Two important Town Hall Meetings concerning CAMFT and marriage equality are happening on August 21st in Berkeley and on August 23rd in San Francisco. All therapists are invited. CAMFT, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, in a recent discussion of marriage equality in its magazine, published non-scientific articles that perpetuated derogatory stereotypes of LGBTQQ people. These meetings will address their response to the membership and their stance on marriage equality as an ethical and professional issue.

The New York Times published an article today on the mysterious connection between our sense of self and our physical brain, referencing stories and research from traumatic brain injury cases. The sense of self is an area that psychotherapy has been investigating for some time, and it’s fascinating to see how brain science approaches this material.

Weddings can be playful, fun and meaningful — in addition to the all the requisite stress and planning. When I see couples for premarriage counseling, I always like to find out about their own unique “magic” — what makes their relationship special — and help couples incorporate this into the planning. Here are a few wedding videos that totally illustrate the playful concept.

Vicki Santillano, a writer at DivineCaroline, an online magazine for women, called to ask for my thoughts on a recent study about relationships and obesity. She was kind enough to include my comments in her article, “Do Women Gain More Weight in Relationships?”

Relationships can be a source of joy and pleasure, and at times, they can be a source of confusion and misunderstanding. One of the keys to developing a flexible and flourishing relationship is making a commitment to practice heart-centered communication with a willing partner. Here’s a tip on how it works.

I recently heard about Sarah’s Smash Shack, a place in San Diego where you can go to smash stuff — plates, glasses, vases and other such breakables — in the shack’s very own “Break Rooms.” They’ll outfit you in protective gear, play the music of your choice and give you the chance to “let go of your inhibitions and let some steam off.” A brilliant idea.

Welcome to my blog. I look forward to posting articles, sharing tips, and writing about subjects related to psychology and therapy. Feel free to visit often and subscribe if you’d like to keep reading.