Articles

By Dr. Lynn Margolies

Topics

Relationship Issues

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Relationship Issues

A couple embraces and kisses, dressed in formal attire against a colorful sunset backdrop.

4 Match-Up Types: Which One Do You (Unconsciously) Select?

Find out why matching with certain types of people can lead to surprising outcomes you did not expect (or want).

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Good Sex Life Is Not Just About Chemistry

Feelings that are unconscious or unresolved make themselves known through actions and symptoms. Persevering to uncover the true and often underlying meaning of symptoms and behaviors may not only save your relationship, but also open you up to a deeper…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Surprising Cause of Conflicts in Relationships (and Easy Remedy)

A common but hidden cause of conflict in relationships is harboring an inaccurate belief about your partner’s (or teenager’s) intentions. Our perception of why the other person did or didn’t do something, and what we believe that means, can make…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A woman carries two boxes labeled "Living Room #4" while a man checks his phone.

Apology Not Accepted: Why “Sorry” Won’t Get You Off the Hook

Learn the psychology behind bad apologies (and a simple formula for success).

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Can Having a Conscientious Spouse Have an Impact on Your Career?

Wondering how to support your spouse’s career? Research shows a supportive partner boosts success, job satisfaction, and happiness by reducing stress.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Couples Therapy

Marital/couples therapy is a form of therapy which involves working with both partners of a couple to improve their relationship and/or help them make important decisions about the relationship.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Dear John (or Jane) Text/Emails: Closing the Door After an Affair

An affair that is suddenly exposed or suddenly ends poses a particular risk situation for the vulnerable marriage with an unfaithful spouse. In the aftermath of an affair, feelings of loss, conflict and pressure can make it difficult to let…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How Can You Mend a Broken Marriage?

Crisis forces us to mobilize - or face even greater pain, and thereby offers newfound opportunity for growth. When marriages approach destruction, the painstaking work of self-evaluation and behavior change seems worth it.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Two people perform a balancing act on a blue mat, surrounded by snacks and a laptop. One holds a phone.

How to Get Along When You Disagree

Are you or your spouse harboring silent resentment? There's a better way.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Set Boundaries With Difficult People

Boundary setting is challenging. Most people have difficulty saying no or setting a boundary. Predictably, ithout a strategy, people resort to repeating the same tactics that haven't worked or give in and then get resentful. Boundaries protect relationships, and this…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Parenting Challenges

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Parenting Challenges

10 Easy Ways to Get Along With Your Teen

Practical tips for dealing with teenagers to build trust, respect, and better communication.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

3 Easy Ways to Get Your Teen to Talk and Listen

Parents get intimidated when their teenager refuses to talk or shuts down conversations. Here are 3 simple tricks to get your teenager to talk, listen, and engage in a two-way conversation.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Boy Divided

We can all probably easily recognize this story as a clear case of a child being put in the middle between divorced parents. But what can be done?...Children can have qualitatively different attachments with each parent. Research consistently shows that…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Counterintuitive Approach to Your Irritable Teens

In order to help teens, we must accurately diagnose why a particular teen in a particular context is irritable or reactive - rather than respond in a reflexive way.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Being a Grownup When Your Kid Hates You

This column tells a story based on a composite of real-life situations in therapy to represent both teen and parent viewpoints on anger and guilt in families during divorce. Sabrina, 18, was a freshman away at college. Shortly after she…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Being a Wise Ally for Your Kids

How do we deal with getting our loved ones to do what we want them to do? In all relationships we feel the tension created by this dilemma. The subtext of interactions between parents and children facing conflict shapes the…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Binge Drinking During Adolescence Primes the Brain for Alcohol Use Disorder in Adulthood

Teen drinking alters brain development, increasing anxiety and cravings, and heightens risk for adult alcohol use disorder and addiction.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Bonding With Your Teen: a Hidden Opportunity

How can we tell whether our reactions are coming from our own unresolved issues versus “legitimate”?

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A person sits on a bed, using a device, surrounded by scattered clothes and a messy room.

Breaking Up With Your College-Bound Teen

Feeling rejected, worried, or fed up with your college-bound teen? You are not alone. Here's what to do.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A woman comforts a young man, who appears distressed, in a bright kitchen setting.

Can a Parent Have Too Much Empathy?

