Healthy Connections

Sex

The Value of Direct Communication About Sex

Maryann Karinch on May 10, 2022

Do you wish you could tell your partner what would improve your sex life? A bit of dialogue coaching might nudge you toward a good outcome.

Do you wish you could tell your partner what would improve your sex life? A bit of dialogue coaching might nudge you toward a good outcome.

Sex

How Disabling Challenges Can Enhance a Couple's Sex Life

Maryann Karinch on January 31, 2022

The sudden acquisition of a catheter, stoma bag, or other medical device can interfere with sex. But embracing the difference—and even having some fun with it—can help couples keep intimacy alive.

The sudden acquisition of a catheter, stoma bag, or other medical device can interfere with sex. But embracing the difference—and even having some fun with it—can help couples keep intimacy alive.

Narcissism

Red Alerts for Narcissistic Lovers

Maryann Karinch on November 12, 2021

Do you wonder if the person you love is a narcissist? Here are red flags from an expert and a survivor.

Do you wonder if the person you love is a narcissist? Here are red flags from an expert and a survivor.

Sex

Sex After Your Partner Dies

Maryann Karinch on July 27, 2021

Mourning the loss of sexual intimacy when your partner dies is called sexual bereavement, and it's a normal experience.

Mourning the loss of sexual intimacy when your partner dies is called sexual bereavement, and it's a normal experience.

Anxiety

COVID Vaccination and Lingering Intimacy Anxiety

Maryann Karinch on May 18, 2021

Just when you think you have everything under control, you feel like you’re graduating from high school again.

Just when you think you have everything under control, you feel like you’re graduating from high school again.

Empathy

Even Strong Hearts Can Break

Maryann Karinch on April 15, 2021

Do you have a friend with a broken heart? It's a real illness and you can take action to help your friend heal.

Do you have a friend with a broken heart? It's a real illness and you can take action to help your friend heal.

Empathy

The Best Side Effect of COVID Vaccination

Maryann Karinch on March 20, 2021

Dreading the potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine? Here's one to welcome.

Dreading the potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine? Here's one to welcome.

Career

We Can Be Emotionally Blinded by Those Who Do "Good Work"

Maryann Karinch on March 2, 2021

Ever feel sick when you're in the company of a professional do-gooder? Maybe find yourself a non-professional one.

Ever feel sick when you're in the company of a professional do-gooder? Maybe find yourself a non-professional one.

Relationships

Evacuation — An Antidote to the Pandemic

Maryann Karinch on November 29, 2020

In terms of relationships, our evacuation during raging wildfires was a kind of antidote to the pandemic. It reinforced healthy connections with family and friends.

In terms of relationships, our evacuation during raging wildfires was a kind of antidote to the pandemic. It reinforced healthy connections with family and friends.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Do You Feel Like You’re Climbing a Scree Field?

Maryann Karinch on August 24, 2020

How are you coping with the ambiguity of the pandemic? We all need "teammates" to help us move toward more certainty in our daily lives.

How are you coping with the ambiguity of the pandemic? We all need "teammates" to help us move toward more certainty in our daily lives.

Fear

The Power of Intimacy in a Pandemic

Maryann Karinch on August 9, 2020

Ever find yourself backing off, even from people you love and trust, because they might have "it"? You need more than hand sanitizer to protect yourself from the effects of COVID.

Ever find yourself backing off, even from people you love and trust, because they might have "it"? You need more than hand sanitizer to protect yourself from the effects of COVID.

Fear

Paranoid? Not If You Either Go Away or Smile

Maryann Karinch on May 10, 2020

You make the mask disappear when you put a smile behind it.

You make the mask disappear when you put a smile behind it.

Relationships

Emotion, Change, and Other Verbs

Maryann Karinch on March 14, 2020

Are you passively responding to love? Make "emotion" a verb in your life so love can make you feel good--literally!

Are you passively responding to love? Make "emotion" a verb in your life so love can make you feel good--literally!

Does the relationship you cherish suffer when you become physically intimate? Protect the connection you have with your partner by addressing the issue of painful sex.

Sex

Creating a Sexual "New Normal"

Maryann Karinch on October 21, 2019

Cancer tried to kill this couple's sex life, and cancer lost to love.

Cancer tried to kill this couple's sex life, and cancer lost to love.

Relationships

Introduction to Meathead Therapy

Maryann Karinch on September 4, 2019

Who are your people—the ones you hope will drop by and laugh with you at your kitchen table?

Who are your people—the ones you hope will drop by and laugh with you at your kitchen table?

Can cancer help cure a sick relationship? Yes. It can help you get focused on each other, stay tough, thrive on empathy, and laugh at weird challenges.