Do you practice Mindfulness? If not, seriously you must. It is an ancient practice and now research indicates that the practice builds a healthier, stronger, more compassionate brain and thus human. It is simple and complex.

The way we think about sexual desire often stems from what we believe desire should feel and look like. Many individuals and couples come into my office carrying shame or self-blame when their internal experiences do not match their expectations of themselves or their relationship.

Young children can have big emotions. As parents, it might be difficult to conceptualize how to help them in the moment. However, there are ways to help promote emotional regulation in your child, even at a young age.

Over the past few years, wellness has become increasingly prominent in our cultural conversation. I often have clients ask questions like "what does 'self-care' even mean?" Others feel they could practice self-care if only they could afford that pricey gym membership, monthly massages or facials, or expensive products.

“Never go to bed angry”—it’s a tip as old as time that is shared with the best intentions. But, from a couple’s therapy and nervous system perspective, is it really the best advice? Like all things in the complicated world of relationships, the answer is probably nuanced and exists as part of a larger conversation.

Many couples come to therapy feeling stuck in the same arguments about chores, schedules, or “who does more.” Beneath these surface-level disagreements is often something harder to identify, but deeply impactful: an imbalance in mental load.

How did you sleep last night? Did you get the sleep that you needed? 
If the answer is not very good, or no, know that you are not alone! In a world that can be fast-paced and hyperproductive, we often forget that sleep is a basic need. Approximately one third of adults in the United States receive insufficient sleep, which equates to less than 7 hrs/night.

Renowned therapist Pia Mellody has written extensively on the core practices that are essential for being a healthy, functioning adult. It can be helpful to look at the five core practices when reflecting on our goals for therapy. 

One partner wants to talk—now. The other feels overwhelmed, flooded, or unable to find words.
What often follows is a couple’s typical cycle: one partner pursues connection while the other retreats. This is known as the pursue-withdraw cycle, and it often ends with both partners feeling misunderstood, frustrated, and lonely.

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself what you value in life?  Values are what we deem as personally significant. I like to think about values as toppings on a pizza, for example. Some of us may value pepperoni and cheese, while others may value mushrooms and peppers. The combination of our values is key. Let’s dive a bit deeper…

Alicia Steinmetz, MA, NCC brings a grounded, relational presence to her work as a therapist at A Better Life. Learn more about Alicia in and out of the office through this interview with Elizabeth Earnshaw.

Julia Cash, MFT is a therapist in our Main Line office in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. She works with adult individuals, couples, families, and adolescents, and specializes in sexual and relational trauma. Through this work she helps people process and navigate wounds from childhood related to family and attachment, their sexual relationships, identity development, anxiety, and grief and loss. Read more about Julia in her interview with Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT

A common theme that clients express is a feeling of inadequacy when sticking to a routine or having discipline. The word discipline can be heavy- from what I have learned in my experience with client’s, discipline can be culturally defined as strict, unforgiving, and punishing.