“Intimacy is not something freely given. It requires your attention, willingness, and intentional effort.” - Gillian Florence Sanger As a psychotherapist, I have witnessed numerous individuals and couples grappling with codependent relationships. Some share that they grew up in a home where parents were engaged in codependent dynamics. As a trauma
The main thing is this — when you get up in the morning you must take your heart in your two hands,” the poet and storyteller turned activist Grace Paley’s father told her in what remains the finest advice on growing older. “You must do this every morning.” A few
M. Nohassi We often encounter a wide range of personalities and emotional behaviours in our daily interactions with others. Some individuals demonstrate high emotional maturity, while others may exhibit of emotional immaturity. Even the more emotionally mature people can occasionally show emotional immaturity when under stress or
Marek Piwnicki In the realm of relationships, boundaries serve as the invisible force that defines our emotional and physical limits, shaping the dynamics we share with others. The first and perhaps more meaningful stage in which we learn how to locate ourselves in a relationship is
The forest bird. “Anything that is human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know
Love needs certainty and reciprocity. It's a process where each is forced to change while resisting the change. Esther Perel The challenges. As a psychotherapist, I have seen firsthand how narcissistic traits can create challenging relationship dynamics. Narcissistic traits can include a lack of empathy, an excessive need for
Photo: Helena Lopes The "feel good hormones." When we touch, or someone we experience as safe touches us – cuddle, hug, or hold hands – our bodies release "feel good" hormones. These hormones include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Once the hormones are released into our bodies, we experience
Photo: Nikklas Ohlrogge My therapist once said -well, maybe not once but a few times :-), "anyone can feel enlightened sitting in meditation alone inside a cave or on a deserted island." Relationships are invitations to exercise introspection, self-awareness, generosity, boundaries, and empathy. They test how we