Many people experience vicarious distress when imagining other people’s reactions, which can hold them back from taking needed action in those relationships.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Teens & Young Adults

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Teens & Young Adults

10 Easy Ways to Get Along With Your Teen

Practical tips for dealing with teenagers to build trust, respect, and better communication.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

3 Easy Ways to Get Your Teen to Talk and Listen

Parents get intimidated when their teenager refuses to talk or shuts down conversations. Here are 3 simple tricks to get your teenager to talk, listen, and engage in a two-way conversation.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

6 Proven Ways to Help Teens Make Safe Choices

Helping teens make good choices. Reduce risky behavior. Proven strategies for teaching how to make the right decisions and better decision making.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Counterintuitive Approach to Your Irritable Teens

In order to help teens, we must accurately diagnose why a particular teen in a particular context is irritable or reactive - rather than respond in a reflexive way.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Guide to Sending Your Teenager Off to College: Overcoming Common Challenges

With the arrival of summer, many teenagers will be preparing to go off to college and leaving home for the first time. In this final leg of the race, families face many challenges navigating this transition.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Quiz on Teens: 5 Common Misconceptions Even You Might Still Believe

Learn the facts about the teenage brain. Take this short quiz to see if you still harbor common stereotypes about teens.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Being a Grownup When Your Kid Hates You

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Being a Wise Ally for Your Kids

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Binge Drinking During Adolescence Primes the Brain for Alcohol Use Disorder in Adulthood

Teen drinking alters brain development, increasing anxiety and cravings, and heightens risk for adult alcohol use disorder and addiction.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Bonding With Your Teen: a Hidden Opportunity

How can we tell whether our reactions are coming from our own unresolved issues versus “legitimate”?

Dr. Lynn Margolies

ADHD & Executive Function Deficits

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ADHD & Executive Function Deficits

Executive Function Problem or Just a Lazy Kid: Part 1

A common denominator and basis of all executive functioning is the ability to hold things in mind, step back and reflect. Without this capacity, it is difficult to have perspective, judgment, or emotional control. Therefore, admonishing or punishing children who…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Executive Function Problem or Just a Lazy Kid? Part 2 — Parent Tips and Guidance

Without accurately understanding children’s behavior, parents and teachers may intervene in ways that compound the situation, creating a control struggle on top of the original problem. To be effective in helping children, we must accurately diagnose the problem and be…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Is There an ADD Epidemic in Adults?

With ADD, lack of capacity can trump the best intentions to use will-power and self-discipline to stay on track. ADD deficits often cause longstanding effects on careers and relationships, leading to underachievement and a chronic sense of frustration, shame, and…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Trauma

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Trauma

Coping With Trauma & Avoiding Misconceptions

Most of us function by maintaining an illusion of control over life with only dim awareness of possible catastrophe. A basic sense of security runs in the background of our psyche - like a computer operating system - imperceptible until…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How Parents & Teachers Can Help Prevent Suicide in Teens

Although we don’t usually think of suicide as contagious, one of the strongest predictors of suicide in youth is the suicide or suicide attempt of a friend or family member.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Preventing the Spread of Suicide in Teens

Teens don’t feel safe talking to adults about suicide. Some suicidal teens may be good actors - showing us what we want to see. Learn how to make it safe for your teen to talk to you and trust you,…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

The Long-Term Impact of Childhood Maltreatment

This blog discusses recent findings on the long-term effects of childhood emotional neglect and abuse. Other topics: how binge drinking in adolescents affects gene expression in adulthood, and recent finding on marijuana use in people with bipolar disorder.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A person holds a torn paper with "HELP" written on it, illuminated by a small flame.

The Psychology of How We React to Witnessing Violence

Have people lost their humanity? It's hard to feel otherwise reading about the death on New York's subway. But other explanations may help restore hope.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

The Surprising Power of Support: Research on How Love and Support Impacts Trauma Recovery and Buffers Pain

This blog discusses interesting new research on the positive biological effects of love and support.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Understanding the Effects of Trauma: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Many people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder fail to seek treatment because of not having correctly identified or recognized their symptoms as trauma-related, and/or not knowing their symptoms are treatable. Also, the inherent avoidance, withdrawal, memory disruption, fear, guilt, shame,…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Three people in festive attire sit at a table with food, looking bored or contemplative.

