Have you ever found yourself sitting across from your partner at the end of a long day, barely exchanging more than a few words? The silence might have once been comforting, a sign of your closeness. But lately, it feels more like a chasm. You’re both tired—stressed from work, overwhelmed by the demands of life in Los Angeles—and somehow, in all the chaos, the connection you once cherished seems to have slipped away.

Do you rely on your partner to manage your emotions? In long-term relationships, this can create imbalance, disconnection, and resentment. Learn to build self-regulation skills.

Believe it or not, when you get to the stage of asking yourself, “Why don’t my relationships work out?” you are already on the way to answering your own question. Why? The fact that you have taken time to step back, reflect, and notice a pattern is the beginning of being able to initiate real change. By doing so, you are not only setting yourself up to find long-term partnerships, but you are also taking a healthy leap into your own growth.

Many couples in therapy have regrets about not seeking help sooner. What relationship patterns could have been addressed earlier? Learn how a Los Angeles couples therapist can help you stay close and break old habits.

When we are in a state of nervous system dysregulation or reactivity, often giving our partner a mood warning goes a long way to creating a pathway for clear and supportive communication.  Sharing a mood warning requires the practice of self-awareness, and as couples begin to implement this for themselves and in their connection together, it becomes an inherent – and loving – way to respond to one another. 

Ever heard of "tolyamory"? Coined by Dan Savage, it's when partners in a relationship "tolerate" outside sexual encounters without open discussion or agreement. Does your partnership feel safe and connected, or are doubts lingering? This article from a couples therapist delves into the complexities of tolyamory and its impact on relationships.

For those who are new to couples therapy, making that first appointment can often come with a lot of questions. It is entirely normal to feel a sense of trepidation when it means discussing your family patterns, dating history, relationship tensions, or communication work.

While the practice of gift-giving can be a source of joy and delight, sometimes it can come wrapped with an unexpected addition: tension and resentment. Gift-giving practices, perceptions, and expectations are often tied to our fundamental belief systems about giving and receiving pleasure and affirmation. Let’s gently untangle why gift-giving can present such a loaded source of emotion for couples.

Rituals of connection – or consistent practices of engagement – are a way to not only deepen the intimacy and bond of your marriage, they are also a steadfast force to fall back on during challenging times in a partnership. Working with a therapist in couples therapy to look at how rituals of connection are either feeding or impeding your connection is an essential way to proactively work on growth and awareness in your relationship.

Polyamory and open relationships are increasingly considered as valid and fulfilling alternatives to traditional monogamy, offering unique paths for intimacy and personal growth. However, navigating these non-traditional relationship styles requires intentional and open communication, a strong emphasis on mutual respect for boundaries, and a deep commitment to building trust among all partners involved. 

In many partnerships, one individual naturally takes on the role of the "default parent," managing the majority of childcare and household responsibilities. While this can arise from various factors like work schedules or agreements, it often leads to imbalance and strain within the marriage. This article from a Los Angeles couples therapist explores the stresses and joys of this dynamic and highlights the importance of open communication and seeking support through couples counseling.

True relationship harmony hinges on authenticity and depth of connection. However, for many partnerships, a chronic pattern of people-pleasing can lead to the erosion of intimacy and honesty. Trying to determine if certain behaviors are people-pleasing—and what drives those behaviors—can be a complex task.

Weaponized incompetence is the deliberate act of feigning ignorance or incapability as a long-term behavior pattern. It is often highly influenced by societal conditioning, normalizing of outdated roles within a partnership, or intentional lack of self-awareness. At times, weaponized incompetence can even be a subconscious behavior, so being able to identify when and where it happens—and how to reroute patterns of it—is crucial to harmony within a partnership.

Recently there has been a lot of discussion about what constitutes both mental labor and emotional labor, but how do they differ?  And how do they impact relationship dynamics?Often when couples are struggling to connect, understanding the definition of these terms—and how they are impacting your relationship--can lead to a shift in detrimental patterns that are keeping you and your partner from true intimacy.

In the journey of dating and relationships, it's not uncommon to encounter situations where partners have varying levels of enthusiasm or engagement. This dynamic can pose unique challenges but also opportunities for growth and understanding. Let’s explore how to navigate such scenarios, drawing from principles of couples therapy, relationship dynamics, and insights from the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) framework and attachment theory.

One of the dynamics we take for granted in long-term relationships are the ways in which body language conveys our attentiveness and engagement. In fact, certain patterns become so ingrained or such a habit that often we forget to step back and truly look at how our conscious and unconscious physical interaction—or lack of—play a role in how safe and regulated we feel in our partner’s presence.

In the bustling streets of Los Angeles, where love stories are as diverse as the city's skyline, relationships often emerge with excitement, uncertainty, and hope. Yet, beneath the glitz and glamour, lie nuances that can make or break a connection. Enter the realm of "yellow flags" in relationships—a concept akin to cautionary signals that warrant attention, understanding, and thoughtful navigation.

In the vibrant and diverse city of Los Angeles, the quest for the right life partner can be both exciting and challenging. With the bustling energy of our communities of Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, DTLA, and Hollywood, coupled with the influence of technology through online dating and dating apps, the search for the perfect match has taken on new dimensions. In this article, we will explore key strategies for finding the right partner in Los Angeles, incorporating insights from relationship therapists and the dynamic world of online dating.

Emotional labor is an interplay of gender dynamics, societal expectations, and power imbalances. Chances are, over time and societal conditioning, most of us have developed a deep internalization regarding our understanding of what emotional labor is, let alone the types of it.

When relationships reach a point of deep disconnection, often our tendency is to focus on negative responses to our partner’s behavior. Along with this comes a predilection for binary—all or nothing—thinking. Learning the practice of celebrating small wins will also go a long way to easing points of tension in a relationship.