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Complicated Love

Conflicts, celebrations, estrangements, and reconnections with those you love.

Forgiveness
Living with Estrangement

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on February 25, 2021

You've reached out to your estranged loved one time and again and have been met with silence or rejection. What do you do now?

You've reached out to your estranged loved one time and again and have been met with silence or rejection. What do you do now?

Anger
When You Secretly Wish a Parent Would Die

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on January 25, 2021

It's a painful secret: There are times when you wish your suffering, insufferable, difficult, or distressed parent would die. What do you do with your sadness, anger, and guilt?

It's a painful secret: There are times when you wish your suffering, insufferable, difficult, or distressed parent would die. What do you do with your sadness, anger, and guilt?

Laughter
Laughing Between the Pain

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on December 28, 2020

After losing three members of my family suddenly in the same year, I thought I would never smile again. Then I got life-changing advice from an unexpected source.

After losing three members of my family suddenly in the same year, I thought I would never smile again. Then I got life-changing advice from an unexpected source.

Relationships
Love After Heartbreak

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on November 30, 2020

Before you say "never again" after a romantic heartbreak, consider these strategies for resolving past pain and taking the risk of loving again. Love can be wonderful this time.

Before you say "never again" after a romantic heartbreak, consider these strategies for resolving past pain and taking the risk of loving again. Love can be wonderful this time.

Friends
Living with Differences

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on October 27, 2020

Facing the 2020 election and the days beyond, how do you live with and continue to love the people in your life whose views are at odds with yours?

Facing the 2020 election and the days beyond, how do you live with and continue to love the people in your life whose views are at odds with yours?

Marriage
Just a Few Words of Advice

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on September 30, 2020

On the brink of marriage or commitment? Newly married and struggling? Listen to some advice from couples married for decades.

On the brink of marriage or commitment? Newly married and struggling? Listen to some advice from couples married for decades.

Friends
What New Parents Want Us to Know

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on August 25, 2020

How can grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends best show their love and support for new parents? Listen to what new parents have to say.

How can grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends best show their love and support for new parents? Listen to what new parents have to say.

Intelligence
Little Cruelties and Marital Unhappiness

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on July 28, 2020

What can make or break a relationship? Sometimes the small things, moments of cruelty or of kindness, can make a huge difference.

What can make or break a relationship? Sometimes the small things, moments of cruelty or of kindness, can make a huge difference.

Forgiveness
The Healing Power of Forgiveness

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on June 23, 2020

Bitterness is bad for your health, and forgiveness has benefits. Here are five ways to begin to let go and move on.

Bitterness is bad for your health, and forgiveness has benefits. Here are five ways to begin to let go and move on.

Marriage
Fighting Fair in Love and Marriage

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on May 26, 2020

Are you fighting more with your spouse but resolving fewer problems? Here are seven ways to handle marital conflicts and find new hope.

Are you fighting more with your spouse but resolving fewer problems? Here are seven ways to handle marital conflicts and find new hope.

Relationships
Making a Difference in Love

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on January 27, 2020

With each new year, many of us make major resolutions to improve our lives and relationships. It can be overwhelming.
Where to start? Take small steps.

With each new year, many of us make major resolutions to improve our lives and relationships. It can be overwhelming.
Where to start? Take small steps.

Relationships
Narcissists, Bullies, and Dance-Away Lovers

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on December 30, 2019

Are you repeatedly unlucky in love with a woeful pattern of bad relationships? Here are tips to break this losing streak and find healthy, satisfying love at last.

Are you repeatedly unlucky in love with a woeful pattern of bad relationships? Here are tips to break this losing streak and find healthy, satisfying love at last.

Relationships
Lopsided Love

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on November 25, 2019

Are you in love, but the other person isn't? Do you give and give, getting little in return? Is there hope or not? What can you do about lopsided love?

Are you in love, but the other person isn't? Do you give and give, getting little in return? Is there hope or not? What can you do about lopsided love?

Marriage
Stay or Go?

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on October 30, 2019

Trying to decide whether to stay or whether to leave your relationship? Here are some reasons for staying and signs that it's time to go.

Trying to decide whether to stay or whether to leave your relationship? Here are some reasons for staying and signs that it's time to go.

Relationships
Virtual Caring vs. Natural Kindness

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on September 23, 2019

Do you really need a new app to remind you to be kind and thoughtful to those you love most? Here are five ways to enhance your relationships right now—on your own!

Do you really need a new app to remind you to be kind and thoughtful to those you love most? Here are five ways to enhance your relationships right now—on your own!

Loneliness
So Lonely Together

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on August 26, 2019

Are you lonely in your relationship? Here's how to begin to reconnect and reclaim your love and intimacy.

Are you lonely in your relationship? Here's how to begin to reconnect and reclaim your love and intimacy.

Sexual Orientation
When Your Child Opens the Closet Door

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on July 26, 2019

Your adolescent or young adult child has just come out. Whatever your feelings about the news, what you say and do next can be relationship enhancing, even life-saving.

Your adolescent or young adult child has just come out. Whatever your feelings about the news, what you say and do next can be relationship enhancing, even life-saving.