HOUSTON THERAPY

Are you opposed to engaging in conflict in your interpersonal relationships? Do you buy into the narrative that “healthy relationships”...

When I was in my master’s program studying marriage and family therapy, I had a wonderful supervisor who taught me the #1 tip that I share with almost every couple I counsel. He had a way of making concepts understandable in common language that I loved, and he dubbed this tip the “poor baby technique”. I think it alone can improve almost any relationship (family, friendship, work, romantic). a The “poor baby technique” touches on the tendency for us to enter “problem solvin

Reciprocity: mutual dependence, action, or influence; a mutual exchange of privilege. Reciprocity in relationships is an idea that comes...

Opposite to emotion action is an Emotion Regulation skill from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Emotion Regulation is a module that stresses

‘Tis the season to feel… guilty? Although the holidays are often associated with joy, many of us feel complex feelings around the holiday...

One of the most frequent DBT skills I find myself teaching in individual therapy is DEAR MAN. This skill comes from the Interpersonal Effectiveness module of DBT, which focuses on how to build and improve relationships. There are 4 different skills within Interpersonal Effectiveness, and DEAR MAN is only one of them (although the most popular and well-known)! DEAR MAN focuses on objective effectiveness, which means how to ask for something that you want or need from another i

One of the most difficult events that can happen in a relationship is infidelity. Relational safety is leveled to a 0 after an affair, and many begin to doubt their partner’s love and commitment to them entirely. There are many who say “I would never stand for that, I’d definitely leave!” when thinking about an affair in theory, but most of those same people find that it’s a much more complicated decision in practice. That is because we love our partners even when we feel bet

As a therapist, my main goal for my clients is that they feel relief in their lives and are better able to cope and understand themselves, their behaviors, and others, living more in line with their values and goals. For some people, therapy is a long-term commitment lasting upwards of years at different intervals (weekly, bi weekly, monthly check in’s, etc.). For others, it is briefer, lasting an average of 8 sessions. There is no right or wrong amount of time someone should

Cognitive distortions are inaccurate thoughts that influence the ways we see ourselves, others, and the world around us, and ultimately...

Easy guide to the 5 basic emotions.

You’ve probably already heard the suggestion of keeping a gratitude journal to improve your mental health. Science backs the idea- we are ha

DBT offers a skill called Radical Acceptance that can be thought of as an alternative to forgiveness in these instances when applying forgiveness just doesn’t seem possible or right. After all, we have all heard the adage that “holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of harming another; you end up getting burned”.

In the spirit of the holidays and gift-giving, I’d like to explain why the gift of a generous interpretation is a wonderful gift to give to yourself and others all year round! Imagine this: Your partner announces to you that they have made dinner plans with friends this upcoming Saturday. You are crushed because that is your anniversary and it appears your partner is unaware that their plans mean you will not be spending quality time together. It makes sense that you are di

Have you ever been told you need to be easier on yourself? Or that you hold yourself to impossible standards? Many of us do!

The holidays are quickly approaching and if the idea of spending extended time with loved ones ever gives you anxiety, you are not alone.

Hesitation over starting family therapy is COMMON and normal. It is scary, but also very brave, to seek to change a family dynamic