Loving Bravely

Mating

How to Feel Confident Before, During, and After a First Date

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on October 21, 2021

Getting ready for a first date? A couples therapist offers tips for how to say calm, confident, and true to yourself when meeting someone new.

Getting ready for a first date? A couples therapist offers tips for how to say calm, confident, and true to yourself when meeting someone new.

Relationships

Why Some People Give In So Easily in Their Relationships

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on September 30, 2021

Do you struggle to know whether you are too accommodating or too rigid in your relationship?

Do you struggle to know whether you are too accommodating or too rigid in your relationship?

Stress

Affirmations for Single Mothers

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on September 24, 2021

The ongoing stress and uncertainty of the pandemic can sit heavily on the shoulders of single mothers. Here are four affirmations to remind you of your "enoughness."

The ongoing stress and uncertainty of the pandemic can sit heavily on the shoulders of single mothers. Here are four affirmations to remind you of your "enoughness."

Mating

How Couples Know They're Compatible

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on July 28, 2021

Although we need to be able to assess goodness-of-fit in an intimate relationship, we can also challenge our existing definitions of compatibility.

Although we need to be able to assess goodness-of-fit in an intimate relationship, we can also challenge our existing definitions of compatibility.

Relationships

How to Help Your Partner Open Up to You

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on June 11, 2021

Does your partner feel emotionally unavailable to you? This is why some people struggle to open up and how to foster the meaningful conversations you crave.

Does your partner feel emotionally unavailable to you? This is why some people struggle to open up and how to foster the meaningful conversations you crave.

Anxiety

Fully Vaccinated, Not Fully Ready to Date

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on May 15, 2021

You’ve gotten your vaccine, but perhaps you’re not quite ready to emerge. A relationship expert discusses Pandemic Emergence Social Anxiety, and how to cope with it.

You’ve gotten your vaccine, but perhaps you’re not quite ready to emerge. A relationship expert discusses Pandemic Emergence Social Anxiety, and how to cope with it.

Adolescence

When Parents Read a Teen's Diary Without Asking

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on April 29, 2021

Reading someone's diary without their consent is a violation of privacy. A relationship therapist explores what can drive us to want to snoop and what we can do instead.

Reading someone's diary without their consent is a violation of privacy. A relationship therapist explores what can drive us to want to snoop and what we can do instead.

Loneliness

The Hidden Challenges of Being Single During the Pandemic

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on March 15, 2021

Those of us who are single during the pandemic face a unique set of challenges. Here are ten major themes single people report experiencing, and tools for cultivating resilience.

Those of us who are single during the pandemic face a unique set of challenges. Here are ten major themes single people report experiencing, and tools for cultivating resilience.

Trauma

Talking With Kids and Teens About Violence at the Capitol

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on January 15, 2021

A family therapist shares seven suggestions for parents as they help their children and teens cope with the ongoing threats of white supremacist violence in the U.S.

A family therapist shares seven suggestions for parents as they help their children and teens cope with the ongoing threats of white supremacist violence in the U.S.

Relationships

The Mature Breakup

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on December 23, 2020

Three strategies to help you cope with the end of an intimate relationship in a way that promotes healing, learning, and growth.

Three strategies to help you cope with the end of an intimate relationship in a way that promotes healing, learning, and growth.

Relationships

Is Porn Bad for Relationships?

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on November 25, 2020

Couples often struggle to figure out when, whether, and how porn fits into their relationship. A couples therapist offers perspective and guidance on this tender topic.

Couples often struggle to figure out when, whether, and how porn fits into their relationship. A couples therapist offers perspective and guidance on this tender topic.

Infidelity

Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater?

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on October 26, 2020

Research shows that people who have cheated in the past have a higher risk of cheating again. If your partner has a history of infidelity, here's how to assess your level of risk.

Research shows that people who have cheated in the past have a higher risk of cheating again. If your partner has a history of infidelity, here's how to assess your level of risk.

Relationships

Rethinking Laziness

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on September 29, 2020

Using the word "lazy" to describe our partners or ourselves creates more problems than it solves. Here's how to honor your frustration and get what you need.

Using the word "lazy" to describe our partners or ourselves creates more problems than it solves. Here's how to honor your frustration and get what you need.

Relationships

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Relationship Uncertainty

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on August 28, 2020

Dealing with relational ambivalence is painful. A relationship expert surveys her social media audience about their experiences and shares the collective wisdom of their responses.

Dealing with relational ambivalence is painful. A relationship expert surveys her social media audience about their experiences and shares the collective wisdom of their responses.

Education

With All the Remote Work and E-Learning, Beware of Phubbing

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on August 19, 2020

It's more important than ever to maintain a digital boundary that reduces conflict and maximizes connection.

It's more important than ever to maintain a digital boundary that reduces conflict and maximizes connection.

Relationships

Cohabitation 101: Three Vital Skills for Moving in Together

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on June 23, 2020

The transition from dating to cohabitation is notoriously stressful. These three research-tested skills will help you stay connected.

The transition from dating to cohabitation is notoriously stressful. These three research-tested skills will help you stay connected.

Marriage

How to Talk to Your White Male Partner About Race

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on June 8, 2020

Even if you and your partner plan to vote the same way in 2020, differences in how you each reckon with how to be an anti-racist ally can be cause for conflict right now.

Even if you and your partner plan to vote the same way in 2020, differences in how you each reckon with how to be an anti-racist ally can be cause for conflict right now.

Sex

How Couples Can Talk About Porn, and Why They Should

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on May 13, 2020

If sheltering in place is triggering conflict about pornography in your relationship, try these four strategies to increase understanding and intimacy.

If sheltering in place is triggering conflict about pornography in your relationship, try these four strategies to increase understanding and intimacy.

Relationships

Help! My Loved One Refuses to Practice Social Distancing

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on March 27, 2020

Is someone you love refusing to take the coronavirus as seriously as you are? Here are strategies for dealing with the fear, frustration, and relationship fallout.

Is someone you love refusing to take the coronavirus as seriously as you are? Here are strategies for dealing with the fear, frustration, and relationship fallout.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Under One Roof: Home Together During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Alexandra H. Solomon Ph.D. on March 12, 2020

Faced with a pandemic, routines are disrupted and uncertainty reigns. Here are some emotional first aid strategies couples can use to cope with this new reality.

Faced with a pandemic, routines are disrupted and uncertainty reigns. Here are some emotional first aid strategies couples can use to cope with this new reality.