Mental Health and Behavioral Health Blog

We often think that being close to someone means doing things together, agreeing with each other, and wanting the same things. But what if a healthy relationship isn't about becoming more alike? What if it's about becoming more comfortable being different? In relationships, differentiation is the ability to remain connected to someone while maintaining a strong sense of yourself. It means I can love you without needing to agree with you. I can listen to you without changing m

If you're a grandparent, few things are more painful than watching your grandchild run into someone else's arms while barely acknowledging yours. You may wonder, Why do they seem to love Grandma more than me? The hurt can be surprisingly deep, especially if you've invested time, love, and energy into building the relationship. The good news is that, in most cases, a child's preference has far less to do with love than it does with familiarity, opportunity, personality, and no