Category

Relationships & Dating

Dating, breakup, friendship, love languages, and limerence.

A woman in a purple sweater and a man in a linen shirt sit on a living-room sofa talking, with coffee and plants on the table.
Sep 13, 2026

Healthy Relationship Tips: Debunking Popular Advice and Replacing It With What Works

The most important thing in a good relationship is not chemistry, shared hobbies, or perfect communication-it is having a partner who is a willing participant. This article debunks eight popular relationship myths and replaces them with evidence-based tools.

A couple on an evening date at a cocktail bar, one leaning in and engaged while the other glances down at his phone.
Sep 9, 2026

The Penny Method in Dating: How a Disturbing Dating Technique Messes With Your Mind

The penny method is one of the most insidious patterns in modern dating, and chances are you've experienced it without having a name for it. Here's what you need to know to recognize it, understand why it hurts, and protect yourself.

A woman sits on a sofa at dusk, chin in hand, looking out at a city skyline with her phone beside her.
Feb 3, 2025

Understanding and Overcoming Limerence

Struggling with an infatuation that dominates your every waking moment? You might be experiencing limerence, which often begins with the infatuation stage.

Managing Platonic Limerence: A Complete Guide
Sep 15, 2024

Managing Platonic Limerence: A Complete Guide

Platonic limerence is an intense infatuation with someone in a non-romantic way. It brings persistent thoughts and a longing for closeness. This article breaks down what platonic limerence is, highlights its signs, delves into its causes, and offers ways to manage it. Key Takeaways Platonic limerence is an obsessive infatuation with a non-romantic individual, characterized […]

Understanding the Love Language Physical Touch
Sep 7, 2024

Understanding the Love Language Physical Touch

When physical touch is your love language, feeling loved means experiencing hugs, hand-holding, and other forms of affectionate contact. This article explains what the love language physical touch entails, how to recognize if it’s your primary way of expressing love, and offers practical tips on incorporating it into your relationships for deeper intimacy. Key Takeaways […]

Exploring the Acts of Service Love Language
Aug 26, 2024

Exploring the Acts of Service Love Language

Acts of service love language means expressing love by doing things your partner finds helpful. This article will guide you in understanding this love language, helping you identify if it’s yours, and offering practical tips to show it effectively, enhancing your relationship. Key Takeaways Acts of Service as a love language emphasizes practical actions that […]

The Psychology of Limerence and Anxious Attachment
Aug 26, 2024

The Psychology of Limerence and Anxious Attachment

Ever felt an overwhelming obsession with someone coupled with deep fears of abandonment? This article delves into limerence and anxious attachment, revealing how these interconnected emotional states shape your relationships and mental well-being. Explore the nuances of these patterns and discover practical strategies for managing them. Key Takeaways Limerence is an involuntary obsession characterized by […]

Understanding Limerence Stages and How to Manage Them
Aug 26, 2024

Understanding Limerence Stages and How to Manage Them

Limerence involves intense, involuntary attraction towards another person. Recognizing the limerence stages is crucial for understanding and managing these feelings. This article breaks down each stage of limerence and provides strategies to navigate this emotional journey. Key Takeaways Limerence is a psychological state characterized by obsessive thoughts, idealization, and extreme emotional highs and lows, often […]

Exploring the Words of Affirmation Love Language
Aug 20, 2024

Exploring the Words of Affirmation Love Language

Words of affirmation are key to making someone feel valued and loved. In this article, you’ll learn what words of affirmation are, how to use them effectively, and their impact on relationships. Whether for a partner, family, or friends, discover how these simple phrases can transform your connections. Key Takeaways Words of affirmation are essential […]

Breaking Free: How to Stop Self-Sabotaging Relationships
Aug 18, 2024

Breaking Free: How to Stop Self-Sabotaging Relationships

Do you often feel like you’re pushing your partner away, even when you don’t mean to? Self-sabotaging relationships is when your actions, whether conscious or unconscious, lead to the deterioration of your romantic connections. This article will help you understand these behaviors, uncover their root causes like fear or past trauma, and offer strategies to […]

Top Signs of Toxic Relationships and How to Handle Them
Aug 18, 2024

Top Signs of Toxic Relationships and How to Handle Them

Toxic relationships drain your energy and harm your well-being. Are you in one? In this article, we will help you recognize the warning signs of toxic relationships and provide steps to deal with them, whether they involve family, romantic partners, or co-workers. Key Takeaways Toxic relationships are characterized by emotional harm, manipulation, and a lack […]

Envy vs Jealousy: Key Differences and How to Manage Them
Aug 12, 2024

Envy vs Jealousy: Key Differences and How to Manage Them

When discussing emotions, envy and jealousy are often confused. Envy is the feeling you get when you desire something someone else has. Jealousy is the fear of losing something you value to someone else. Understanding envy vs jealousy is crucial because it helps us manage relationships and personal feelings more effectively. This article will explore […]

