The research of Dr. John Gottman has spanned over 40 years and lays claim to the most scientific understanding of what makes couples happy together and what breaks them apart.  In this episode Dr. Hamlin discusses Gottman's famous "Four Horsemen" as patterns of communication and how to use them in a dating relationship.  Unless these 4 negative communication patterns are recognized and changed, the future spells trouble for the couple.  These four ways of interacting are the most important areas to think about, talk about with each other, and change together.

Disappointments are a part of life.  The smaller they are, the easier it is to "just get over it."  But major loss brings disappointment to a whole new level.  When loss has a magnitude that is earth-shattering we also find that our coping mechanisms are shattered.  The death of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, and even intangible losses can leave us floundering.  This is because the grief process requires us to grow in our emotional intelligence in gut-wrenching ways.  If we try to avoid this, we just prolong our misery.

The process of grief is a natural process of moving from point A (crushing loss that leaves us broken) to point B (full adjustment to our new reality).  Sadly, there is much confusion about what grief is and what to do with it.

In this episode Dr. Hamlin offers tools to understand the process of grief and steps to move through it.  He also describes how the right kind of therapy can make the whole process easier and faster.