Last Updated: June 2022 Part of human nature is to be understood, feel wanted and needed. Learning to validate our feelings and those of others builds emotional bridges. Establishing these basic connections lays the foundation for emotional safety. It is this safety that allows us to go out into the world and accomplish our daily […]
Can We Force Someone to Love Us? In my practice as a marriage therapist, I have come to see many common themes present themselves within intimate partner relationships. One of these themes is something I have come to call the ‘Love Gun’ analogy. “Love Gun” Analogy This metaphorical weapon comes into the relationship when, out […]
The Opposite of Addiction is Connection As recovering addicts, we tend to spend a lot of time and energy counting the number of days we have been sober. We often look at sobriety as the opposite of addiction, but in actuality, the opposite of addiction is human connection. Regardless of the form our addiction might […]
“Sex is such a chore.” “Why do I dread it sometimes when he starts to touch me?” “Am I broken?” These are some of the statements that I hear from women in my profession as a sex and marriage therapist. Often what lies beneath these statements are feelings of guilt, shame, sadness, and fear. Many […]
Sometimes you can feel helpless to know what you can do to make your sex life better. You desperately want to connect with your wife, and sexuality is an unparalleled powerful way to experience deep connection with the woman you love. The truth is, it takes two committed people valuing their sexuality for it to thrive. You are just one person in this equation, but there are things that you can do to start to make things better.
Tunnel Vision for Behavior or a Substance One of the difficulties in regaining control and reducing compulsive behaviors is the brain becomes fixated on getting the high or pleasure brought on by the behavior or substance. This leaves little to no time for the brain to be aware of emotions, physiological changes, sensations, mental status, […]
Dr. Mark Chamberlain’s PowerPoint Presentation at AMCAP on September 29, 2016. Please click the link below to see the PowerPoint Presentation. connect-to-thrive
Presented by Mark Chamberlain, PhD at the “Togetherness Conference” on October 17, 2015. The following content is his PowerPoint presentation. Emotionally Safe Sex “I feel messed up emotionally” “I’m not crazy!” Attachment System: • I still want to be with my husband physically • I want to know he’s near me Avoidance System: • I […]
Presented by Mark Chamberlain, PhD at the “Togetherness Conference” on October 17, 2015. The following content is his PowerPoint presentation. Trauma Response … • Nervous system recognizes danger quickly, safety more slowly. • What you’re doing may be working, just takes longer than expected Physically Calm Your Aroused Nervous System • Breathe – Phone App: […]
Dear Dad, I want to let you know first of all that I love you and forgive you for what this has done in my life. I also wanted to let you know exactly what your porn use has done to my life. You may think that this effects only you, or even your and […]