Why We Hold Grudges: The Psychology of Whether to Forgive

The holiday season ramps up pressure to forgive family members who have hurt us.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

You Should Be So Lucky: Dealing With Tragedy

People often avoid and isolate those who are grieving or have terminal illnesses, either literally or emotionally - inadvertently isolating the person in their lives who is suffering. They are uncomfortable, don’t know what to say or how to act…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Affairs & Fantasy

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Affairs & Fantasy

Being a Grownup When Your Kid Hates You

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Dear John (or Jane) Text/Emails: Closing the Door After an Affair

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How Can You Mend a Broken Marriage?

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Resist Temptation & Be More in Control

There are two states of mind we can be in when it comes to temptation: zooming in and fantasizing about the rush, or zooming out and seeing the broader picture of how things will play out if we act on…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

What Men Say About Their Wives Behind Closed Doors

Underlying the stories that men tell iabout their wives n therapy is the feeling that their wives are not really their friend. Women don't seem to realize this. For men, a “friend” means someone who likes you, is happy for…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

When Fantasy Crosses the Line

Fantasizing about another person may seem like a harmless indulgence, but it actually draws us closer to temptation and can increase the risk of being unfaithful.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

When Men Feel Trapped: a Practical Guide

Male midlife crisis is essentially an identity crisis that occurs at around midlife that evolves into a crisis when men act out their feelings and have an affair or otherwise blow up their lives. Men in a midlife crisis feel…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Who Said It’s Not Your Affair?

Any marriage or relationship can be vulnerable to an affair. There are different types of affairs. They may be motivated by the need for: excitement, sex, escape, feeling desirable, emotional connection, or a vehicle to leave a legitimately flawed marriage.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A man in a hoodie points to his shadow, which resembles a long nose, against a gray wall.

The Psychology of a Cheating Spouse

Learn why people cheat in relationships and whether it means they don’t really love their wife (or husband). The answer may surprise you.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Assertiveness & Boundaries

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Assertiveness & Boundaries

Arming Yourself Against “i’m Just Saying,” and Other Annoying Phrases

Annoyed by phrases like "I'm just saying"? Learn why people use them, their hidden meanings, and practical ways to respond confidently.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Breaking Stereotypes: Why Women Excel at Financial Negotiation and Decision-Making

This blog discusses recent findings that women may be more effective than men in negotiating finances in certain situations and making smart decisions.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Can a Parent Have Too Much Empathy?

Many people experience vicarious distress when imagining other people’s reactions, which can hold them back from taking needed action in those relationships.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Can Having a Conscientious Spouse Have an Impact on Your Career?

Wondering how to support your spouse’s career? Research shows a supportive partner boosts success, job satisfaction, and happiness by reducing stress.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Competing Family Loyalties

As the child becomes an adult, a mother with an anxious, insecure attachment style may refuse to let go, secretly needing to remain the primary love attachment. This may not become apparent until her son find a romantic love partner…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Competition Among Women: Myth & Reality

Women seem to have a reputation for being “catty” and competitive with other women, unlike how men behave with other men. This is a curious notion, especially since women are actually less competitive than men out in the world and…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Courage & Limits With Your Teen

Recognize that, though they will say otherwise (and that’s ok), teens feel protected by limits. No one likes feeling out of control without anyone strong enough to help them.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Daughters Growing Up, Mothers Growing Scared

Difficulties with separation often are activated during developmental transitions such as the first day of kindergarten, adolescence, high school graduation, leaving home and finally, marriage. At these junctures, mothers need to step back and let go, allowing their children to…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Dear John (or Jane) Text/Emails: Closing the Door After an Affair

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Easy Steps to Reconnect: a Guide for Emotionally Avoidant Dads

Empathic ability, or “mind reading,” develops in the brain when parents know how to translate their children's reactions and respond in a way that helps them regulate their emotional states. This process also involves helping the child understand what is…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Difficult Conversations

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Difficult Conversations

A young man sits with crossed arms, listening intently to a man in a pink shirt, who holds a clipboard.

5 Common Mistakes When Engaging Someone Who Won’t Talk

People make similar mistakes that are not so obvious when trying to engage someone who doesn’t want to talk. Considering the audience and previous interactions with them allows us to predict how conversations will play out and make informed decisions.…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Apology Not Accepted: Why “Sorry” Won’t Get You Off the Hook

Learn the psychology behind bad apologies (and a simple formula for success).

