Compassion Matters

Marriage

How to Stay in Love: Advice for Couples Getting Married

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on May 26, 2026

Last month at my nephew's wedding, a simple card at my place setting asked for advice and wishes. Here's what I know about staying in love.

Last month at my nephew's wedding, a simple card at my place setting asked for advice and wishes. Here's what I know about staying in love.

Relationships

How to Stop Feeling Lonely in Your Relationship

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on April 22, 2026

The emotional distance couples experience in relationships often traces back to psychological defenses formed in infancy. Five mindsets can help partners see each other anew.

The emotional distance couples experience in relationships often traces back to psychological defenses formed in infancy. Five mindsets can help partners see each other anew.

Self-Talk

Practicing Radical Curiosity: Rethinking Who You Are

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on March 26, 2026

What if the key to knowing yourself isn't introspection but curiosity? Being open instead of judgmental with yourself can transform the way you think, feel, and live.

What if the key to knowing yourself isn't introspection but curiosity? Being open instead of judgmental with yourself can transform the way you think, feel, and live.

Relationships

3 Practical Ways to Navigate Difficult Conversations

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on March 9, 2026

Direct talk about tough topics is intimidating, but it’s the path to trust. Leading with genuine empathy can transform a difficult conversation into a safe space for connection.

Direct talk about tough topics is intimidating, but it’s the path to trust. Leading with genuine empathy can transform a difficult conversation into a safe space for connection.

Grief

Writing as Sanctuary: Carrying Grief Word by Word

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on February 5, 2026

When loss feels too heavy to bear, your journal becomes a sanctuary. Letting your darkest thoughts flow onto the page can lighten the burden and help you breathe again.

When loss feels too heavy to bear, your journal becomes a sanctuary. Letting your darkest thoughts flow onto the page can lighten the burden and help you breathe again.

Emotion Regulation

Writing Your Way Through Emotional Triggers

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on May 23, 2025

How to reduce your emotional reactivity through recognizing and writing about triggers.

How to reduce your emotional reactivity through recognizing and writing about triggers.

Relationships

A Powerful Way to Improve Our Relationships

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on November 26, 2022

How insecurities affect our relationships and what we can do to have healthier dialogue.

How insecurities affect our relationships and what we can do to have healthier dialogue.

Self-Talk

Why We Underestimate Our Effect on Others

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on October 6, 2022

New research shows that people may not understand the impact that even their smallest acts of kindness can have on others.

New research shows that people may not understand the impact that even their smallest acts of kindness can have on others.

Gratitude

3 Simple Ways to Quickly Improve Your Mood

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on September 10, 2022

When I'm asked for an immediate method to get out of a bad mood, these are the three main things I advise.

When I'm asked for an immediate method to get out of a bad mood, these are the three main things I advise.

Relationships

How to Love Your Partner the Way They Want to Be Loved

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on August 27, 2022

Thinking about how we show love can be a powerful practice for keeping our feelings alive and well in a relationship.

Thinking about how we show love can be a powerful practice for keeping our feelings alive and well in a relationship.

Relationships

A Better Way for Couples to Connect

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on July 24, 2022

Collaborative communication can be a powerful tool for improving interpersonal relationships. Here, I break down what it entails and why it makes such a difference to couples.

Collaborative communication can be a powerful tool for improving interpersonal relationships. Here, I break down what it entails and why it makes such a difference to couples.

Health

What to Do When You Feel Paralyzed by the News

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on July 11, 2022

When outside forces determine major world events, it touches on our deepest and most human vulnerability. How do we cope with this?

When outside forces determine major world events, it touches on our deepest and most human vulnerability. How do we cope with this?

Trust

Why Is Honesty So Important in a Relationship?

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on July 5, 2022

Feeling comfortable enough to disclose something vulnerable or meaningful about ourselves to our partner is indicative of a relationship’s strength.

Feeling comfortable enough to disclose something vulnerable or meaningful about ourselves to our partner is indicative of a relationship’s strength.

Relationships

3 Reasons Why Someone Might Avoid Intimacy

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on June 25, 2022

The big question for many of us is why we start to pull away from people we like or situations that seem desirable.

The big question for many of us is why we start to pull away from people we like or situations that seem desirable.

Self-Talk

4 Ways to Get Your Partner to Hear You

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on June 8, 2022

These four principles have made the biggest difference when it comes to helping couples feel seen, heard, and closer to each other.

These four principles have made the biggest difference when it comes to helping couples feel seen, heard, and closer to each other.

Self-Talk

3 Questions That Could Change Your Relationship With Food

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on May 30, 2022

When it comes to changing how we feel about ourselves and think about the food we eat, asking ourselves these three questions can be a huge help.

When it comes to changing how we feel about ourselves and think about the food we eat, asking ourselves these three questions can be a huge help.

Anger

3 Things to Do the Minute You’re Overwhelmed With Anger

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on May 3, 2022

Here are three tips I give everyone, from couples to parents, to help them handle heated moments of frustration, annoyance, or outright rage.

Here are three tips I give everyone, from couples to parents, to help them handle heated moments of frustration, annoyance, or outright rage.

Anger

6 Tips for Dealing With Your Anger

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on April 29, 2022

Failing to face or accept our anger can lead to a series of maladaptations. Here's how to change your relationship to anger.

Failing to face or accept our anger can lead to a series of maladaptations. Here's how to change your relationship to anger.

Trauma

9 Tips to Help Free Yourself From Childhood Trauma

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on March 15, 2022

When trauma is unresolved, it can haunt you in many ways. Here are nine suggestions to help you resolve trauma that's impacting your life.

When trauma is unresolved, it can haunt you in many ways. Here are nine suggestions to help you resolve trauma that's impacting your life.

Attachment

Why Can’t You Move on From Your Relationship?

Lisa Firestone Ph.D. on March 8, 2022

Many people get stuck in the pain of a breakup or repeatedly return to the same partner. If this pattern resonates with you, here's what to do.

Many people get stuck in the pain of a breakup or repeatedly return to the same partner. If this pattern resonates with you, here's what to do.