Dear Michael: I write to you because you are becoming the “Dear Abby” of San Diego! I am having a problem with my ex-husband. When I left him for another man, he was really angry about it. Now, nine years’ later, he still is furious with me. …
If you believe advertising, getting older is a mistake, a weakness. If you get older and look older, you’ve done it wrong. This logic works really well for advertising: it creates a lot of scared people desperate enough to buy any product that will keep them…
Today I got a call from a new client, who asked me, “Can you help me lower my stress and anxiety? I don’t want to take medication. Oh, and by the way, I’m kinda depressed too.” This is a common request. Despite TV commercials that…
How do affairs happen? Typically, in my psychotherapy office, when I work with a couple that is struggling with the aftermath of an affair (e.g. one person was unfaithful to the other), it’s common for the person who cheated to say “I don’t know how…
I see a lot of clients who have problems with their jobs. They tell me they feel burned out at work. I define this kind of burnout as job-related mental and physical exhaustion that has a negative effect on your personal life. Here are some…
I enjoy shopping. In small doses. Occasionally, it’s fun to go into stores and see what’s there. I used to shop a lot more. When I would go into a store, I’d literally get an adrenaline rush: so much stuff to look at…and buy. There…
Dear Michael: I have friends who seem to have it all (plenty of money, great jobs, hot boyfriends) and they are all going off to meditation retreats, studying Buddhism and getting all “spiritual” on me. They say it’s bringing them peace of mind and that…
Often clients ask me, “Should I stay with my partner or should I go?” This is obviously not a question I can answer for them, so I help them look at the big picture – their expectations, the reality of their relationship, their old patterns…
For quite some time now, I have been recommending local health care professionals to my San Diego clients. I would now like to make those recommendations available here. These are my own personal recommendations and, no, I don’t get any referral fees if you choose…
Dear Michael: I have been with my partner for several years’ now. Our sex life isn’t great, but everything else is good. Last week, I was out of town for work, went to a bar and, after too many drinks, ended up going home with…
