Jennifer Kromberg PsyD

Behaviors you want to change are part of a system or pattern you know and trust. Somehow, this behavior has helped you. Now it hurts. And you’re stuck. Here's how to change.

Do You and Your Partner Fight Fair?

Some degree of fighting in a relationship is not only inevitable, but also necessary to create growth. The problem for couples is not that they fight—it’s how they fight.

Some degree of fighting in a relationship is not only inevitable, but also necessary to create growth. The problem for couples is not that they fight—it’s how they fight.

Relationship Red Flags: What to Look For Early On

While in the early stages of a budding romance, we are all at our best. Staying keen to these red flags now can help you avoid hurt in the future.

While in the early stages of a budding romance, we are all at our best. Staying keen to these red flags now can help you avoid hurt in the future.

Do You Choose Your Role, or Does it Choose You?

Are you the superhero, caretaker, or scapegoat? No matter how you define your family, and whether you mean to or not, you play a role in it.

Are you the superhero, caretaker, or scapegoat? No matter how you define your family, and whether you mean to or not, you play a role in it.

How Realistic Are Your Relationship Expectations?

When you were young, you depended on your caregivers for the sense of being loved, and you learned from your caregivers how to process your feelings. When there are vital things missing from the parenting we received, we tend to look to our romantic partners to make up these losses.

When you were young, you depended on your caregivers for the sense of being loved, and you learned from your caregivers how to process your feelings. When there are vital things missing from the parenting we received, we tend to look to our romantic partners to make up these losses.

How Your Mom Shapes Your Current Romantic Relationships

"As I stood on the deck alone, I could hear all the music and laughter from the adults below. The feeling of sadness started to become so intense that I started to get scared. When this happened I immediately ran back down to the party and tried to tell my mom what I had just experienced. She told me I was being negative and said not to think about things like that."

"As I stood on the deck alone, I could hear all the music and laughter from the adults below. The feeling of sadness started to become so intense that I started to get scared. When this happened I immediately ran back down to the party and tried to tell my mom what I had just experienced. She told me I was being negative and said not to think about things like that."

How Dads Shape Daughters’ Relationships: Part 2

What partners do you pick? Do you choose partners who are cold and distant? Angry and difficult? Refuse to grow up? Unfaithful? Now take your understanding one step further. Instead of just noticing patterns in the partners you choose, look for patterns in the ways your relationships unfold.

What partners do you pick? Do you choose partners who are cold and distant? Angry and difficult? Refuse to grow up? Unfaithful? Now take your understanding one step further. Instead of just noticing patterns in the partners you choose, look for patterns in the ways your relationships unfold.

Our everyday surroundings as infants shape our later perceptions of normalcy.

Seduction is a Game Played in Turns

The first gestures of flirtation are communicated so subtly, it's easy to deny them without penalty if one sees the flirtation isn't reciprocated. It's a game played in turns: Only if you return these hints, consciously or unconsciously, can the game of flirtation continue.

The first gestures of flirtation are communicated so subtly, it's easy to deny them without penalty if one sees the flirtation isn't reciprocated. It's a game played in turns: Only if you return these hints, consciously or unconsciously, can the game of flirtation continue.

Attention Trap Part 3: Attention to Failure Nixes Success

So strongly do we believe life is supposed to be elegant that if we are hurt or frustrated or disappointed, we think it must be someone's fault – our partner, our co-workers, ourselves, or even God or the universe must be to blame!

So strongly do we believe life is supposed to be elegant that if we are hurt or frustrated or disappointed, we think it must be someone's fault – our partner, our co-workers, ourselves, or even God or the universe must be to blame!