The Well-Lived Life

Education

Children’s Need for Movement

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on July 21, 2022

For physical and mental well-being at any age, we need to get moving.

For physical and mental well-being at any age, we need to get moving.

Relationships

The “We” of Healthy Relationships

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on June 24, 2022

The shift from "I" to "we" in relationships reflects an expansion of the self to include one's partner. This results in greater health and happiness.

The shift from "I" to "we" in relationships reflects an expansion of the self to include one's partner. This results in greater health and happiness.

Sex

Wanting Too Much or Too Little Sex

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on April 13, 2022

Do you and your partner disagree about how often to have sex? This may not be a disorder. It may be just a difference, and it is resolvable.

Do you and your partner disagree about how often to have sex? This may not be a disorder. It may be just a difference, and it is resolvable.

Resilience

Creating a Resilient Family

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on March 7, 2022

Resilient families have characteristics in common that allow them to face the most extraordinary challenges and overcome them.

Resilient families have characteristics in common that allow them to face the most extraordinary challenges and overcome them.

Relationships

Traditions, Old and New

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on December 20, 2021

The holidays are here, and many are thinking about family. How do we pay tribute to the past and celebrate the new?

The holidays are here, and many are thinking about family. How do we pay tribute to the past and celebrate the new?

Relationships

Hidden Relationship Issues

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on November 15, 2021

Do you and your partner find yourselves repeating the same arguments over and over again? The root cause may be hidden issues that need to be addressed.

Do you and your partner find yourselves repeating the same arguments over and over again? The root cause may be hidden issues that need to be addressed.

Gender

How Feelings About "Being a Girl" Have Changed

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on August 10, 2021

Rogers and Hammerstein penned the song "I enjoy being a girl" in 1958. With the women's movement of the 1960s, the reasons for not enjoying being a girl changed significantly.

Rogers and Hammerstein penned the song "I enjoy being a girl" in 1958. With the women's movement of the 1960s, the reasons for not enjoying being a girl changed significantly.

Laughter

I Am Not My Pain

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on July 5, 2021

Life is full of both joy and pain, gain and loss, laughter and tears. How we experience life and who we become depends on our response to these experiences.

Life is full of both joy and pain, gain and loss, laughter and tears. How we experience life and who we become depends on our response to these experiences.

Sex

Seeking Help When Intercourse is Painful

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on June 14, 2021

Some women lose interest in sex because they experience pain during intercourse. This is a medical condition that can be treated.

Some women lose interest in sex because they experience pain during intercourse. This is a medical condition that can be treated.

Cognition

Without Critical Thinking Skills, We Can Easily Be Misled

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on May 25, 2021

Not being able to think critically in today's media environment is like a soldier going up against tanks with only a rifle.

Not being able to think critically in today's media environment is like a soldier going up against tanks with only a rifle.

Health

The Health Effects of Loneliness

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on May 13, 2021

Isolation during the pandemic has increased loneliness, which has mental and physical health consequences. Especially concerning is the impact on immune responses to vaccines.

Isolation during the pandemic has increased loneliness, which has mental and physical health consequences. Especially concerning is the impact on immune responses to vaccines.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

COVID-19 and How It Affects Our Children

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on March 1, 2021

Lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic have been hard on everyone, but especially on children.

Lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic have been hard on everyone, but especially on children.

Relationships

For Cancer Patients, Someone to Love Helps

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on January 13, 2021

The good news is that cancers of all types are no longer a death sentence. Healthy relationships can make a big difference in what survival looks like.

The good news is that cancers of all types are no longer a death sentence. Healthy relationships can make a big difference in what survival looks like.

Gratitude

Gratitude in the Midst of Conflict

Maria L. Boccia Ph.D., D.Min., LMFT on December 14, 2020

Remembering what we have to be grateful for and expressing that gratefulness to the important people in our lives is life-affirming and enhances our physical and mental health.

Remembering what we have to be grateful for and expressing that gratefulness to the important people in our lives is life-affirming and enhances our physical and mental health.