AMA TOPIC: How to Build Healthy Relationships 1. What are Repair Attempts ? Repair attempts are any effort to reduce tension and reconnect  during or after conflict. They can be verbal or nonverbal and don’t need to be perfect — they just need to be a sincere gesture toward connection. Examples of repair attempts: “Can we pause for a second?” “That came out harsher than I meant.” Humor, soft eye contact, a hand on the arm “Can we set some time aside to spend time together soon?” A warm hug...

In recent years, artificial intelligence has begun stepping into the world of mental health. Apps, chatbots, and virtual “therapists” now offer instant access to coping tools, guided meditations, and even simulated conversations meant to mirror therapy. For many people, this can feel revolutionary — immediate support, no scheduling conflicts, no judgment, no stigma. And yet, as a therapist, I find myself deeply unsettled. We are now facing the sobering reality that at least one person...

On Sept 8, 2025, I lost my feline best friend. I have wanted to write about the experience, and what he was to me, but I couldn’t before...