree of insomnia…

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Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

Moral Injury: Understanding, Healing, and Moving Forward with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy…

In recent years, the concept of moral injury has gained increasing attention in the field of marriage and family therapy.

Coined originally in the context of combat veterans, moral injury refers to the psychological, social, and spiritual harm that arises from actions, or the lack thereof, that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations.

It can occur in various contexts beyond the military, such as in healthcare, law enforcement, and even within personal relationships...

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Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

Isolated men and their health: why loneliness hurts more…

Men facing breakup, separation, or prolonged solitude are not just dealing with emotional turmoil—they're also at risk for serious physical health issues.

A recent Danish study tracking nearly 5,000 middle-aged folks over two decades revealed that men who live alone for extended periods exhibit higher levels of inflammatory markers in their blood, indicators linked to deteriorating physical health… but why?

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Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

Depression and Vitamin D Deficiency…

Symptoms of depression, such as moodiness, lack of motivation, and tiredness, can be exacerbated by physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, dizziness, and muscle pain.

A study of almost 4,000 older adults in Ireland followed them for four years, tracking depression symptoms and vitamin D levels.

The findings revealed that those with a vitamin D deficiency were a whopping 75% more likely to experience depression symptoms.

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Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

How Depression shapes our self-concept…

Depression can profoundly influence how humans perceive themselves, leading to a negative self-concept.

This distorted self-view often includes feelings of worthlessness, incapability, and a sense of being stuck without a way forward.

Research suggests that this negative self-schema develops as depressed folks selectively remember and focus on negative events in their lives.

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