A woman I knew once told me that she couldn’t imagine being single. Her name was Mary Ellen. She was married to a great guy named Stephen who loved her and treated her well. They both had successful careers and had just bought a house together. … [Read more...] about There are worse things than being single
Relationships with sociopaths
I will sometimes meet a new client that is struggling to come to terms with the actions of a sociopath. The sociopath may be a member of their family -- a husband or a father, for example. While the sociopaths in the following stories happen to be male, please be aware they can also be female. The … [Read more...] about Relationships with sociopaths
Gifted adults have trouble finding friends and relationships
You need to broaden your search. Gifted adults have trouble finding friends and romantic partners who have similar depth, complexity, sensitivity, and interests because these individuals are harder to find. … [Read more...] about Gifted adults have trouble finding friends and relationships
Clarify your intentions: Say what you mean
It is not uncommon to hear from one of my clients that their relationship with their spouse or child or parent is in trouble. They may say they do not feel as close as they once did. They may say they no longer talk very much, and that they don’t know how to get the closeness back. In my … [Read more...] about Clarify your intentions: Say what you mean
Talk to your aging parents about necessary changes
Talking to your aging parent about the physical and mental losses they are experiencing as they age can be difficult, especially when major decisions and life changes need to be made. … [Read more...] about Talk to your aging parents about necessary changes
Switching roles: When elderly parents become dependent
Talking to your aging parents about the physical and mental losses they are experiencing is not easy. This is often because your parents are used to being "the parent" in the relationship, and you are used to being the child. … [Read more...] about Switching roles: When elderly parents become dependent
Ending a toxic relationship with a parent
Are you estranged from a parent? Have you chosen to cut-off contact because of on-going abuse? It is neither unthinkable nor unacceptable for someone to choose to end a relationship because their parent is abusive. … [Read more...] about Ending a toxic relationship with a parent
Toxic family relationships: When to quit
Toxic relationships with family members are unhealthy, and can be so emotionally damaging that the person being harmed may need to end the relationship. … [Read more...] about Toxic family relationships: When to quit
Prepare for an assessment of dementia
I sometimes work with people that have a family member with dementia. This is a stressful period for most people, both from an emotional perspective, and because it is difficult to learn where to find appropriate resources. Obtaining a formal diagnosis of dementia for your family member is an … [Read more...] about Prepare for an assessment of dementia
Recognize the signs of mild to moderate dementia
I recently helped a good friend transition her mother, who has mild to moderate dementia, into an assisted living program. As one of the first steps, I wrote a letter to the mother’s primary care physician, documenting the signs of dementia that I observed when I spent a week with her at her cottage … [Read more...] about Recognize the signs of mild to moderate dementia