The Love and Logic approach to parenting was developed by Dr. Foster Cline (a child psychiatrist) and Jim Fay (a school administrator with 35 years of experience). Their approach is based upon two basic principles: (1) Helping children learn responsibility, the ability to do what they want as long as they don’t create problems for […]
The Wizard of Oz
August 19, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
This classic movie begins in a black and white filmed Kansas, just before a severe tornado strikes. During the storm, Dorothy (played by Judy Garland) is transported to Oz (and the movie changes to color film), where she quickly finds herself stranded and in trouble. She makes three friends, each believing that they have a […]
This Boy’s Life
July 19, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
This movie is based upon an autobiography written by the teenager in the story, Toby (Leonardo DiCaprio), about his adolescence in rural Washington State. After going through a divorce, his mother (played by Ellen Barkin) marries Dwight (Robert De Niro) who alternates between being charming and charismatic and angry and abusive. Toby tries to “be […]
Passionate Marriage: Sex, Love, and Intimacy in Emotionally Committed Relationships by David Schnarch, Ph.D.
June 19, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Dr. Schnarch is a sex therapist and a psychologist who has written a number of books about passionate marriage. In this book, he provides an excellent description of emotional differentiation (the ability to retain a sense of self while being in a relationship) and how difficulties in this area result in “emotional gridlock.” One of […]
Tyler Perry’s Why Did We Get Married?
June 19, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Tyler Perry movies tend to be exquisitely well written and acted intense stories that deal with a great deal of complexity and honesty while being also being very funny. This movie is about four couples who met in college and vacation together once a year. In this movie, each of the couples are living with […]
Staying Sober: A Guide for Relapse Prevention by Terence Gorski, MA and Merlene Miller, MA
May 19, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Mr. Gorski developed an approach, called Relapse Prevention, to help severe, relapse-prone alcoholics to stay sober. This program began at a VA Hospital and has grown over the course of several decades to be included in many of the intensive in-patient programs. The book includes discussion of addictive disease and several of the impediments to […]
When A Man Loves A Woman
May 19, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
This movie is a compelling and accurate depiction of the relationship between an alcoholic (played by Meg Ryan) and her husband (played by Andy Garcia), as they recognize the severity of her alcoholism. She recognizes she has a problem when she nearly dies in the shower, begins sobriety, and enters recovery. He was focused upon […]
Tell Me No Lies: How to Face the Truth and Build a Loving Marriage by Ellyn Bader, Ph.D. and Peter T. Pearson, Ph.D.
April 19, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Although there are a number of books by these authors that are exceptional, this book stands out as an excellent exploration of lying and deception in relationships. Their discussion covers multiple facets of the issue, from both the standpoint of the person telling lies as well from the perspective of the person who is impacted […]
Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes by William Bridges, Ph.D.
March 19, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
As a former English Professor, Dr. Bridges provides a very engaging, informative, and insightful view of his personal journey through life change. He draws upon literature frequently and uses it beautifully to describe, with considerable depth and nuance, the personal journey through transition. He describes three stages of Transition, letting go, neutral zone, and new […]
Why Marriages Succeed or Fail by John Gottman, Ph.D.
February 19, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Dr. Gottman is one of the first investigators of successful marriage and his book is written in an interesting and concise manner. His book is based on his extensive research on successful marriage and provides insights into how it happens. His observations range from the numerical (e.g., the optimal ratio of positive to negative interactions, […]