Relationships are like campfires: They keep us warm, safe, and help us find our way. tl;dr: Relationships have many functions but also take work. They feel good, keep us safe, and keep us healthy. But it takes effort, especially in adulthood, to begin and develop friendships. Also, depending on the season of life, you may have combinations of many small fires (e.g., acquaintances) and fewer bigger fires (e.g., a partner, best friend). Being lonely is like sitting by an exting

A note before starting: This article is addressed to the friends, family, and presumably therapy clients who have mourned, or will mourn, a loss this year (this article was originally written during the worst of COVID-19). This group is much larger than normal due to Covid, and this excess spurred this article. I have no reason to believe that my own death is imminent. For any of my own patients who read the following, there is no reason to be worried. I do have arrangemen

Should you call a therapist or call a friend? When should someone go to the hospital? When can therapy help? Some thoughts from Dr Reeves.