Read our posts about Relationships

02Dec

Breaking Up With A Sociopath

Jane McGregor

couple, divorce, sociopath

Relationships

The end of a relationship presents challenges in most circumstances, let alone if you're breaking up with a sociopath.
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25Nov

Adopting Siblings: Our New Family

Rebecca

adoption, couple, family

Relationships

My husband and I have been together for nearly 17 years and married 11 years ago. Since marrying we had tried for a family but when it became clear that we wouldn’t be able to have biological children we both (separately) came to the conclusion that we would like to be considered as adoptive parents. I read information on the adoptive process and we approached our local authority and Clifton Children's Society, an adoption service who specialise in adopting siblings, for further information. After attending information sessions by both organizations we asked CCS to...
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23Nov

Becoming a Grandparent

Angela Neustatter

elderly, family, love

Relationships

I was pleased when my son and daughter-in-law announced they were expecting, but I had no idea what a transformational rite of passage it would be when she became part of our family. How much love would be unleashed, how it is to see her little personality shaping itself and to have a soft dough hand thrust trustingly into mine and The Old Man's as we stride down the street with her, pausing to examine dogs, doorways, shop, windows at her command. In fact I fear I've become a sentimental old bore whipping out my smart phone if someone as much as enquires...
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10Sep

Cheating - Should You Confess?

Kate Figes

couple, love, marriage, sex

Relationships

Is honesty the best policy if you have been caught cheating on your partner? Kate Figes weighs up the pros and cons
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03Sep

We All Use Sexist Language, Women Too

Terri Apter

men, society, women

Relationships

Adjectives have now become the scapegoat for a sexist culture - these naughty words are seen to be drenched in misogyny.  First “bossy” came under fire; now “feisty” is targeted. Forget feisty's positive meaning - apparently the fact that it is commonly used to describe women provides sufficient proof of bias and bad intent. When I went through the list of additional 'women only' words presented in The Telegraph Wonder Woman, I felt the frisson of easy recognition that often accompanies what psychologists call the 'confirmation bias': it is much easier to think...
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12Aug

Millennials Struggle To Find "The One"

Alice Stapleton

love, marriage, single

Relationships

For many years, I have been coaching professionals in their late 20s who come to me wanting to discuss their careers. However, over time, it becomes clear that there is a more pressing issue they are struggling with - the pressure to find someone to settle down with. There is definitely something about progressing towards...
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01Aug

Don't Rush Forgiveness

Tina Gilbertson

emotions

Relationships

In my psychotherapy practice I often sit with people who are struggling with forgiveness.  Many of us, whether in therapy or not, have a hard time forgiving both ourselves and others. Someone close to us betrays our trust. Someone takes something from us, be it a purse, a car, or our very sense of safety in the world. We’re told when this happens that we must not act like victims. We’re “survivors” of every awful thing that befalls us. We seek the experience of forgiveness in order to free ourselves from hatred, anger, grief and again, victimhood. But forgiveness is...
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31Jul

Why We Shouldn't Fear Touch

Gill Tree

abuse, care, family, massage

Relationships

The media impress upon us the often horrifying results of inappropriate touch. As increasing numbers of celebrities have come under investigatation, media coverage has been innundated with examples of inappropriate touch.  The fact that Rolf Harris is now serving five years for using his celebrity status to control young women is a case in point.  Are we  fearful of touch?  We now struggle to decipher what is appropriate and what isn't.  At this years sports day, I was surprised to discover that primary school teachers are no longer allowed to put suntan lotion onto...
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30Jul

Parenting and Gender: What's the Difference?

Wendy Varley

family

Relationships

When my triplet daughters went to university in 2005 my household switched overnight from one in which I, as a female, was in a 4:2 majority, to one in which I was outnumbered. Suddenly it was just me, my then three-year old son, and his dad. The shift in dynamic is one I'm still getting used to as my son grows up. I confess I miss my daughters, and I miss female company. People assume I'm an old hand at this parenting lark, but the truth is that raising one boy is very different to raising a trio of girls, and is providing just as much of a learning curve. Parenting...
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13Jun

The Psychology of a One-Night Stand

Terri Apter

LGBT, sex, single

Relationships

The stereotype of a one-night stand is a brutally selfish, egoistically satisfied male, and a woman shamed by regret and disappointment. Yet a memorable counter offensive was launched more than 40 years ago when Erica Jong, in her novel Fear of Flying, celebrated a female fantasy where “zippers fell away like rose petals, underwear blew off in one breath like dandelion fluff”. And, with the subsiding ecstasy, your partner melted away, freeing you both from embarrassment and commitment. For many men and women, this is the promise of a one-night stand.  The “zipless...
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