By Taylor Cnudde, Graduate Intern This is part 2 of a two part series on Desire and Passion. You can find part one here. There are many widely held and shame driven beliefs about having low sexual desires. If one partner desires sex and the other doesn’t, it can be very frustrating for a couple and can often lead to feelings of embarrassment, guilt, blame, and distance or conflict between partners. However,it’s important to look at all the factors that may be contributing to

Valentine's day is just around the corner and many couples are feeling the pressure fueled by Cosmo and the romance industry to “spice things up” with their significant other. It’s possible that if you’re in a long term relationship you will spend some time looking back on your first days spent together longing for the passion and intimacy you once shared. Entering into a long term relationship doesn’t mean your hottest days are behind you, but it just might take a little mor

Part 3: Finding Support for Caregivers and Families of People with Dementia **This is part 3 in a three part blog on mental health and aging. Click here for parts one and two.** Many of the topics that the person with dementia needs to process are also topics that their family needs to contemplate, too. The family’s role changes as the illness becomes more severe. At the onset, role shifts typically are pressing; later though practical concerns become the focus. This is the

**This is part two in a three part blog series on Mental Health and aging. To read part one, click here.** Part 2: The Effectiveness of Counseling for People with Dementia While most of the research and service on the topic has focused on giving the caregiver support, there are benefits of counseling for those with dementia or cognitive decline. In the past, persons with Alzheimer’s disease were perceived as unable to benefit from intensive therapy (Davies et. al., 1998, pg

**This is Part 3 of Parenting with Intention; a 3 part-blog series by Aika Erlandson, LMFT-Associate at Austin STRONG: Relationship Building Center** Sometimes, parenting can be a stressful experience. When stress takes over the parenting, your child(ren) are paying very close attention and learning from your behaviors. Children look to their parents for support and modeling in figuring out how to manage emotions, especially when they feel distressed. As a parent, you may not

**This is Part 2 of Parenting with Intention; a 3 part-blog series by Aika Erlandson, LMFT-Associate at Austin STRONG: Relationship Building Center** Tips for Acknowledging your Child’s Emotions As your child learns to walk and talk, they will experience more of life, which also means an increased opportunity to feel more emotions. What your child needs the most from you is to help them figure out what emotions they are experiencing, why they are feeling the way they do, and

What Happens to Our Identities When We Are Expecting A Baby? When do we “feel” like adults? This question seems to hang over the heads of most individuals. Passing legally defined age markers, gaining the right to vote, or turning twenty-one seems to do little to solidify one’s feeling on fully embodying what it is to be a grown up. According to researchers studying human development, the path to adulthood is bound to five central markers: Finishing school, leaving home, acqu

Throughout our lives there will be times when the person we love and care about is going through a difficult time. Maybe they are having a rough day, have an illness, have had something distressing happen, or are simply feeling overwhelmed at the moment. What can you do when you see your partner in distress? What may immediately come to mind is that helping your partner in difficult moments is the key. True; and this might seem kind of like a given, I mean you love your part

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." -William Arthur Ward Sometimes in a long-term relationship, we fall into a routine of “normal”. She makes the coffee in the morning, he makes the bed, She makes the kids’ lunches, he picks them up from school, she cooks the dinner, he helps with homework, she pays the bills, he does the dishes and round and round we go. This is how we get th

Does the beginning of a relationship mean the death of your independence? For some people, the answer may not be as clear cut as you may think. A reason for this may be found in part by the examples of “commitment” as portrayed on TV, social media, or popular culture. There are many stereotypes regarding what a committed relationship looks like. Some of them can be very positive; however, there is one in particular that can be discouraging, and that is the overly intertwined