Relational Tools | Relationship Therapist Philip Lewis 2/13

Phil's Latest Articles about Couples and Relationships

Relationship Therapy Just Might Save Your Life

Throughout history, humans have tirelessly searched for the ultimate secret to eternal youth. We’ve tried every imaginable powder, lotion, process, and potion—hot saunas, cold plunges, hot and cold yoga, even blood transfusions, and “vampire” facials. None has meaningfully delayed the aging process. That is, until now. The key to living longer isn’t just whether or not you smoke, eat too much, get drunk on weekends, go to Pilates every day, or skip the gym entirely. Don’t get

Dating and Relationships

“Should I Break Up Before or After the Holidays?” — A Marriage Therapist Chimes in on the Annual Relationship Question

5 Key Questions You Must Ask Before Calling it Quits Holidays can bring out both the best and the worst in romantic relationships. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve can be especially challenging for couples. Shopping pressures, toxic family dynamics, and increased spending stress can exaggerate already-heated tensions between partners — like a neon sign pointing directly at the most vulnerable fault lines in the couple’s relational foundation. When the emoti

Mindset

Happy Couple Hugging Outdoors on Sunny Day

How to Rescue Your Relationship by Being “Wrong” | Couples Therapy Los Angeles

Learn how couples therapy Los Angeles helps partners stop fighting to be “right” and start reconnecting through empathy, teamwork, and trust.

Relationship Advice

Male High-Performing Professional Looking at Smartphone

How High Achievers Overcome Substance Abuse and Leverage Addiction Recovery to Supercharge Success

Learn how high-performing professionals in addiction recovery transform substance abuse setbacks into success and competitive advantage

Addiction Recovery

Unwrapping Hidden Truths: Do Your Partner's Holiday Gifts Reveal Red Flags in a Relationship?

Observing how your partner approaches gift-giving can provide valuable insight into the strength or weakness of your relationship.

Dating and Relationships

Is News Addiction (Literally) Killing You?

This article provides five simple strategies to help you avoid being overwhelmed by news addiction or social media addiction.

Mindset

Glossary of Dating Red Flags

Are you one of the thousands of innocent individuals struggling to figure out why certain people in your life are always so difficult? If so, you're definitely not alone! Below is an unofficial, non-exhaustive glossary some common terms and phrases used to describe relationship red flags, dating red flags, narcissist red flags, and other toxic trends in dating and relationships.

Breadcrumbing

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Breadcrumbing is an emotional manipulation tactic used to lure you in and keep you interested in another person while they commit to nothing and follow through on little.

Controlling Your Partner

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When unhappy with a partner, it’s hard to resist trying to pressure them into changing. The urge is even stronger when you’re asking for something you think they should have been giving you all along. But this is a Losing Strategy. Simply put, no one likes being controlled. It’s more likely to push someone away than get what you want. “Angry complaint is not sexy.” — Terry Real

Dating Abuse

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According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), Dating Abuse, Relationship Abuse, and Domestic Violence (DV) are used interchangeably to refer to the same pattern of destructive conduct, in short "behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship." If you might be at risk of IPV, find help at thehotline.org. For immediate emergency call 911.