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Are a Therapist’s Religious and Social Views Off Limits?
Thanks for your thoughtful question. I’m going to do my best to answer it and to alleviate some of the concerns you have expressed. The most important thing to address here is your statement ... Read More
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Help! What If My Therapist Goes on Maternity Leave Again?
This is a gut-wrenching position you find yourself in. On the one hand, you’ve done some great work with this therapist and built a strong relationship with her; on the other hand, ... Read More
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How Do I Shake the Anger I Feel after My Husband’s Affair?
Feeling angry is an incredibly natural response to the feelings of betrayal that come from infidelity. Your husband broke your trust. Your relationship has been damaged. All of this is ... Read More
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He’s an Introvert, I’m an Extrovert. Are We Doomed?
Thank you for this question. Handling the extroversion/introversion combination in a couple is something that many couples face. I’ve seen it quite frequently in my practice. Your ... Read More
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40 Years after Our Fling, Why Can’t I Forget about Her?
That girl in your head—she was your first love, perhaps? And your first heartache too? You still have feelings for her, it seems, and I think that while she may have many wonderful features, ... Read More
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Why Can’t My Wife Let Me Unwind at the Pub after Work?
Thank you for your letter. This kind of issue comes up frequently with couples, particularly early on in one’s marriage or partnership. It often involves a topic that has potent but conflicting ... Read More
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How Can I Come to Terms with My Lousy Lot in Life?
It might surprise you to hear this, but I think you might be on to something in seeking self-acceptance. While I do not think that you should accept that your current circumstances and ... Read More
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Am I Having a Midlife Crisis? Or Is It Something Else?
I don’t buy it, the fade-away stuff. I might go for burnout, considering that your kid just finished college, which implies many years of concerned parenting, but really, I have to say ... Read More
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Why Do I Feel Intense Shame and Self-Hatred When I Masturbate?
Thank you for your honest question. If anyone were to tell you that you’re “going straight to hell” for this, believe me, you’d have plenty of company on the way down—and an especially ... Read More
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I Don’t Love My Husband Anymore. Is It Time for a Divorce?
Before I jump straight to the heart of your question—to divorce or to not divorce—I’d like to take a moment and encourage you to consider some intermediate steps. What I hear you ... Read More
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Is It Normal for Group Therapy to Mix Teens with Adults?
Therapy groups are formed around a common interest to promote cohesiveness, a central factor in the strength of the group. Generally, this central factor includes common life experiences ... Read More
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Can We Survive My Girlfriend’s Control and Abandonment Issues?
Thank you for your question. Boy, have you been on a roller coaster! In fact, this was my first response: Gee, does he really want to get back on? But then I reflected on it, and I began ... Read More