The Friendship Doctor

Friends

My Friend Is Backing Out of Our Trip

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on June 23, 2017

Whether this relationship is romantic or platonic, it sounds like he just isn’t that into you.

Whether this relationship is romantic or platonic, it sounds like he just isn’t that into you.

Friends

Betrayed by a Workplace Friend

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on March 25, 2017

A woman wonders whether she can remain friends with a co-worker who complained about her to their boss.

A woman wonders whether she can remain friends with a co-worker who complained about her to their boss.

Friends

Too Many Questions!

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on March 16, 2017

How do you handle a friend who asks so many questions that you feel like you’re being interrogated?

How do you handle a friend who asks so many questions that you feel like you’re being interrogated?

Friends

Feeling Friendless After Separation

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on February 15, 2017

Advice on dealing with separation from a long-time partner.

Advice on dealing with separation from a long-time partner.

Friends

What to Say When Someone Asks About Your Holiday Plans

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on December 8, 2016

Idealized holidays like Christmas have a way of making those with non-traditional families, very small families, or no families feel very sorry for themselves.

Idealized holidays like Christmas have a way of making those with non-traditional families, very small families, or no families feel very sorry for themselves.

Friends

How to Handle a Friend Who Pressures You to Buy Stuff

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on November 27, 2016

As the holidays approach, friends may lean on you to help achieve their business goals. How can you respond graciously?

As the holidays approach, friends may lean on you to help achieve their business goals. How can you respond graciously?

Friends

A Roommate Asks: Is Living and Working Together Too Much?

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on November 18, 2016

A woman living and working with a friend feels guilty about setting boundaries.

A woman living and working with a friend feels guilty about setting boundaries.

Admittedly, it’s tough to make friends when you’re feeling depressed. Here are some tips that might help.

Friends

An Out-of-Sync Friendship

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on August 10, 2016

A woman laments the loss of a long-time friend when their circumstances change.

A woman laments the loss of a long-time friend when their circumstances change.

Friends

Watching Edie: An Interview With Novelist Camilla Way

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on August 3, 2016

Watching Edie, a new novel about friendship, is a psychological thriller.

Watching Edie, a new novel about friendship, is a psychological thriller.

Depression

Depression and Friendship

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on July 31, 2016

Depression can affect so many aspects of a person’s life, including their friendships.

Depression can affect so many aspects of a person’s life, including their friendships.

Friends

Ambivalent About Taking a Trip With Friends

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on July 27, 2016

Camping with friends (or taking any other type of trip, for that matter) can be a wonderful bonding experience if you are with the "right" friends under the "right" circumstances.

Camping with friends (or taking any other type of trip, for that matter) can be a wonderful bonding experience if you are with the "right" friends under the "right" circumstances.

Friends

Are Facebook "Likes" a Barometer of Friendship?

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on July 18, 2016

The dark side of social media is when we use it to judge ourselves.

The dark side of social media is when we use it to judge ourselves.

Friends

Office Banter Turns to Silence

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on June 25, 2016

A woman's close friendship with a male co-worker suddenly becomes a distant one.

A woman's close friendship with a male co-worker suddenly becomes a distant one.

Friends

A Disturbing Encounter With Another Couple

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on May 7, 2016

A woman asks how to handle an uncomfortable relationship with someone who happens to be a psychologist.

A woman asks how to handle an uncomfortable relationship with someone who happens to be a psychologist.

Friends

A Workplace Friendship Turns Sour

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on April 16, 2016

It’s nice to forge friendships at work; they can make time at work more enjoyable and some studies suggest they enhance productivity—unless they get derailed.

It’s nice to forge friendships at work; they can make time at work more enjoyable and some studies suggest they enhance productivity—unless they get derailed.

Friends

Dealing with Adult Mean Girls at the Gym

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on March 19, 2016

A woman in her 50’s feels sucked into a friendship drama at her gym.

A woman in her 50’s feels sucked into a friendship drama at her gym.

Friends

The Difficulty of Ending a Very Long Friendship

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on March 13, 2016

Not everyone would be willing to persevere with a controlling friend who is unwilling to respect boundaries.

Not everyone would be willing to persevere with a controlling friend who is unwilling to respect boundaries.

Friends

Struggling With a Downgraded Friendship

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on February 13, 2016

Since her friend got involved in a relationship, she feels as if her friendship isn’t a priority anymore.

Since her friend got involved in a relationship, she feels as if her friendship isn’t a priority anymore.

Friends

When a Friend Complains but Doesn't Want Advice

Irene S Levine Ph.D. on January 24, 2016

When friends are in turmoil, they may snap at those who offer advice—even good friends.

When friends are in turmoil, they may snap at those who offer advice—even good friends.