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.
- Attachment Issues
- Coronavirus
- Couples Therapy
- Extramarital Affairs
- Family Life and Parenting
- How to Fight Fair
- Inlaws and Extended Families
- Intercultural Relationships
- Marriage and Mental Health
- Married Life & Intimate Relationships
- Neurodiverse Couples
- Separation & Divorce
- Signs of Trouble
- Social Media and Relationships
- What Happy Couples Know
The Intersection of Neurodiversity and Employment: Fostering Inclusive Workplaces
Imagine walking into a job interview, and instead of dreading the dreaded "Tell me about yourself" question, you’re met with: “What’s the best environment for your brain to thrive?”
Sounds like a dream, right?
For many neurodivergent folks, this is far from reality. Instead, they often encounter rigid hiring processes, sensory-overloaded workspaces, and a whole lot of well-meaning but clueless supervisors.
Neurodiversity—the idea that neurological differences like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others are natural variations of the human brain—has been gaining traction in workplace discussions (Silberman, 2015).
But despite some progress, many neurodivergent employees still face barriers to employment and advancement.
This post explores those challenges, highlights the benefits of neurodiverse workplaces, and offers practical strategies for fostering a truly inclusive work environment.
Neurodiversity in Education: Creating Supportive Learning Environments
Imagine being a child who processes the world differently—maybe the hum of fluorescent lights feels like a jet engine, or reading a textbook feels like deciphering hieroglyphs.
Now imagine a school that expects you to thrive in an environment built for only one kind of brain. Frustrating, right?
For decades, traditional education has operated under the assumption that all children learn the same way.
Neurodivergent students—including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences—often struggle in classrooms designed for neurotypical learners (Armstrong, 2010).
But here’s the good news: schools are finally waking up to the need for inclusive, supportive learning environments.
This post explores the challenges neurodivergent students face, highlights innovative teaching strategies, and provides actionable steps to create classrooms where all minds can thrive.
Collaborative Decision-Making for Neurodiverse Couples: Finding Common Ground with Compassion
Navigating relationships is never a one-size-fits-all journey, but for neurodiverse couples, decision-making can feel like a high-stakes puzzle.
Differences in communication styles, sensory needs, and executive functioning can sometimes turn simple choices into stress-inducing dilemmas.
But here’s the good news: with the right approach, collaborative decision-making can become a strength rather than a struggle.
Mona Kay, a leading voice in neurodiverse relationships, emphasizes the importance of structuring decision-making processes that honor both partners’ needs.
Her philosophy isn’t about forcing conformity but about creating an inclusive space where each person’s strengths shine.
The Silent Struggle: How Neurodivergent Men Experience Mental Stress After Car Accidents and Sling Injuries
When a car accident or sling accident occurs, the focus is often on the immediate physical injuries—broken bones, whiplash, concussions.
But for neurodivergent men, the aftermath can involve an entirely different and often overlooked kind of suffering: the predictable, yet misunderstood, mental stress that follows trauma.
Neurodivergent folks—those with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, or other neurological differences—tend to experience stress responses in ways that differ from neuro-normative folks.
When their bodies endure a sudden physical injury, their minds often enter a heightened state of distress, struggling with sensory overload, emotional dysregulation, and disruptions to their established routines.
Exploring "NPC Mode" for Neurodivergents
In gaming culture, Non-Playable Characters (NPCs) are those ever-reliable figures endlessly repeating programmed dialogue, regardless of how chaotic the game world becomes.
This concept has been humorously adopted by neurodivergent communities to describe “NPC Mode,” the state of masking or relying on social scripts when overwhelmed.
It’s a meme that blends self-awareness, humor, and validation for the shared experience of navigating a neurotypical world.
This article delves deep into the origins, meaning, and implications of “NPC Mode,” supported by research and insights into neurodivergent masking.
