Your Emotional Meter

Relationships

The Foundation of Healthy Relationships

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on September 5, 2024

Trust, honesty, respect, open communication, effort, and collaboration are ideal for any relationship, but the journey toward healthier connections begins within ourselves.

Trust, honesty, respect, open communication, effort, and collaboration are ideal for any relationship, but the journey toward healthier connections begins within ourselves.

People-Pleasing

The Complexity of People-Pleasing

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on August 21, 2024

People-pleasing often arises to manage anxiety about others' reactions or disapproval. It involves altering one's inner world to align with what might soothe a situation.

People-pleasing often arises to manage anxiety about others' reactions or disapproval. It involves altering one's inner world to align with what might soothe a situation.

Fear

Understanding the Roots of Intolerance

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on August 13, 2024

We can create a more compassionate and unified society by developing empathy, promoting education, and embracing our diverse identities with pride.

We can create a more compassionate and unified society by developing empathy, promoting education, and embracing our diverse identities with pride.

People-Pleasing

Breaking the Pattern of the Need to Please

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on August 6, 2024

Don't be afraid to say “no” when necessary, stand up for yourself, and prioritize your needs.

Don't be afraid to say “no” when necessary, stand up for yourself, and prioritize your needs.

Relationships

Defining Yourself: The Importance of Relationships

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on July 29, 2024

Defining yourself starts with internal learning—getting to know your own thoughts, values, and ideals—then integrating what you've learned by acting in ways that align with it.

Defining yourself starts with internal learning—getting to know your own thoughts, values, and ideals—then integrating what you've learned by acting in ways that align with it.

Relationships

Repairing Family Patterns in Romantic Relationships

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on July 17, 2024

The transformative power of Bowen family systems theory: How to repair, instead of repeat, family relationship patterns.

The transformative power of Bowen family systems theory: How to repair, instead of repeat, family relationship patterns.

Motivation

Embracing the Slow Journey of Real Change

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on July 11, 2024

Embracing the journey of change requires a willingness to make mistakes, learn, and move forward, knowing that each small change contributes to a more significant shift.

Embracing the journey of change requires a willingness to make mistakes, learn, and move forward, knowing that each small change contributes to a more significant shift.

Reaction Formation

Understanding Emotional Overreactions

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on July 2, 2024

By incorporating Bowen family systems theory insights, we can better understand the complexities behind emotional overreactions.

By incorporating Bowen family systems theory insights, we can better understand the complexities behind emotional overreactions.

Relationships

How to Navigate Unsolicited Advice

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on June 24, 2024

6 strategies for dealing with opinionated individuals offering unwanted advice.

6 strategies for dealing with opinionated individuals offering unwanted advice.

Relationships

Harmonizing Family Relationships Post-Baby Arrival

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on June 18, 2024

Navigating relationships with in-laws after the arrival of a baby requires patience, empathy, and continuing to establish boundaries that safeguard your family's values.

Navigating relationships with in-laws after the arrival of a baby requires patience, empathy, and continuing to establish boundaries that safeguard your family's values.

Compulsive Behaviors

Managing Chronic Complainers

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on June 10, 2024

Over time, individuals who constantly complain become "addicted" to negativity, attracting more drama and dissatisfaction into their lives.

Over time, individuals who constantly complain become "addicted" to negativity, attracting more drama and dissatisfaction into their lives.

Personal Perspectives

The Power of Perspective

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on June 3, 2024

Understanding the power of perspective is essential for creating a fulfilling and resilient mindset.

Understanding the power of perspective is essential for creating a fulfilling and resilient mindset.

Family Dynamics

Nurturing Healthy Sibling Relationships in Adulthood

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on May 28, 2024

Maintaining or rebuilding sibling relationships in adulthood can be riddled with challenges rooted in shared history, individual growth trajectories, and evolving priorities.

Maintaining or rebuilding sibling relationships in adulthood can be riddled with challenges rooted in shared history, individual growth trajectories, and evolving priorities.

Resilience

Striking a Balance Between Nurturing and Navigating Kids

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on May 21, 2024

Research has shown that children who develop resilience are more likely to possess positive, adaptive traits such as perseverance, self-esteem, and empathy.

Research has shown that children who develop resilience are more likely to possess positive, adaptive traits such as perseverance, self-esteem, and empathy.

Authenticity

When Our Inner World Conflicts With Our Actions

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on May 13, 2024

While the gap between our inner emotions and actions may be common, it doesn't have to define who we are.

While the gap between our inner emotions and actions may be common, it doesn't have to define who we are.

Evolutionary Psychology

Navigating Our Primal Reactions

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on May 6, 2024

In today's digital age, where anonymity can exacerbate divisions, making a conscious effort to connect authentically is more crucial than ever.

In today's digital age, where anonymity can exacerbate divisions, making a conscious effort to connect authentically is more crucial than ever.

Family Dynamics

From Fusion to Freedom

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on April 29, 2024

Achieving emotional independence doesn't equate to emotional isolation. You can still partake in family traditions, share collective joy and sorrow, and seek and offer support.

Achieving emotional independence doesn't equate to emotional isolation. You can still partake in family traditions, share collective joy and sorrow, and seek and offer support.

Anxiety

Coping With Chronic Anxiety in a Family

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on April 22, 2024

Coping with chronic anxiety in family systems requires a concerted effort.

Coping with chronic anxiety in family systems requires a concerted effort.

Family Dynamics

Family Relationship Patterns

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on April 15, 2024

The multigenerational transmission process teaches us that while our family history influences who we are, we hold the power to create new patterns for future generations.

The multigenerational transmission process teaches us that while our family history influences who we are, we hold the power to create new patterns for future generations.

Happiness

The Role of Individual Growth in Marital Happiness

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on April 8, 2024

Encouraging individual growth in marriage doesn't dilute the essence of togetherness; it enriches it.

Encouraging individual growth in marriage doesn't dilute the essence of togetherness; it enriches it.