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Arming Yourself Against “i’m Just Saying,” and Other Annoying Phrases

Annoyed by phrases like "I'm just saying"? Learn why people use them, their hidden meanings, and practical ways to respond confidently.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Being a Grownup When Your Kid Hates You

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Be Protective When Your Son Thinks He Is Gay

Parents don’t have the power to influence whether their child is gay or not, but do have the power to influence how their child feels about themselves. A close relationship with parents has been found to provide the best insulation…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A cartoon boy with spiky blonde hair and 3D glasses walks forward, arms outstretched.

How to Influence Teens Who Cover Up

What to say to teens who think everything is none of your business or other porcupine tactics that shut parents out.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Live With Your (Newly Returned) “Grown-up” Child

Families are in transition now as college age kids that used to be living at school are returning home. Many parents are struggling with how to live with their kids who are often bolder now and have new ways of…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Set Boundaries With Difficult People

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Snap People Out of Compulsive Self-Defeating Patterns

Understand why smart people repeat self-defeating patterns. Learn strategies to overcome self-sabotage and break compulsive behaviors permanently.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Succeed at Influencing People in Difficult Conversations

Thoughtful preparation when it comes to conversations involving strong feelings is worth the effort in order to maximize success and effect damage control. Fast forwarding in our minds to predict how communications will likely play out can make it quickly…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Family Issues

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Family Issues

10 Easy Ways to Get Along With Your Teen

Practical tips for dealing with teenagers to build trust, respect, and better communication.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A man in a blue shirt and cap looks concerned, holding his forehead with a serious expression.

10 Ways to Stop the Spiral of Self-Destructive Behaviors

Breaking out of self-destructive habits requires deliberate action - not willpower, talking, or insight alone. Escape behaviors are often an unconscious attempt to avoid shame and other difficult feeling states, but when they become habitual, they fuel more shame and…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

3 Easy Ways to Get Your Teen to Talk and Listen

Parents get intimidated when their teenager refuses to talk or shuts down conversations. Here are 3 simple tricks to get your teenager to talk, listen, and engage in a two-way conversation.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

6 Proven Ways to Help Teens Make Safe Choices

Helping teens make good choices. Reduce risky behavior. Proven strategies for teaching how to make the right decisions and better decision making.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Boy Divided

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Counterintuitive Approach to Your Irritable Teens

In order to help teens, we must accurately diagnose why a particular teen in a particular context is irritable or reactive - rather than respond in a reflexive way.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Quiz on Teens: 5 Common Misconceptions Even You Might Still Believe

Learn the facts about the teenage brain. Take this short quiz to see if you still harbor common stereotypes about teens.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Apology Not Accepted: Why “Sorry” Won’t Get You Off the Hook

Learn the psychology behind bad apologies (and a simple formula for success).

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Being a Grownup When Your Kid Hates You

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Being a Wise Ally for Your Kids

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Shame, Guilt, & Compulsive Behaviors

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Shame, Guilt, & Compulsive Behaviors

10 Ways to Stop the Spiral of Self-Destructive Behaviors

Dr. Lynn Margolies

5 Simple Steps: Get Control Over Shame & Self-Destructive Behavior

Shame is: “I am bad” vs. “I did something bad.” Hidden shame often drives self-destructive behaviors and other psychological symptoms such as rage, avoidance, or addictions.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Barriers to True Forgiveness

Well, forgiveness is not so simple. We cannot just decide to forgive and command ourselves to make it happen through sheer force of will.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Getting Unhooked From Pain & Choosing Happiness

Self-defeating behaviors can be understood as habits with psychological, often unconscious motives. Breaking these habits requires not only insight into the function they serve and the resolve to stop them, but the courage and initiative to try out new behaviors,…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How Parents & Teachers Can Help Prevent Suicide in Teens

Although we don’t usually think of suicide as contagious, one of the strongest predictors of suicide in youth is the suicide or suicide attempt of a friend or family member.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Resist Temptation & Be More in Control

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Snap People Out of Compulsive Self-Defeating Patterns

Understand why smart people repeat self-defeating patterns. Learn strategies to overcome self-sabotage and break compulsive behaviors permanently.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A person sits in a meditative pose, surrounded by glowing particles and light emanating from their center.

How to Tell What Your Guilt Means, and Turn It Around

Learn what your guilt is really telling you and what to do with it.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A silhouetted woman stands surrounded by multiple pointing hands on a red background.

Is Shame Good or Bad? the Effects of Shame & Guilt

Do you know the difference between shame and guilt, why shame is worse than guilt, and how shame is transmitted?

