I counsel a lot of teenagers and young adults who suffer from low self-confidence. One thing that sometimes happens is they find themselves staying in relationships that aren’t working because they allow their self-worth to be dictated by being in a relationship, or by being valued by their friends, rather than valuing themselves independently for […]
At the end of the day, when everything goes quiet, a simple question arises: Was today meaningful? Not just busy or productive—but meaningful. For men struggling to find direction, this question can be a wake-up call. One of the most powerful ways to start living intentionally is to reflect on your actions from the perspective of looking […]
Marriage can sometimes fall into routines. Life gets busy, responsibilities pile up, and before you know it, the spark that once came so easily may feel dimmed. If you’re wondering how to get back the wife you married, one simple but powerful answer lies in being pleasantly unpredictable. Surprises, playfulness, and a little flirtation can go […]
The relationship between narcissists and agreeable personality type is an important topic in psychology and relationships. People who score high in agreeableness, one of the Big Five personality traits, are usually kind, cooperative, and empathetic. They value peace, fairness, and emotional connection. These qualities make agreeable people wonderful friends, partners, and coworkers. However, they can also make them more […]
Improving sleep patterns is a great way to improve your daily functioning, confidence, and self discipline. These traits can then help you make other gains in your life. Sleep is a building block of good mental health
The Power of “Yet”
The video below is a helpful reminder of using the word “yet” to change your communication for the better. I use it a lot in my counseling practice. For example, “what will be happening in a couple of weeks that isn’t happening yet, that will make a difference for you. It takes it from a […]
Are You Dating a Narcissist?
This Youtube video goes over the common traits a Narcissist, Borderline Personality Disorder, and other types of personality disordered people look for in a partner. Are you one of them? She also goes over what to do about it. In my Grand Rapids, MI practice, I work with lots of men who are navigating the […]
We all have habits that we wish we could eliminate—whether it’s mindlessly scrolling through social media, snacking late at night, or procrastinating on important tasks. At the core of these behaviors lies a powerful mechanism known as the habit loop, which is composed of three key components: cue, routine, and reward. To effectively break free […]
Healthy relationships require more than just love—they need respect, healthy boundaries, and mutual understanding. Sometimes, seemingly small behaviors, like interrupting, publicly correcting, or speaking over a partner, may signal early signs of disrespect. If left unaddressed, these behaviors can erode trust, breed resentment, and harm a relationship over time. Here’s why these actions matter and […]
I listened to a podcast this morning about being needed. It described how people who don’t feel useful often get depressed. This can even lead to suicide or early death for some. For example, when men retire and don’t have enough to do, they often lose their sense of purpose. Their health sometimes suffers as […]
Building Kids’ Confidence
Here’s a snippet of advice about helping in building kids’ confidence. Although Nick, in this video, is talking about sons, the advice is also true for daughters. Let kids help you do things that are worth doing; things they consider adult tasks. Then either teach them or trust them to figure it out themselves. But, […]