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A New GPS for Intimate Relationships

Exploring need management therapy.

Sex
A Powerful Aphrodisiac for Her

Robert N. Johansen Ph.D. on November 17, 2023

A female or female-identifying partner's sex life can be fragile and easily extinguished—ironically, by the very selfless behaviors that often make her most loveable.

A female or female-identifying partner's sex life can be fragile and easily extinguished—ironically, by the very selfless behaviors that often make her most loveable.

Forgiveness
The Power Apology: It Can Repair the Damage

Robert N. Johansen Ph.D. on October 6, 2023

Some apologies are better than others. Which are the best? Can we improve the quality of our apologies? Can they be improved upon with learning and practice?

Some apologies are better than others. Which are the best? Can we improve the quality of our apologies? Can they be improved upon with learning and practice?

Persuasion
Benevolent Control: A Better Way to Exert Influence

Robert N. Johansen Ph.D. on September 1, 2023

A partner's maturity, as expressed in the healthy management of their personal needs, can be positively "contagious," influencing similar behavior in their partner.

A partner's maturity, as expressed in the healthy management of their personal needs, can be positively "contagious," influencing similar behavior in their partner.

Relationships
What's Your Intimacy IQ?

Robert N. Johansen Ph.D. on June 15, 2023

Having a good intimacy IQ can help you navigate the rigors of our most complex relationships—intimate relationships.

Having a good intimacy IQ can help you navigate the rigors of our most complex relationships—intimate relationships.

Blaming's healthy substitute: Effective need management
Leadership
From Partner Blaming to Partner Respect

Robert N. Johansen Ph.D. on December 21, 2022

Do you sometimes resort to blaming your partner? If so, how would you assess your own need management skills? Addressing this in therapy can lead to a turnaround.

Do you sometimes resort to blaming your partner? If so, how would you assess your own need management skills? Addressing this in therapy can lead to a turnaround.

Relationships
The Myth of Compatibility

Robert N. Johansen Ph.D. on September 28, 2022

By prioritizing how we love our partners over the conventional priority given to who we love, we untether from emotional dependency on shifting perceptions of compatibility.

By prioritizing how we love our partners over the conventional priority given to who we love, we untether from emotional dependency on shifting perceptions of compatibility.

He vs. She
Gender
Men and Women: The Longest War

Robert N. Johansen Ph.D. on June 12, 2022

How much do our gender role expectations amplify our differences and thus play a role in turning up the conflictual heat?

How much do our gender role expectations amplify our differences and thus play a role in turning up the conflictual heat?

What does intimacy reveal about me?
Infidelity
A New Theory of Cheating

Robert N. Johansen Ph.D. on April 3, 2022

Intimacy reveals our emotional/maturational development and thereby affords us an opportunity for emotional development, as does no other relationship.

Intimacy reveals our emotional/maturational development and thereby affords us an opportunity for emotional development, as does no other relationship.