couples counseling Archives

How to Relieve Valentine’s Day Pressure

February 7, 2020 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 classic. And ...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

The Core Foundations of Real Love and True Intimacy – Part 6: Gratitude

March 19, 2019 by Dr. Gary Brown

We’ve talked about several of the core foundations of love and intimacy, that I have outlined in this series: vulnerability, trust, courage, self-awareness, and kindness. However, one more remains to complete the solid foundation for the basis upon which we can expand our ability to experience the many benefits of being in a loving ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Foundations of Love, Relationships Tagged With: couples counseling, intimacy, love, marital therapy, marriage, premarital counseling, relationships

The Core Foundations of Real Love and True Intimacy – Part 2: Trust

March 5, 2019 by Dr. Gary Brown

There are those moments in every relationship when you may be looking into your partner’s eyes and wondering if you can trust them with your inner world. The ability to trust ourselves and our partner is the true cornerstone - and most important pillar - upon which to build a foundation of love and intimacy. The ability to experience trust in ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Foundations of Love, Relationships Tagged With: counseling, couples counseling, couples therapy, intimacy, love, marriage, marriage counseling, relationships, trust

The Core Foundations of Real Love and True Intimacy – Part 1: Vulnerability

March 2, 2019 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, Foundations of Love, Relationships Tagged With: core foundations, counseling, couples counseling, intimacy, love, move slowly, relationships, tough conversations, trust, vulnerability

The Core Foundations of Real Love and True Intimacy – A Six Part Series: Introduction

February 26, 2019 by Dr. Gary Brown

Having been in private practice for over 25 years, I have met hundreds and hundreds of individuals and couples who are struggling in their relationships…or lack thereof. Their challenges are many and as diverse as the people I work with. Each person and situation is unique. Having said that, I have learned – and, really, my clients ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Foundations of Love, Relationships Tagged With: couples counseling, courage, gratitude, intimacy, kindness, love, marriage, marriage counseling, relationships, self-awareness, therapist, trust, vulnerability

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

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

Postpartum Anxiety: What It Is and Tips to Help You Cope

October 2, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

I frequently receive referrals of clients from pediatricians and OBGYN's. One of the most common reasons is that their patient has reported feeling somewhat depressed and/or anxious, post-delivery. Most everyone is familiar with postpartum depression. However, we don’t often hear about postpartum anxiety, which is a condition that can lead to ...read more

Filed Under: Family, Parenting Tagged With: anxiety, baby, couples counseling, Dr. Gary Brown, DrGaryLATherapist, family, family counseling, individual therapy, infant, Los Angeles therapist, mental health, new family, new mom, parenting, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, relationship therapy, stress

3 Common Relationship Fears and How to Move Beyond Them

September 11, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

We all have fears in our relationships. It’s absolutely normal. I was recently interviewed by Elite Daily about what are the most common fears and how to best address them proactively with your partner. If you are in a relationship where fears are starting to get in the way of your togetherness or you simply need some relationship advice and ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Relationships Tagged With: couples, couples counseling, fear, insecurity, marriage counseling, relationship advice, relationships, troubled marriage

9 Tips for Texting and Dating

June 19, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

Texting is a part of modern life and it’s particularly important when dating. It’s not uncommon these days for some budding relationships to spend hours on the phone having full-blown conversations via text. However, when a relationship is starting to flower things can get lost in text translation. So, there may be some texting etiquette to keep ...read more

Filed Under: Dating Tagged With: couples counseling, couples therapy, dating, finding a boyfriend, finding a girlfriend, ghosting, love, relationships, sexting, texting

Give Your Relationship a Fighting Chance: 23 Tips to Fight Fair and Effectively

May 1, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

It goes without saying that even in the best of relationships, that there are going to be the inevitable conflicts. This is perfectly normal and natural. Sometimes our disagreements with each other can escalate into arguments, and we experience intense hurt, scared, and angry thoughts and emotions. When discussions turn into full-on ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Relationships Tagged With: abuse, arguing, communication, conflict, couples, couples counseling, domestic abuse, Dr. Gary Brown, fight fair, fighting, individual therapy, Los Angeles therapist, marriage, relationship therapy, relationships

Navigating Fertility: 9 Practical Tips to Help You Cope

April 24, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

Navigating the emotional issues that naturally occur during your fertility journey is not always an easy path – as an individual and as a couple. And you are definitely not alone, although it may feel that way at times. Fertility issues impact 1 in 8 families in America. The stress can be enormous. Not just the societal pressure to have a family ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Relationships Tagged With: anxiety, conversations, couples, couples counseling, family, family planning, fertility, infertility, marriage, relationship therapy, relationships, self care, stress, support system

Is Chronic Conflict Ruining Your Marriage…and Your Kids?

March 20, 2018 by Dr. Gary Brown

Every relationship has conflict. Whether it’s about which way the toilet paper should roll, sexual issues, or if it’s about financial disagreements or politics, they are bound to happen. However, living in a state of constant conflict is another matter altogether. Living this way can be a very painful experience for everyone ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Family, Parenting Tagged With: arguing, children, couples, couples counseling, divorce, domestic violence, Dr. Gary Brown, DrGaryLATherapist, family, fighting, individual therapy, Los Angeles therapist, marriage, parenting, relationship therapy, separation

Keeping The Spark Alive: Breathing New Life Into Your Relationship

August 16, 2016 by Dr. Gary Brown

It’s probably safe to assume that everyone loves the comfort and security of their marriage or relationship provides. But, it’s probably also a solid bet to assume no one wants that spark, that magic in their relationship, to disappear. It can seem like a catch-22. In order to feel attracted to a new partner, we have to feel that spark. And yet, in ...read more

Filed Under: Couples, Relationships Tagged With: couples, couples counseling, keep the spark alive, love, making it last, marriage, relationship