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Parent Anxiety Over Kids’ Perceived Failures (Part 1)

One of the most common difficulties for parents is how to contain their reactions and not make things worse when children don’t do well or fail to measure up to their expectations. Families with kids who are not high achievers,…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Men’s Issues

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Men’s Issues

10 Ways to Stop the Spiral of Self-Destructive Behaviors

Dr. Lynn Margolies

5 Simple Steps: Get Control Over Shame & Self-Destructive Behavior

Shame is: “I am bad” vs. “I did something bad.” Hidden shame often drives self-destructive behaviors and other psychological symptoms such as rage, avoidance, or addictions.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Boy Divided

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Apology Not Accepted: Why “Sorry” Won’t Get You Off the Hook

Learn the psychology behind bad apologies (and a simple formula for success).

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Being a Grownup When Your Kid Hates You

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Competing Family Loyalties

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Couples Therapy

Marital/couples therapy is a form of therapy which involves working with both partners of a couple to improve their relationship and/or help them make important decisions about the relationship.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Dear John (or Jane) Text/Emails: Closing the Door After an Affair

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Easy Steps to Reconnect: a Guide for Emotionally Avoidant Dads

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How Can You Mend a Broken Marriage?

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Midlife Crises

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Midlife Crisis

10 Ways to Stop the Spiral of Self-Destructive Behaviors

Dr. Lynn Margolies

5 Simple Steps: Get Control Over Shame & Self-Destructive Behavior

Shame is: “I am bad” vs. “I did something bad.” Hidden shame often drives self-destructive behaviors and other psychological symptoms such as rage, avoidance, or addictions.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Apology Not Accepted: Why “Sorry” Won’t Get You Off the Hook

Learn the psychology behind bad apologies (and a simple formula for success).

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Dear John (or Jane) Text/Emails: Closing the Door After an Affair

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How Can You Mend a Broken Marriage?

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Snap People Out of Compulsive Self-Defeating Patterns

Understand why smart people repeat self-defeating patterns. Learn strategies to overcome self-sabotage and break compulsive behaviors permanently.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

In the Doghouse… Again: Male & Misunderstood

Why do men so often find themselves in the doghouse with women? They try to please. They try to say the “right” thing. They do favors, buy gifts, work hard, and aim to live up to their responsibilities as a…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Men’s Issues: How Therapy Can Help

There are aspects of men’s experiences that are particular to being male. In working with men, it is important for a psychologist to understand the differences in men’s experiences, what men need, and how to best help them achieve their…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Midlife Crises Affecting Men & Families

Midlife crises can occur in both men and women but take a particular form in men facing identity crises, often spilling into family life.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Midlife Crises Can Lead to Growth, Destruction

In midlife crisis men often feel lost or trapped. Learn how men can navigate crises, avoid destructive choices, and find genuine fulfillment.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Women's Issues

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Women’s Issues

Breaking Stereotypes: Why Women Excel at Financial Negotiation and Decision-Making

This blog discusses recent findings that women may be more effective than men in negotiating finances in certain situations and making smart decisions.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Competition Among Women: Myth & Reality

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A hand holds a martini glass with small figures inside, including a dollar sign and three people in various poses.

“Pleasing” Is Not the Proper Word

Describing yourself (or someone else) as a "people pleaser" confuses subordinating yourself with altruism, and encourages this unhealthy behavior. Read Dr. Margolies commentary in the New York Times to understand the psychology behind the term “people pleaser” and why the…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Risk Tolerance: What to Do When Yours Is Different From Your Spouse

This column offers a simple strategy to help couples reduce and de-escalate conflict. It discusses common struggles behind closed doors. Common issues between spouses during the pandemic have to do with risk tolerance differences, feeling trapped and resentful. This piece…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

The Epidemic of Sexual Violence on Campus

This blog discusses important findings on sexual assault on campus.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

The Fight or Flight Response: How It Affects Men and Women’s Ability to Talk Things Out

This blog discusses research findings on why men need space.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Women’s Issues: How Therapy Can Help

Some struggles that women experience are common to many women, and can therefore be attributed to or understood in this larger context of what it means to be a woman in this culture. Framing women's issues in this larger context…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Unlocking Potential

Click to see all 59 articles

Unlocking Potential

10 Easy Ways to Get Along With Your Teen

Practical tips for dealing with teenagers to build trust, respect, and better communication.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

3 Easy Ways to Get Your Teen to Talk and Listen

Parents get intimidated when their teenager refuses to talk or shuts down conversations. Here are 3 simple tricks to get your teenager to talk, listen, and engage in a two-way conversation.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

4 Match-Up Types: Which One Do You (Unconsciously) Select?

Find out why matching with certain types of people can lead to surprising outcomes you did not expect (or want).