EMDR for Limerence: Effective Treatment and Strategies
Aug 8, 2024

EMDR for Limerence: Effective Treatment and Strategies

Is your mind consumed with obsessive thoughts about someone, leaving you emotionally distressed? If so, you might be dealing with limerence. This article discusses how EMDR for limerence can be an effective way to manage and overcome these intense feelings. Key Takeaways Limerence is characterized by obsessive thoughts, intense longing, and emotional dependency, often lacking […]

75 Best Conversation Starters to Break the Ice
Aug 8, 2024

75 Best Conversation Starters to Break the Ice

Struggling to start a conversation? Check out these 75 conversation starters to make your interactions easy and engaging, whether with strangers or friends. Key Takeaways Effective conversation starters can enhance interactions in various settings, from casual gatherings to professional environments. Specific topics like favorite food, past events, and life lessons help to deepen connections among […]

Effective Treatment for Limerence: Overcome Obsessive Feelings
Jul 29, 2024

Effective Treatment for Limerence: Overcome Obsessive Feelings

Struggling with obsessive romantic feelings? This article covers effective treatments for limerence, providing methods to regain emotional stability using proven techniques. Key Takeaways Limerence is an intense form of infatuation involving obsessive thoughts, emotional ups and downs based on perceived reciprocation, and significant impact on daily life and responsibilities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including techniques […]

Effective Strategies to Overcome Retroactive Jealousy
Jul 25, 2024

Effective Strategies to Overcome Retroactive Jealousy

Struggling with uncomfortable feelings about your partner’s past relationships? Retroactive jealousy is likely the culprit, casting a shadow over your present relationship. You’re not alone, and there are ways to move past these intrusive thoughts. This no-nonsense guide will walk you through understanding the causes of retroactive jealousy and provide you with practical tools to […]

Discover Altruistic Love Languages in Couple Counseling
Jul 25, 2024

Discover Altruistic Love Languages in Couple Counseling

Seeking ways to build a stronger, more fulfilling relationship? Altruistic love languages in couple counseling offer practical strategies to enhance emotional intimacy through selfless actions tailored to your partner’s needs. This article provides insights on incorporating these techniques to foster mutual respect and deeper connections in your relationship. Key Takeaways Understanding and practicing altruistic love […]

Building “I-Thou” Relationships Through Genuine Engagement
Jul 18, 2024

Building “I-Thou” Relationships Through Genuine Engagement

In a world where superficial contacts are commonplace, building “I-Thou” relationships through deep genuine engagement stands out as a beacon for authentic human connections. By swapping surface-level exchanges for meaningful interactions, we tap into empathy and recognition—the real cornerstones of strong relationships. This guide equips you with the knowledge to foster these profound connections, cutting […]

Establishing Healthy Relationship Boundaries
Jul 18, 2024

Establishing Healthy Relationship Boundaries

Relationship boundaries are key to healthy interactions. They define how we want to be treated and protect our well-being. This article covers why boundaries are important, how to set them, and tips for maintaining them. Key Takeaways Healthy relationship boundaries protect your mental, emotional, and physical well-being while promoting autonomy and preventing codependent behaviors. Different […]

Effective Therapy for Trust Issues: Techniques and Benefits
Jul 2, 2024

Effective Therapy for Trust Issues: Techniques and Benefits

Struggling to trust others can severely impact your relationships and emotional health. Therapy for trust issues helps you understand the root causes, provides tools to rebuild trust, and teaches you strategies for healthier connections. In this article, you’ll learn about different types of therapy and the benefits they offer. Key Takeaways Trust issues, often rooted […]

Exploring the Power of Agape Love
May 7, 2024

Exploring the Power of Agape Love

Agape love is often misunderstood as just another form of affection, yet it’s the epitome of selfless, unconditional love with transformative power in relationships and spiritual growth. This article uncovers the depth of agape love, distinguishing its self-sacrificial nature from other loves and showcasing its significance in shaping human connections and behavior in everyday life. […]

Phubbing: The Relationship Intruder
May 3, 2024

Phubbing: The Relationship Intruder

What is phubbing, and how is it changing the way we interact? This article tackles the uncomfortable truth of smartphone distraction during social moments, its ripple effect on our relationships, and practical strategies to combat this digital-age challenge. Key Takeaways Phubbing, the act of ignoring someone in favor of a smartphone, is a widespread behavior […]