Conflict Styles and Repair Mechanisms in Neurodiverse Couples: Navigating Emotional Dysregulation and Processing Speeds with Empathy and Patience
Conflict in any relationship can feel overwhelming, but for neurodiverse couples, it’s often magnified by unique challenges like emotional dysregulation, sensory sensitivities, and differing processing speeds.
Yet, with awareness, patience, and a few tailored strategies, conflicts can transform into opportunities for deeper understanding and growth. Let’s explore these dynamics in depth, with real-world examples to illustrate how they play out and how they can be resolved.
Neurodiversity as Cultural Capital: A New Lens for Inclusivity and Innovation
In recent years, the concept of neurodiversity has moved from niche advocacy circles to mainstream discussions about inclusivity, equity, and innovation.
Originally coined by sociologist Judy Singer in the late 1990s, neurodiversity highlights the natural variation in human cognition and its value to society.
Yet, it is time to elevate this understanding further—to reframe neurodiversity as cultural capital, an essential component of human diversity that enriches every facet of modern life, from art and technology to education and problem-solving.
What does it mean to see Neurodiversity as Cultural Capital?
ADHD and Life Expectancy: Why This Overlooked Condition is Taking Years Off Lives
A landmark study from University College London (UCL) has uncovered a stark and unsettling reality: adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have a significantly reduced life expectancy compared to their peers.
Published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, this research is the first of its kind to estimate life expectancy in UK adults with ADHD.
The findings demand a closer look at the systemic failures in diagnosing, treating, and supporting folks with this condition.
Gut Instincts: How the Microbiome Influences Impulsivity in Female Inmates
Gut Instincts: How the Microbiome Influences Impulsivity in Female Inmates
Can gut bacteria determine whether someone acts impulsively?
Recent research suggests the microbes in our intestines might play a surprising role in shaping behavior, including impulsivity.
A new study published in Neuropsychobiology dives deep into the microbiota-gut-brain axis, comparing impulsively violent female inmates with their non-impulsive counterparts.
The findings? A microbial twist that could change how we understand—and possibly address—behavioral issues behind bars.
Cracking the Code of Learning: How Autistic Adults Process the World Differently
Ever feel like your brain is juggling flaming pins during a task that’s second nature to someone else?
Well, new neuroscience research suggests that for adults with autism, this might actually describe their unique approach to learning and generalizing information.
The study, published in Autism Research, uncovers fascinating insights into how autistic adults process visual categories—and it’s not just different for the sake of being different. These distinctions could influence how we think about therapy, education, and beyond.
Escaping Reality: Understanding Maladaptive Daydreaming in Neurodivergent Adults
Our world is teeming with challenges, but daydreaming offers a fleeting escape—a moment of solace where the mind can wander freely.
However, for some, these dreams become a consuming habit that disrupts daily life.
Maladaptive daydreaming, a behavior characterized by excessive, immersive fantasies, is not just a curious phenomenon—it’s a coping mechanism, particularly for neurodivergent folks facing emotional and social struggles.
A recent study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders sheds light on the complex factors contributing to maladaptive daydreaming in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and dual diagnoses (AuDHD). The findings reveal that emotional dysregulation, internalized stigma, escapism, and self-esteem are key predictors of this behavior, offering valuable insights into its roots and potential solutions.
What Is Maladaptive Daydreaming?
Emotional Regulation in Preschool: The Early Predictor of ADHD and Conduct Problems
Picture this: a preschooler dissolves into tears because they didn’t get the red cup they wanted. At first glance, it’s a typical kid moment, right?
But what if those meltdowns keep happening, growing into bigger challenges over time? Emotional regulation—the ability to manage big feelings—plays a huge role in helping kids thrive.
When this skill doesn’t develop as expected, it can lead to struggles with ADHD, behavior issues, and even anxiety or depression.
A recent study in Development and Psychopathology shines a light on how early emotional regulation impacts kids’ mental health by age seven. Let’s unpack these findings with a mix of warmth, research, and practical insights.
What Is Emotional Regulation, and Why Does It Matter?