Off the Couch

Family Dynamics

How Important Are Family Dinners?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on January 18, 2026

Research suggests that comfortable family dinners are an important part of a healthy family life. It's even better when children help prepare the meal and tell stories.

Research suggests that comfortable family dinners are an important part of a healthy family life. It's even better when children help prepare the meal and tell stories.

Relationships

I Love You, You're Perfect...But I Want You to Change

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on December 29, 2025

We're drawn to partners who are both different from and similar to us and to people from our past. How do we find the balance to create a satisfying longterm relationship?

We're drawn to partners who are both different from and similar to us and to people from our past. How do we find the balance to create a satisfying longterm relationship?

Identity

The Best Way to Heal a Broken Heart

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on December 7, 2025

The end of a relationship is a time of transition from one part of your life to another. It is also an opportunity to open up new ways of being. Here's how you can make it work.

The end of a relationship is a time of transition from one part of your life to another. It is also an opportunity to open up new ways of being. Here's how you can make it work.

Friends

Making and Protecting Friendships in Uncertain Times

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on November 2, 2025

Friendships can help us in difficult times, but stress and anxiety can disrupt even the best connections. Here's one way to protect your old friendships and develop new ones.

Friendships can help us in difficult times, but stress and anxiety can disrupt even the best connections. Here's one way to protect your old friendships and develop new ones.

Anxiety

Your Distractions Can Reveal Hidden Strengths

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on September 27, 2025

Distraction generally has a bad reputation in our focused world. But not all distraction is bad or pathological, and distractions can sometimes teach us something about ourselves.

Distraction generally has a bad reputation in our focused world. But not all distraction is bad or pathological, and distractions can sometimes teach us something about ourselves.

Motivation

Moving On Can Introduce You to Forgotten Parts of Yourself

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on August 29, 2025

When you're having trouble moving past a breakup, a deep dive into your psyche can help you get started. Beware: it might not take you in the direction you had in mind.

When you're having trouble moving past a breakup, a deep dive into your psyche can help you get started. Beware: it might not take you in the direction you had in mind.

Motivation

Are You Lazy? 3 Ways to Combat the Stigma of Laziness

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on August 3, 2025

Laziness can look willful and stubborn, but underlying issues can keep us stuck in problematic behaviors. Here are three techniques for shifting your perspective — and behavior.

Laziness can look willful and stubborn, but underlying issues can keep us stuck in problematic behaviors. Here are three techniques for shifting your perspective — and behavior.

Dreaming

What Do Your Recurring Dreams Have to Tell You?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on June 24, 2025

Recurring dreams often have something to tell you about your inner psychological life and problems you're trying to solve in your daily life.

Recurring dreams often have something to tell you about your inner psychological life and problems you're trying to solve in your daily life.

Relationships

Dealing With a Chronic Complainer? 6 Ways to Turn the Tide

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on May 18, 2025

Chronic complainers can be a pain socially and at work. These six strategies can help you turn their grumbling into constructive complaints.

Chronic complainers can be a pain socially and at work. These six strategies can help you turn their grumbling into constructive complaints.

Social Life

"Did I Just Say That?" How to Recover From Problematic Comments

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on March 30, 2025

A slip of a tongue can be briefly funny, then forgotten. But sometimes, these verbal (or written) slips can be brutal or come with social consequences. How can you recover?

A slip of a tongue can be briefly funny, then forgotten. But sometimes, these verbal (or written) slips can be brutal or come with social consequences. How can you recover?

Resilience

The Importance of Joy in the Darkest of Times

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on February 13, 2025

Do you feel like you shouldn't be happy during hard times? It may seem paradoxical, but joy is a powerful tool that can help you through dark days.

Do you feel like you shouldn't be happy during hard times? It may seem paradoxical, but joy is a powerful tool that can help you through dark days.

Health

Should You Develop a Wellness Plan?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on January 5, 2025

A wellness plan is a personalized program to improve your overall health and well-being. Here's an easy way to get started on your own.

A wellness plan is a personalized program to improve your overall health and well-being. Here's an easy way to get started on your own.

Jealousy

When Jealousy Is Good for a Friendship

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on December 11, 2024

Jealousy and its sibling, envy, are painful feelings that most of us go out of our way to avoid. Unfortunately, sometimes the avoidance causes even more problems.

Jealousy and its sibling, envy, are painful feelings that most of us go out of our way to avoid. Unfortunately, sometimes the avoidance causes even more problems.

Relationships

Uncertainty Can Be a Powerful Ally in Any Relationship

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on October 16, 2024

Making room for confusion in a relationship can be—confusing and very useful.

Making room for confusion in a relationship can be—confusing and very useful.

Procrastination

Feeling Stuck? 5 Steps to Unsticking Yourself

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on September 9, 2024

We’re often told not to look back. But when you’re stuck, sometimes the past can help you move forward.

We’re often told not to look back. But when you’re stuck, sometimes the past can help you move forward.

Stress

Stressed Out? One Small Change Can Make a Difference

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on August 17, 2024

Are you stressed out and overwhelmed? If so, you probably feel like there's no way out of the hamster wheel of your life. This simple tool can help you feel better.

Are you stressed out and overwhelmed? If so, you probably feel like there's no way out of the hamster wheel of your life. This simple tool can help you feel better.

Relationships

6 Ways to Balance Relationships

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on July 7, 2024

Are you too clingy? Too independent? Are you different at home from how you are at work? Bringing different sides of yourself together can help you find a healthy balance.

Are you too clingy? Too independent? Are you different at home from how you are at work? Bringing different sides of yourself together can help you find a healthy balance.

Shame

Do You Suffer from Phone Game Shame?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on April 23, 2024

Many of use feel shame about playing games on our phones, even when they're supposed to improve some part of our brain functioning. Is playing games on your phone really so bad?

Many of use feel shame about playing games on our phones, even when they're supposed to improve some part of our brain functioning. Is playing games on your phone really so bad?

Social Media

What's the Truth Behind a Beautiful Image or Perfect Story?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on April 7, 2024

Taking the idea of a “perfect life” or “perfect anything” with a grain of salt can be hard, but it can lead to greater satisfaction with reality.

Taking the idea of a “perfect life” or “perfect anything” with a grain of salt can be hard, but it can lead to greater satisfaction with reality.

Career

What's the Difference Between Self-Care and Selfish?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on January 27, 2024

Does caring for your own needs create a problem for others you love? Or do you sacrifice yourself and give them what they need? Finding the middle ground.

Does caring for your own needs create a problem for others you love? Or do you sacrifice yourself and give them what they need? Finding the middle ground.