Many believe that pornography use is a sex addiction. I have heard many clients (usually male) tell their partners that if they would just have more sex with them that they wouldn’t use pornography. These clients seem to believe that pornography is a sex issue. It’s not, however. It’s an avoidance issue. Let’s talk about…

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If you want to learn how to be emotionally healthy, you need to learn about the difference between secondary and primary emotions. In a past article you learned about the importance of recognizing, feeling and coping with your emotions (Related Article: Emotions 101: How To Be Healthy). Learning the difference between a primary emotion and…

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Family therapy with adolescents in Utah often involves two key developmental principles. First, parents have to change their parenting style to match the stage their child is in. Second, adolescents need to learn how to become their own person and still remain a part of a group like their family. These principles are outlined in…

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What can you do before you go to counseling? There is plenty to start with. Counseling for anxiety or depression in Utah is becoming more accepted, even though there are still stigmas attached to it (Related Article: Stigmas – Counseling For Mental Health Problems In Utah). Many people are finding help for their mental health…

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What is the difference between sadness and depression? This is a question clients often ask me as a therapist in Utah County. Most clients I work with have a hard time admitting that they have depression and want to call it just sadness (Related Article: Depression Counseling). There seems to be a negative stigma with…

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After offering pornography counseling in Utah for years, I have learned many things about this huge relationship problem. Clients are all different, but they have some common things among them. Let’s talk about what most people who use pornography have in common. You can also check out groups like Fight The New Drug who have…

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Let’s talk about how to hold emotional space for your spouse. If you want to get closer to your spouse and create more emotional intimacy in your relationship (Related Article: Emotional Intimacy: What It Is And How To Get It), you will want to learn this skill. This is also part of creating crucial emotional…

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Relationship problems often come in the form of money. As discussed in other articles, money, sex (Related Article: Relationship Problems – Sex) and in-laws (Related Article: Relationship Problems – In-Laws) are potential issues for premarital and newlywed couples (referencing John Gottman’s work).    Let’s talk about how money can be an issue for married couples…

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Relationship problems come in all shapes and sizes. John Gottman has emphasized that there are three problems that marriages even newlyweds face: money (Related Article: Relationship Problems – Money), sex and in-laws (Related Article: Relationship Problems – In-Laws). As a Utah marriage counselor for nearly two decades, I have seen these issues again and again.…

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Are your behaviors coping or avoiding your emotions? There is a big difference, and if you know it, you can be more healthy. I’m often asked, as a marriage counselor, for a list of things clients can do to cope well. I have to tell them that I don’t have one because here’s the thing…

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