Marriage & Relationships

Married After Children – Surviving The Empty Nest
Married for 32 years, and now empty nesters, Mike and Anna found themselves struggling to connect with each other in their marriage. Until recently, when the last of their children had left the house, Mike and Anna’s lives were filled...

Betrayal
David betrayed his life partner and he was not prepared for his partner's emotional distress. He wanted to know when it would end. He asked "Why isn't sorry good enough?" David needed to understand that his partner's reactions were normal....

Up In Flames – part 2
About three and a half years ago I wrote the article: 'Up In Flames' that can be found at Psychealth.com. It was written shortly after my apartment burned down and shares my experience navigating through that challenging life event. This...

My Child Won’t Listen
Parents often complain that their children "do not listen" and that is frequently a concern parents describe when they visit a child psychologist. When I met the parents of six year old Charlotte, they described daily power struggles over routine...

Smartphone Addiction
The headline in the Globe and Mail read, "Your smartphone is making you stupid, antisocial and unhealthy. So why can't you put it down?" by Eric Andrew-Gee. As I began to read the article I became alarmed by the research...

Empathy and Mirror Neurons
Empathy differs from sympathy. Sympathy reflects an understanding of another person' situation- but viewed through your own eyes. In contrast, empathy is what you feel when you can step outside of yourself and enter the internal world of another person....

How Are Strong Marriages Like Healthy Gardens?
This is a question that I often put to couples who attend the premarital workshops I present. I like the question because it requires what are called "higher order thinking skills" - a more effective way of engaging new information...

Marriage Can Be Miserable
When a couple marries, they can be truly miserable if they follow a few simple rules! When life is busy and stress levels are high, it is important to “do one’s own thing.” Take time to unwind and relax; this...

Caught in the Middle: Supporting the Child Through Parental Divorce
Last week I learned that a young couple I know had recently separated. I remembered their wedding and the promising future they imagined together. I don't know the circumstances of their separation but I do hope that they have tried...