Blog

• updated: Jan. 05, 2026

Do you find yourself overly sensitive to criticism?Do you tend to withdraw when conflict arises?Do you feel that your partner is either too emotional—or not emotional enough?Have others said you Read More

• updated: Jan. 05, 2026

Part 3:  Narcissistic Personality Disorder Explained  It is important to understand the distinction between narcissism characteristics and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).  Narcissism, itself, is not inherently negative. Like many mental health Read More

• updated: Jan. 05, 2026

  Part 4: When Your Partner May Have Undiagnosed ADHD or Narcissistic Personality Disorder If You Suspect ADHD: You may choose to stay and work on the relationship—especially if you believe change is Read More

• updated: Jan. 05, 2026

Part 2: Narcissism vs. Adult ADHD — Understanding Adult ADHD Part 1 explored how certain frustrating or confusing partner behaviors—like distraction, forgetfulness, or emotional distance—can sometimes be mistaken for narcissism, as Read More

• updated: Jan. 05, 2026

Part 1: Maybe, Instead of Narcissism — It’s Actually Adult ADHD It’s surprisingly easy to mistake ADHD behaviors for narcissistic traits, as in Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). The internet is full Read More

• updated: Jun. 05, 2025

“Better communication” is the most common goal couples tell me they hope to achieve from couple counseling. What I think they really mean is more “effective” communication to reduce relationship Read More

• updated: Jun. 05, 2025

Ideally, message receivers have the resilience and self-confidence to listen to even the most outrageous message with respect and calm. However, when a message receiver feels attacked, criticized or threatened Read More

• updated: Jul. 06, 2023

Let’s start with the basics. Do you want a deep-rooted positive bond with your partner?Do you take responsibility for your role in the relationship problem you’re having?Do you believe you know Read More

• updated: Jul. 06, 2023

1.  How do you formulate beliefs from new information?Do you like to gather as much information and detail as you can to feel confident in coming to a conclusion?Are you Read More

• updated: Jul. 06, 2023

Marital Mediation : A New, Brief, Practical Method To Save Your MarriageDonna Kimmel, PhD, 5-17-2017 Everyone knows marriage is difficult.  Cooperation, communication, intimacy, sexual desires, personality differences, beliefs about money, parenting styles, Read More

• updated: Jul. 06, 2023

Couple Conflict About ParentingDonna Kimmel, PhD, 2-17-2017 With so many possibilities for parenting education, it’s amazing to me that parents will complain about each other’s approach to child rearing.  Each will Read More

• updated: Jul. 06, 2023

As you might imagine, each distressed couple has its own unique issues. Each has its own way habitual way of dealing with those issues. Often, each person struggles – unsuccessfully Read More

• updated: Jul. 06, 2023

Therapeutic Acting for Couples (TA-C) expands on the behavioral aspect of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT), a research-based, tried and true method of dealing with many mental health issues. TA integrates my training Read More

• updated: Jul. 06, 2023

The essential outcome of effective couple and marriage counseling can be defined in one word: learning. Actually, that’s what all counseling is ultimately about – learning new and modified ways Read More

• updated: Jul. 06, 2023

How much do you know about your personality and that of the important people in your life? How much do the experiences of your childhood influence your current behavior? Have you considered Read More

• updated: Jul. 06, 2023

From the very beginning, I ask my clients what they hope to achieve from counseling with me. Without knowing what a client wants, how would I know whether what I Read More