Here, There, and Everywhere

Narcissism

When Narcissists Accuse You of Being Manipulative

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on June 25, 2026

Narcissists often falsely accuse others of manipulation. Discover the true difference between healthy, strategic communication and tactics meant to control and punish others.

Narcissists often falsely accuse others of manipulation. Discover the true difference between healthy, strategic communication and tactics meant to control and punish others.

Narcissism

When a Narcissist Refuses to Use Your Chosen Name

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on June 23, 2026

Deliberate misnaming signals disregard for personal boundaries.

Deliberate misnaming signals disregard for personal boundaries.

Jealousy

From Competition to Inspiration: Turning Envy Into Growth

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on June 19, 2026

Competition is normal, but competitive envy can hold us back. Learn practical ways to understand your reactions, challenge comparisons, and turn rivalry into growth.

Competition is normal, but competitive envy can hold us back. Learn practical ways to understand your reactions, challenge comparisons, and turn rivalry into growth.

Emotional Labor

Are You Constantly Monitoring Your Partner’s Mood?

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on February 25, 2026

If you find yourself constantly monitoring your partner's moods, you may be engaging in hidden emotional labor.

If you find yourself constantly monitoring your partner's moods, you may be engaging in hidden emotional labor.

Emotional Labor

What Happens When You Step Back in a Relationship

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on February 20, 2026

When you stop carrying all the emotional labor, you see whether your partner steps up. Stepping back reveals if a relationship is mutual or maintained by you alone.

When you stop carrying all the emotional labor, you see whether your partner steps up. Stepping back reveals if a relationship is mutual or maintained by you alone.

Emotional Labor

Emotional Labor in Relationships: When Love Becomes Work

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on February 19, 2026

Emotional labor is the invisible work of managing a relationship alone. When one partner does it all, resentment grows and intimacy fades.

Emotional labor is the invisible work of managing a relationship alone. When one partner does it all, resentment grows and intimacy fades.

Emotional Abuse

Why No Contact Feels Worse Than Staying With a Toxic Person

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on December 22, 2025

Leaving a harmful relationship and going no contact can sometimes hurt more than staying. Learn why, and what to do to help your healing process.

Leaving a harmful relationship and going no contact can sometimes hurt more than staying. Learn why, and what to do to help your healing process.

Narcissism

Hoovering: When Narcissists Try to Pull You Back In

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on December 16, 2025

Learn how “hoovering” works in toxic relationships, and how to protect yourself when a narcissist tries to pull you back in.

Learn how “hoovering” works in toxic relationships, and how to protect yourself when a narcissist tries to pull you back in.

Narcissism

Future-Faking in Toxic Relationships

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on October 29, 2025

Demand follow-through, not just more words.

Demand follow-through, not just more words.

Relationships

The Hidden Danger of Love-Bombing in Relationships

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on September 29, 2025

Love-bombing can feel good at first, but it's a sign of a toxic relationship with an end goal of power and control.

Love-bombing can feel good at first, but it's a sign of a toxic relationship with an end goal of power and control.

Relationships

The Math of Manipulation in Relationships

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on September 1, 2025

People use denominator neglect or “emotional math” to justify harm and minimize abusive behavior. Even if you are told that it was “just once,” your pain is real and valid.

People use denominator neglect or “emotional math” to justify harm and minimize abusive behavior. Even if you are told that it was “just once,” your pain is real and valid.

Self-Help

Self-Care vs. Escapism: Refueling or Running on Empty?

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on July 22, 2025

Are you relaxing or running away? Knowing the difference between self-care and escapism can help you become calmer and more productive.

Are you relaxing or running away? Knowing the difference between self-care and escapism can help you become calmer and more productive.

Boundaries

What Happens When You Stop Explaining Yourself

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on June 24, 2025

No one needs to justify things that don't need defending.

No one needs to justify things that don't need defending.

Self-Hatred

Chronic Self-Blame: What if You're Not the Problem?

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on June 1, 2025

Chronic self-blame often starts in childhood, but what if you were never the problem in the first place? It's time to stop the self-blame cycle.

Chronic self-blame often starts in childhood, but what if you were never the problem in the first place? It's time to stop the self-blame cycle.

Grief

When Healing Feels Like Backsliding

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on April 28, 2025

Healing isn’t linear—setbacks are part of growth, not a sign of failure.

Healing isn’t linear—setbacks are part of growth, not a sign of failure.

Friends

The "Good Enough" Friend

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on March 30, 2025

Many of us long for perfect adult friendships. But real connection is built on consistency, vulnerability, and being “good enough”—not flawless.

Many of us long for perfect adult friendships. But real connection is built on consistency, vulnerability, and being “good enough”—not flawless.

Anxiety

What to Do When You Just Can't Let It Go

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on March 27, 2025

Recognize it, disrupt it, and shift to action.

Recognize it, disrupt it, and shift to action.

Appetite

Quieting the Food Noise

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on March 24, 2025

Struggling with constant thoughts about food? Learn how to quiet the “food noise,” reconnect with your body, and find peace in your relationship with eating.

Struggling with constant thoughts about food? Learn how to quiet the “food noise,” reconnect with your body, and find peace in your relationship with eating.

Depression

Coping With Post-Holiday Blues

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on December 23, 2024

A post-holiday let-down is a normal response to the transition from a festive season to the grind of everyday life. Learn practical strategies to help you cope.

A post-holiday let-down is a normal response to the transition from a festive season to the grind of everyday life. Learn practical strategies to help you cope.

Depression

Help for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on December 19, 2024

SAD is more than just feeling “down” in gloomy weather. It’s a diagnosable condition that impacts functioning. Coping can be challenging, but there are solutions.

SAD is more than just feeling “down” in gloomy weather. It’s a diagnosable condition that impacts functioning. Coping can be challenging, but there are solutions.