Understanding the Stages of a Breakup
May 2, 2024

Understanding the Stages of a Breakup

Searching for the ‘stages of a breakup’ usually means you’re in the thick of it, seeking guidance on the emotional path ahead. This article demystifies each stage, without sugarcoating, providing you with the insights to navigate through the pain towards recovery. As you read on, expect to find a clear, empathetic outline of the breakup […]

How to Cope with Relationship Stress
May 1, 2024

How to Cope with Relationship Stress

Feeling overwhelmed by relationship stress and searching for a lifeline? You’re not alone. This guide on how to cope with relationship stress will arm you with effective strategies to cope with relationship stress, unpack the communication tools needed to address conflict, and identify the support both you and your partner need to thrive even in […]

Take Steps Toward Improving Your Relationship
Mar 2, 2024

Take Steps Toward Improving Your Relationship

Are you seeking practical ways to strengthen your bonds and take steps towards improving your relationships? Establishing deeper connections requires more than mere good intentions; it entails a series of focused, deliberate actions. A Guide to Deeper Connections This guide provides you with concrete strategies to cultivate healthier relationships through shared values, enhanced communication, quality […]

How to Develop Interdependence in Relationships
Nov 21, 2023

How to Develop Interdependence in Relationships

Creating an interdependent relationship is the key to creating a strong, lasting bond. This type of healthy and balanced partnership can help foster personal growth while encouraging deep emotional connection. To get started on this journey towards a happy union, it’s essential to understand what constitutes such relationships and how they function in order to […]

CBT Tips: How to Recognize and Avoid Situationships
Sep 17, 2023

CBT Tips: How to Recognize and Avoid Situationships

Have you ever found yourself hooking up with someone who seems really into you, but you weren’t sure if you were that into them? Then as the relationship progresses, suddenly you realize you’ve become somewhat attached to them. At first, you weren’t certain whether you were genuinely attracted or even liked them, but now you […]

Dating Beyond Your Type: Overcoming Schema and Attachment Chemistry
Sep 13, 2023

Dating Beyond Your Type: Overcoming Schema and Attachment Chemistry

When it comes to dating, we often find ourselves drawn to a specific “type” that aligns with our preconceived preferences. Sometimes, this type is something we’re consciously aware of, and it works for us. Sometimes, we consciously know it’s not working for us, but it’s still kind of exciting, so we keep doing it. And […]

The 5 Love Languages: Understanding and Expressing Love in Relationships
Aug 12, 2023

The 5 Love Languages: Understanding and Expressing Love in Relationships

Have you ever felt misunderstood in a relationship, as if you and your partner were speaking different languages? Enter the world of love languages, a concept developed by Dr. Gary Chapman that offers insight into how we express and receive love. The five love languages were developed by Dr. Gary Chapman PhD in 1992 when […]

Healing From Heartbreak: CBT Tips to Cope With A Breakup
Jun 13, 2023

Healing From Heartbreak: CBT Tips to Cope With A Breakup

Experiencing a breakup can be an incredibly challenging and painful time in our lives. The emotions that arise during this period can feel overwhelming, leaving us feeling lost and unsure of how to move forward. However, by integrating tools and techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Somatic […]

Practical Dating and Relationship Tips
May 24, 2020

Practical Dating and Relationship Tips

It can be difficult to find and sustain a satisfying romantic partnership in the current speedy and technological era. With the rise of online dating platforms and evolving social norms, it’s crucial to equip ourselves with practical strategies to navigate the dating landscape successfully. Effective Tips for Dating and Relationships Whether you’re single and looking […]

Bedtalks Podcast Interview: Practical Dating
May 21, 2020

Bedtalks Podcast Interview: Practical Dating

Listen to Dr. Abby Lev share 5 Dating Trends with Stay At Home Orders with Bedtalks Podcast Host and Relationship Expert Elizabeth Overstreet and her partner “K”. Let’s face it, dating can be a struggle. And this struggle can persist even for those of you in committed relationships. The pandemic hasn’t made it easier. But, […]

Community Matters Podcast Interview
Feb 27, 2019

Community Matters Podcast Interview

Dr. Lev describes how to create positive relationships Dr. Lev shares insight about interpersonal schemas and how they impact relationships. Click below to listen to full episode KZUM · Community Matters 4/24/17 – Abby Lev on positive relationships

Is Social Media Damaging our Relationships?
Sep 30, 2015

Is Social Media Damaging our Relationships?

The excitement you feel when your social media post is “liked,” or otherwise validated, is due to the release of dopamine in your brain, which is also released during sex or a delicious meal. Increasingly, our brains are becoming conditioned and rewired to associate this boost of happiness with our online behaviors like social media, […]

Take Steps Towards Improving Your Relationships with ACT Therapy
Jul 15, 2014

Take Steps Towards Improving Your Relationships with ACT Therapy

Build Healthier Ways of Relating to Yourself and Others