Dr. Lynn Margolies

6 Proven Ways to Help Teens Make Safe Choices

Helping teens make good choices. Reduce risky behavior. Proven strategies for teaching how to make the right decisions and better decision making.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Guide to Sending Your Teenager Off to College: Overcoming Common Challenges

Dr. Lynn Margolies

A Quiz on Teens: 5 Common Misconceptions Even You Might Still Believe

Learn the facts about the teenage brain. Take this short quiz to see if you still harbor common stereotypes about teens.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Are You Confusing Rumination With Problem-Solving?

An ill-fated but common problem is failing to recognize rumination as a sign of anxiety, and confusing it with thinking things through.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Being a Wise Ally for Your Kids

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Bonding With Your Teen: a Hidden Opportunity

How can we tell whether our reactions are coming from our own unresolved issues versus “legitimate”?

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Breaking Stereotypes: Why Women Excel at Financial Negotiation and Decision-Making

This blog discusses recent findings that women may be more effective than men in negotiating finances in certain situations and making smart decisions.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

5 Common Mistakes When Engaging Someone Who Won’t Talk

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Are You Confusing Rumination With Problem-Solving?

An ill-fated but common problem is failing to recognize rumination as a sign of anxiety, and confusing it with thinking things through.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Couples Therapy

Marital/couples therapy is a form of therapy which involves working with both partners of a couple to improve their relationship and/or help them make important decisions about the relationship.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Getting Unhooked From Pain & Choosing Happiness

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Good News If You Often Feel Rejected

We all experience rejection as painful. The need to fit in and be accepted is hard-wired. The primal sensitivity to rejection impacts adult relationships, child and teen peer relationships, as well as parents and their children.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Get People to Make Good Decisions (and Not Cause Them to Do the Opposite)

When we witness people in our lives headed down the wrong path - it’s a natural instinct to correct them, educate them about what’s wrong with what they’re doing, and argue the merits of our position. But this approach, rather…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Overcome Obstacles to Change

We all are faced at times with trying to persuade other people, or ourselves, to change a behavior. BUt our efforts and good intentions can leave us feeling frustrated and helpless. Why is it that people don't just do what…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Resist Temptation & Be More in Control

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Tell If It’s Time to Cut Your Losses: 6 Signs

Knowing when to quit (and that you're not just bailing) involves predicting how the future will play out, thinking about our future self, and what matters most.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How to Tell If Your Decisions Are From Your Evolved or Primitive Brain

Decisions can be motivated by thoughtful consideration from our higher mind (frontal lobe/executive functions), or fear-based survival instincts (amygdala, impulses) from a more primitive mind. When decisions are informed by our higher mind, they are more likely to lead to…

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Psychology News

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Psychology News

Binge Drinking During Adolescence Primes the Brain for Alcohol Use Disorder in Adulthood

Teen drinking alters brain development, increasing anxiety and cravings, and heightens risk for adult alcohol use disorder and addiction.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Breaking Stereotypes: Why Women Excel at Financial Negotiation and Decision-Making

This blog discusses recent findings that women may be more effective than men in negotiating finances in certain situations and making smart decisions.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Can Having a Conscientious Spouse Have an Impact on Your Career?

Wondering how to support your spouse’s career? Research shows a supportive partner boosts success, job satisfaction, and happiness by reducing stress.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Good News on the Mind’s Impact on Physical Health

This blog discusses research on the positive effect of psychotherapy in changing the brain and the positive ways the mind can impact biology.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

How Communication Breakdowns Between Parents & Teens Can Affect Health, Well-Being, and Safety

Communicating with teens is key—poor communication can make them feel invalidated, raising risk of self-harm. Validating feelings supports safety.

Dr. Lynn Margolies

Influencing People: What Works to Change Behavior (and How It Applies to Parenting)

Without accurately understanding children’s behavior, we may intervene in ways that compound the situation, creating a control struggle on top of the original problem. To be effective in helping children, we must accurately diagnose the problem and be curious: What’s…

Dr. Lynn Margolies