Gary Brown

Navigate Valentine’s Day With Ease

February 12, 2019 by Dr. Gary Brown

I may be dating myself a bit, but raise your hand if you remember the song, Love is a Many Splendored Thing? Anyone? It was from the 1955 movie of the same title and written by Paul Francis Webster, music by Sammy Fain. It’s been covered by tons of people – from Nat King Cole to Frank Sinatra to Jeff Lynne as recently as 2012. It’s a ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Dating, Individuals Tagged With: couples, couples counseling, dating, Dr. Gary Brown, DrGaryLATherapist, how to get through valentines day, individual therapy, Los Angeles therapist, love, marriage, navigating valentines day, relationship therapy, relationships, sad love quotes, single on valentines day, valentines day, valentines day for singles

Three Phases of Romantic Love

February 5, 2019 by Dr. Gary Brown

People often ask in one way or another, “Should love change over time?” My response is always, “I certainly hope so!” Why do I say this? It’s fairly simple. I see far too many couples who settle for so much less in their love life. They may have initially fallen in love but after a while, it doesn’t seem to progress much beyond that. People ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Relationships Tagged With: couples, dating, Dr. Gary Brown, DrGaryLATherapist, individual therapy, Los Angeles therapist, love, marriage, mature love, relationship therapy, relationships, romantic love

Can It Be? Is Love at First Sight Real?

January 29, 2019 by Dr. Gary Brown

It seems like such a wonderfully romantic notion. And it absolutely can be. An accidental encounter. Seeing someone from across the room and immediately feeling the electric connection. Just reading this sounds like a scene out of the latest romcom or Netflix release. You may have even daydreamed the possibility of it happening to ...read more

Filed Under: Couples Tagged With: attraction, couples counseling, dating, Dr. Gary Brown, DrGaryLATherapist, individual therapy, Los Angeles therapist, love, love at first sight, relationship therapy, relationships

Ways to Practice Gratitude to Increase Your Happiness

January 22, 2019 by Dr. Gary Brown

It’s the beginning of the new year. So many of us are looking forward to fulfilling our wishes, hopes, and dreams for 2019. I certainly am! I also like to begin each year by counting my current blessings. Appreciating what I already have always seems like a nice way to start each year…and every morning when I wake up, for that ...read more

Filed Under: General counseling Tagged With: appreciation, depression, gratitude, how to show gratitude, mood, relationships, thankful, well-being, why show gratitude

Is It Too Soon to Know If I’m in Love?

January 15, 2019 by Dr. Gary Brown

Have you ever wondered how long it takes to fall in love? I was recently interviewed by Elite Daily on this topic. It’s particularly important if you’re starting to get feels pretty early in a relationship, you’ll definitely want to read up about the right time for you to share those feelings with your partner. I have worked with hundreds of ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Dating Tagged With: dating, Elite Daily, falling in love, love, relationships

Why Your Texting Style Matters in Relationships

December 18, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

It’s amazing how much time we spend on our personal glowing rectangle devices, otherwise known as our phones. Sometimes, I don’t know what we did without them! Can you even get to an unfamiliar place without the use of your phone? Obviously, the main reason we use our phones is for communication and most of that time is spent texting our ...read more

Filed Under: Dating Tagged With: dating, Dr. Gary Brown, DrGaryLATherapist, individual therapy, Los Angeles therapist, relationship therapy, relationships, texting

You Don’t Have to Go Home for the Holidays: How to Keep Your Sanity in Check When You Come from a Toxic Family

December 11, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

You may cringe every time you hear Andy Williams sing the classic, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” You’re not a Grinch if you feel this way. You just may be dreading going home for the holidays. If you come from a toxic or abusive family, the feeling of obligation to spend time with them over the holidays can be enough to ...read more

Filed Under: Individuals Tagged With: anxiety, coping, coping with the holidays, family, holidays, home for the holidays, self care, stress, toxic relationship

Do You Text Your SO Too Much?

December 4, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

When digital dating happens with a swipe, one can easily rely on texting as a relational crutch. But how do you know if your level of texting with your loved one is healthy or potentially crossing over the digital divide? I was recently interviewed by Elite Daily about warning signs that may be applicable to the way texting plays out ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Dating Tagged With: anxiety, dating, healthy behavior, relationships, texting

Coping with the Holiday Season When You’re Feeling Down

November 27, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

Holiday parties every weekend, traveling long distances, preparing for Thanksgiving. Christmas lists from the kids to Santa, Hanukkah presents for eight nights, extra time with extended family. Colder, winter weather (well, as cold as it can get in Southern California!) and endless sweet treats when we’re trying to follow a healthier eating ...read more

Filed Under: Individuals Tagged With: anxiety, break up, Christmas, coping, depression, divorce, grieving, Hanukkah, holidays, loss, sad, seasonal affect disorder, Thanksgiving

Why We Need Vulnerability in Relationships

November 20, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

In relationships, we talk about taking them to another level. Maybe it’s the first time you say those three special words, maybe it’s when you take your loved one to meet the parents over the holidays or maybe it’s moving in together. No matter what phase of your relationship you’re in, you can always take it to another level of depth and ...read more

Filed Under: Couples Tagged With: counseling, couples counseling, intimacy, move slowly, relationships, tough conversations, trust, vulnerability

Is It Time to Invite Your SO Home for the Holidays?

November 13, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

The holidays are upon us and you may be wondering if you should bring your boyfriend or girlfriend home for the holidays. This is one of those major milestones in a relationship, so there is a lot to consider. Elite Daily recently interviewed me about Should You Bring Your SO Home for Thanksgiving? 4 Signs You're Ready. So, if you’re thinking you ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Dating Tagged With: couples, dating, Elite Daily, holidays, meet family, meet parents, relationship

How to Decide If It’s Time to Move In Together

November 6, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

Sara (not her real name) came in for her appointment a while ago and I could tell something, other than the usual, was on her mind. She has been seeing her boyfriend for a little over a year. She’s 24 and he is 27 (not their actual ages). Sara’s been thinking about the future lately and believes she is ready for things to go to the next ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Dating, Relationships Tagged With: commitment, compromise, cons of living together, living together, pros of living together, relationship, should we live together, should you live together, what are the pros and cons to living together

12 Signs That You May Not Be Ready for a Serious Relationship…and That’s Okay

October 30, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

A good relationship can be hard to find. And it’s okay to be picky or not ready. And maybe online dating isn’t your scene. While your mom or your well-intended friends keep trying to set you up, maybe you’re just not ready for a serious relationship. Or maybe the idea of settling down is scary or just unappealing right now. And that’s ...read more

Filed Under: Dating, Individuals Tagged With: commitment, dating, pressure, relationships, single, the one

Six Signs Your Relationship Probably Can’t Be Fixed

October 23, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

Being in a relationship – even the best of relationships – will always have some challenges. That’s completely normal. I’m a pretty optimistic guy, and, for the most part, believe that too many relationships end for the wrong reasons. I have found that, with some work and increased self-awareness, many couples can overcome enough of ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Dating Tagged With: couples counseling, divorce, fighting, love, marriage, relationship, relationship therapy

How to Build Trust and Loyalty in Relationships

October 16, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

If you find yourself an untrusting soul in relationships because you have a trail of broken hearts (or maybe just a really good one that has left you scarred), you may be unsure about how to create a sense of safety and loyalty in your relationship. I was recently interviewed for an article on Bustle about this very topic. There are a ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Dating Tagged With: couples counseling, dating, love, loyalty, relationship counseling, relationships, trust