A Marriage of Equals

Relationships

Are You "Weaponizing" Mental Health Terminology?

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on August 28, 2023

Does psychology sanction selfishness? Therapy-speak can enhance self-interest in relationships.

Does psychology sanction selfishness? Therapy-speak can enhance self-interest in relationships.

Parenting

Why Some Women Don't Want Children

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on June 19, 2023

It is increasingly common for someone to identify as "childfree," rather than "childless."

It is increasingly common for someone to identify as "childfree," rather than "childless."

Marriage

Is Your Marriage Suffocating You?

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on June 9, 2023

Why aren't many marriages working anymore? Here's what the Suffocation Model of Marriage gets wrong.

Why aren't many marriages working anymore? Here's what the Suffocation Model of Marriage gets wrong.

Anxiety

Negative Experiences Can Add Meaning to Your Life

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on February 27, 2023

Sometimes, we see emotions and behaviors like sadness, anger, anxiety, and reactivity as "symptoms" of a mental disturbance. Yet, surviving bad experiences also brings us meaning.

Sometimes, we see emotions and behaviors like sadness, anger, anxiety, and reactivity as "symptoms" of a mental disturbance. Yet, surviving bad experiences also brings us meaning.

Psychiatry

Do You Have Symptoms of a Mental Disorder?

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on February 17, 2023

We may be at risk of pathologizing normal human experiences. Here's why.

We may be at risk of pathologizing normal human experiences. Here's why.

Fear

Is "Fear of Abandonment" Pathological?

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on December 21, 2022

Let's not pathologize life experiences.

Let's not pathologize life experiences.

Intelligence

Being on Your Own for the Holidays: Time to Reflect

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on November 29, 2022

How to live well alone.

How to live well alone.

Depression

Don't Characterize People's Actions as "Normal"

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on September 22, 2022

Characterizing an action as "normal" is your interpretation.

Characterizing an action as "normal" is your interpretation.

Sex

How to Rethink Sexual Relationships After the Abortion Ruling

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on July 17, 2022

Abortion is a partnership endeavor in the post-Roe world.

Abortion is a partnership endeavor in the post-Roe world.

Forgiveness

What Happens When You Blame Your Partner and How to Stop

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on June 28, 2022

Finding fault with your partner creates a bridge too far.

Finding fault with your partner creates a bridge too far.

Sex

Tension in Your Relationship Is Good

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on June 14, 2022

On being a partner and an individual at the same time.

On being a partner and an individual at the same time.

Sex

Sex Is Not Just Sex—It's Baby-Making

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on April 29, 2022

Good sex is partnered sex.

Good sex is partnered sex.

Emotions

Do Not Validate Unexamined Emotions

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on April 6, 2022

There is no unique "fingerprint" for each emotion.

There is no unique "fingerprint" for each emotion.

Career

Where Are the Virtuous Men?

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on March 6, 2022

The Industrial Revolution gave us "masculine" men and "virtuous" women.

The Industrial Revolution gave us "masculine" men and "virtuous" women.

Marriage

The Ongoing Struggle to Create a Marriage of Equals

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on February 15, 2022

Why it's hard to change gender-based ideas in marriages between men and women.

Why it's hard to change gender-based ideas in marriages between men and women.

Sex

Women in Pursuit of Good Sex

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on February 1, 2022

Good sex is partnered sex.

Good sex is partnered sex.

Marriage

Your Marriage Vows Do Not Entitle You to Anything

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on January 14, 2022

Your marriage vows provide for your spouse—not you.

Your marriage vows provide for your spouse—not you.

Marriage is about creating a collaborative relationship process.

Marriage

For Your Marriage to Work, Commit to Your Relationship

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on December 2, 2021

Marriage is about committing to the relationship process. How you interact with each other keeps love alive for the long haul.

Marriage is about committing to the relationship process. How you interact with each other keeps love alive for the long haul.

Marriage

How to Flourish in Marriage While Being Your Own Person

Catherine Aponte Psy.D. on October 11, 2021

You are an individual and a spouse.

You are an individual and a spouse.