Speaking the truth about domestic violence is a step toward healing for all survivors. But when talking about violence brings shame, ambivalence, and fear, art therapy gives survivors not only a voice, but also is a way to raise consciousness about the profound effects of battering and all forms of abuse between partners

Emotional reality, unlike physical reality, is created rather than observed. By and large, people create the emotional reality in which they live. Unfortunately the choice of which reality we create is usually made by default, a kind of habitual automatic pilot derived from temperament, metabolism, and experience

Talk about great timing. On September 18, during the Children & Nature Network’s 2008 National Grassroots Gathering in Nebraska, mobile phones in the room lit up with good news: The U.S

The short answer to what might appear a trick question is–well–it depends. On this topic, ironies and paradoxes abound

When the subject of our book comes up at parties, as it tends to do (who doesn’t love to be scandalized after a few drinks?), the conversation tends to follow a familiar pattern. We explain that our book argues that sexual monogamy is far from the natural state of our species, maybe giving a few safely remote examples from the Amazon or Asia. Most people are willing to be convinced — sometimes extremely willing, in fact — but eventually someone will say something like, “Well, that makes sense, but what about jealousy

The kid-ceiling seems to have little or no effect on Sarah Palin, but for most women who work having a family alters their income, their ability to advance, and their well-being. All is not right in the world of women’s work and the glaring deficiencies force more women to move in the direction of the smaller, new traditional family. In this post I look at some of the more telling issues and facts.

"The love game is never called off on account of darkness." Tom Masson The comparison underlying emotional significance encompasses the mental construction of an alternative situation. The more available the alternative, namely, the closer the imagined alternative is to reality, the more intense the emotion. Therefore, the fate of someone who dies in an airplane crash after switching flights evokes a stronger reaction than that of a fellow traveler who was booked on the flight all along

    Dementia changes people and changes relationships, sometimes for the better. In the latest edition of Newsweek (September 22, 2008) , author Sara Davidson shares her story about her relationship with her mother who became less demanding and more accepting of life as her cognitive impairment progressed, much to the surprise of the family. This is not the first time we’ve heard the story of a relationship improving with progressive cognitive impairment.

In my last column I made a distinction between ingesting and digesting critical feedback. Ingesting is taking it in.

It is common etiquette these days that if one has critical feedback to offer, one should ask first whether the feedback is welcome. On the receiving end, it’s not as clear by what standards one should decide whether to welcome critical feedback. Without a clear standard, the tendency is pretty strong to claim to welcome it, so as not to appear unreceptive.

Children have become big ticket items (eventually wanting big ticket items). We all agree that you can’t put a price tag on children, yet the expense of raising them gives many couples reason to reconsider if, when, and how many

Last month I posted an entry regarding children and gender stereotypes from the perspective of the father of two young daughters. Several people emailed to share their own stories and observations. Some asked me whether I thought such concerns about gender stereotypes also applied to males.

You may have offended your friend; you’re not sure.

"I want a man who’s kind and understanding. Is that too much to ask of a millionaire?" (Zsa Zsa Gabor) The complex experience of romantic love involves two basic evaluative patterns referring to (a) attractiveness-that is, an attraction to external appearance, and (b) praiseworthiness-that is, positively appraising personal characteristics

If a problem arises between you and me, whose problem is it? Is it you, me or us