Albert Caraco and Otto Weininger, two philosophers known for their bleak perspectives on humanity, might not seem like natural guides to understanding modern family dynamics. Yet their musings on chaos, mortality, identity, and responsibility offer surprising insights for families navigating the complexities of today’s fragmented world.

In The White Album, Joan Didion writes, “The question of self-pity was moot. I had decided to live without it.”

It’s the kind of stripped-bare wisdom that feels hauntingly appropriate when we talk about the LA fires.

These aren’t just natural disasters; they’re existential assaults on the myths we tell ourselves about control, safety, and permanence.

They don’t just burn the land—they burn through our illusions, leaving us to sift through the ashes of a scorched reality.

Wildfires are more than natural disasters; they are emotional and psychological earthquakes, shaking our sense of safety, stability, and connection.

In regions like Los Angeles, where wildfires are an ever-present threat, the mental health consequences ripple through families and communities, leaving long-lasting scars.

This post explores the mental health impact of wildfires and incorporates social science research to discuss these challenges.

If there’s one thing that can test the limits of love and patience in a relationship, it’s food.

Not politics, not money, not the thermostat setting—but that rogue fork sneaking onto your plate to snatch a perfectly crispy fry or the last bite of dessert you were saving.

Food-sharing dynamics in relationships are both hilarious and deeply rooted in culture, biology, and psychology.

Let’s dive into why sharing food feels like both an act of love and a battleground, exploring the humor, cultural nuances, and surprising research behind it.

Couples therapy is not just a mirror of individual struggles—it reflects cultural values, social dynamics, and even the spirit of an age.

In the U.S., couples therapy has become a space where people seek not only to repair fractures in their relationships but also to navigate societal pressures, challenge norms, and rediscover intimacy in a world that increasingly pulls them apart.

This post takes a deep dive into the primary concerns of American couples in therapy, using a cultural lens to understand how these issues intertwine with broader social dynamics.

2025 is shaping up to be a year of romantic optimism, whodathunk?

And where better to track the cultural pulse than through memes?

These playful, digital creations often encapsulate societal trends in their purest and most relatable forms.

Let’s dive into the history and evolution of some fresh, heartwarming and recent relationship memes that reflect possible positive shifts in how we are connecting.

While there isn’t a universally “preferred” model of couples therapy for American Roman Catholics, certain approaches resonate more deeply with Catholic values and beliefs.

For Roman Catholics, marriage isn’t merely a social contract—it is a sacred covenant imbued with profound spiritual significance.

Rooted in Scripture and tradition, Catholic marriage is viewed as a lifelong union designed for mutual sanctification, the rearing of children, and as a reflection of Christ’s love for His Church (Ephesians 5:25-33).

When marital challenges arise, Catholic couples often turn to therapeutic approaches that respect and reinforce their values while providing effective tools for relationship repair and growth.

This post will explore a question asked of me by a client.

It prompted me to identify therapy models that align closely with Catholic principles, the unique challenges Catholic couples face, and the spiritual and practical integration of therapy within the framework of Catholic teachings.

The concept of sexual autonomy within committed relationships has captured significant attention in our modern American relationship discourse.

By emphasizing individual freedom to explore sexual identities and desires, this approach challenges traditional monogamy.

While some hail it as a pathway to deeper authenticity and relational satisfaction, others remain skeptical about its practical and emotional implications.

As a couples therapist, I find myself grappling with the social pitfalls of this trend.

Add in considerations like paternity, evolutionary psychology, and emotional security, and the waters get even murkier.

Sexual Autonomy: What Is It?

Evidence-based couples therapy for military personnel, veterans, and first responders addresses a profoundly unique set of challenges.

These relationships often endure intense external pressures, from prolonged separations to the lasting impact of trauma.

Therapists specializing in this niche are trained to navigate the intersection of occupational demands, cultural expectations, and relational needs, creating a pathway to resilience and connection for couples in high-stress careers.

Suzanne Goh, M.D., is a prominent pediatric neurologist and advocate for understanding and supporting folks with autism.

Her work focuses on uncovering the neurobiological underpinnings of autism, emphasizing the need for individualized and compassionate care.

I’m a huge fan of her thinking, especially as applied to traditional family therapy models, such as Strategic and Structural family therapies.

In this post, I’ll offer a brief overview of her contributions and ideas on autism and family therapy.

Every couple has that one story—the story.

The time you went to the family reunion and had two wildly different experiences.

You thought it was a perfectly pleasant affair (sure, Aunt Marge talked too much about her cats), but your partner came home feeling steamrolled by subtle digs from your dad.

And while you’re scratching your head, wondering if you both attended the same event, they’re retreating into silence.

Or worse, picking a fight about how you didn’t “have their back.”

This isn’t just a misunderstanding—it might be something much bigger, sneakier, and ultimately more dangerous: relationship parallax.

If you’ve ever felt a twinge in your side, Googled your symptoms, and spiraled into a rabbit hole of rare diseases, congratulations—you’ve had a brush with cyberchondria.

This modern phenomenon combines the age-old anxieties of hypochondria with the limitless (and occasionally terrifying) power of the internet.

But where does this behavior come from? And how has our understanding of health anxiety evolved, both culturally and clinically?

Let’s explore the history, psychology, and quirks of cyberchondria, from its connection to hypochondria to its place in today’s mental health landscape, all while keeping it warm, witty, and slightly self-deprecating. (After all, we’ve all been there.)