One partner wants to talk—now. The other feels overwhelmed, flooded, or unable to find words.
What often follows is a couple’s typical cycle: one partner pursues connection while the other retreats. This is known as the pursue-withdraw cycle, and it often ends with both partners feeling misunderstood, frustrated, and lonely.

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself what you value in life?  Values are what we deem as personally significant. I like to think about values as toppings on a pizza, for example. Some of us may value pepperoni and cheese, while others may value mushrooms and peppers. The combination of our values is key. Let’s dive a bit deeper…

Alicia Steinmetz, MA, NCC brings a grounded, relational presence to her work as a therapist at A Better Life. Learn more about Alicia in and out of the office through this interview with Elizabeth Earnshaw.

Julia Cash, MFT is a therapist in our Main Line office in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. She works with adult individuals, couples, families, and adolescents, and specializes in sexual and relational trauma. Through this work she helps people process and navigate wounds from childhood related to family and attachment, their sexual relationships, identity development, anxiety, and grief and loss. Read more about Julia in her interview with Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT

A common theme that clients express is a feeling of inadequacy when sticking to a routine or having discipline. The word discipline can be heavy- from what I have learned in my experience with client’s, discipline can be culturally defined as strict, unforgiving, and punishing.

The holiday season is often described as joyful—but for many people, it’s also a time of overwhelm, over stimulation, and emotional pressure.

We all know that feeling once the clocks turn back, thankful for the extra hour of sleep, but suddenly it’s dark before most of us even leave work! The crisp fall breeze quickly turns into what feels like the arctic tundra, and with that shift many of us notice changes in our mood, energy, and motivation.

Communication is one of the pillars of a relationship, and the way we communicate can either bring us closer together or push us apart. When it comes to conflict, it is inevitable in any relationship. However, what separates the ‘relationship masters’ from the ‘relationship disasters’ is the way in which they manage it. 

Sexual fulfillment plays a vital role in enhancing relationships by fostering warmth, emotional intimacy, and desire. Sometimes, one or both partners may experience reduced sexual satisfaction or a lack of desire, which can impact their connection.

At some point, many of us feel uncertain or stuck in our careers. Maybe you're questioning your current path, or unsure of where to even start.

Have you ever found yourself in an argument where your partner suddenly goes quiet, avoids eye contact, or leaves the room? Or maybe you’re the one who feels overwhelmed and senses yourself shutting down. This is called emotional withdrawal, and it’s one of the most common patterns we see in relationships.

We tend to think of grief as black and white. Someone sadly passes away, and those who loved them mourn their loss. Though, there are other kinds of grief that live in the grey of the losses we don’t always recognize as such.

According to Dr. John Gottman, a renowned couples therapist, there are four behaviors that have been identified that can predict break-up and divorce. These four behaviors are named the “four horsemen” and include contempt, criticism, defensiveness, and stone-walling.

Have you ever taken a trip with friends only to realize your travel styles don’t quite match up? A recent article for EliteDaily explored the ups and downs of girls’ trips, from photo-ops to money stress to mismatched energy,  and how honest conversations can make or break the experience.