Finding Love: The Scientific Take

Sex

Why You Should Ditch Goal-Oriented Sex

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on December 22, 2023

If the goal during sex is to climax, you may be headed for disappointment. Reframing the way you think about sex can reinvent the experience and the satisfaction derived from it.

If the goal during sex is to climax, you may be headed for disappointment. Reframing the way you think about sex can reinvent the experience and the satisfaction derived from it.

Relationships

If You Believe You'll Have a Great Relationship, You Probably Will

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on December 21, 2023

Relationship efficacy, or your belief in your ability as a partner, can affect how you show up in a relationship.

Relationship efficacy, or your belief in your ability as a partner, can affect how you show up in a relationship.

Relationships

A Prescribed Schedule Can Affect Relationships

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on November 29, 2023

A social clock involves the right time to do something. People tend to use this term in conjunction with leaving home, getting married, and other milestones. This can cause stress.

A social clock involves the right time to do something. People tend to use this term in conjunction with leaving home, getting married, and other milestones. This can cause stress.

Anger

3 Questions to Help You Assess How You Feel and React

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on October 27, 2023

Asking questions to help you reflect on your emotional experiences can have a lasting impact on your relationship.

Asking questions to help you reflect on your emotional experiences can have a lasting impact on your relationship.

Relationships

The Work of Blending Families

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on September 20, 2023

Blending families can create stress for individuals, but following a few simple rules can help you achieve success.

Blending families can create stress for individuals, but following a few simple rules can help you achieve success.

Relationships

The Partner at Home

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on August 31, 2023

Being the partner who is working from home can present challenges for the relationship.

Being the partner who is working from home can present challenges for the relationship.

Motivation

To Reach Goals, Make a Plan

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on August 1, 2023

Making plans increases follow-through and can have implications for romantic relationships.

Making plans increases follow-through and can have implications for romantic relationships.

Relationships

Personalizing Perceived Losses Can Harm Your Relationship

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on July 11, 2023

Have you ever perceived a request by your partner as an indication that you are not up to their standards? That's "personalossing".

Have you ever perceived a request by your partner as an indication that you are not up to their standards? That's "personalossing".

Relationships

Don’t Solve, Just Listen

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on June 27, 2023

While often well-intentioned, attempting to solve your partner’s problems may create a larger issue.

While often well-intentioned, attempting to solve your partner’s problems may create a larger issue.

Relationships

The Link Between Cognition and Emotion Perception

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on June 1, 2023

Embodied cognition links our thoughts and experiences. Research has connected our own facial movements to the interpretation of the emotions of others.

Embodied cognition links our thoughts and experiences. Research has connected our own facial movements to the interpretation of the emotions of others.

Anxiety

Helping a Partner With Anxiety

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on May 1, 2023

The more you know about their anxiety, the more helpful you can be.

The more you know about their anxiety, the more helpful you can be.

Diet

How a Dietary Journey Affects Your Partner

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on April 1, 2023

Many weight-loss apps and programs focus on healthy eating. When one person joins, how likely will their efforts affect their partner's?

Many weight-loss apps and programs focus on healthy eating. When one person joins, how likely will their efforts affect their partner's?

Infidelity

Therapy After Infidelity

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on March 1, 2023

Working with a therapist can be extremely beneficial for a couple experiencing infidelity, if they can find a therapist who makes them both feel supported.

Working with a therapist can be extremely beneficial for a couple experiencing infidelity, if they can find a therapist who makes them both feel supported.

Relationships

Love and Travel

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on February 18, 2023

Beyond the excitement of taking a trip, traveling together can enhance your relationship with your partner.

Beyond the excitement of taking a trip, traveling together can enhance your relationship with your partner.

Relationships

How Temperament Affects Relationships

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on January 31, 2023

Temperament, our adaptation to novel situations or environments, can impact how we relate to our partners.

Temperament, our adaptation to novel situations or environments, can impact how we relate to our partners.

Relationships

Technology and Love

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on January 13, 2023

Technology can be used to enhance existing relationships in several ways.

Technology can be used to enhance existing relationships in several ways.

Relationships

How Technology Can Help or Harm Relationships

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on December 31, 2022

Couples can use technology to connect—or escape.

Couples can use technology to connect—or escape.

Stress

When Partners Have Different Levels of Cleanliness

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on November 30, 2022

How does a couple coexist peacefully when their levels of tidiness do not align?

How does a couple coexist peacefully when their levels of tidiness do not align?

Stress

Working With Your Partner to Confront and Control Stress

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on November 3, 2022

Dyadic coping strategies are important not only for reducing stress but also for enhancing relationship satisfaction. Working with your partner is important.

Dyadic coping strategies are important not only for reducing stress but also for enhancing relationship satisfaction. Working with your partner is important.

Marriage

Measuring Progress in Marriage and Family Therapy

Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT on October 10, 2022

Assessment is an important part of counseling/therapy. It can be used to determine a baseline, growth, and overall change. Most importantly, it can help guide the process.

Assessment is an important part of counseling/therapy. It can be used to determine a baseline, growth, and overall change. Most importantly, it can help guide the process.