Couples & Connections

In this episode, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Cynthia Post discusses when and how to introduce your significant other to your children and when and how to introduce your significant other’s children to your children. She addresses how to preserve your relationship with your children and how to set realistic expectations for a blended family when the time comes. 

Your siblings know how to push your buttons because they installed them. Does that ring true to you? If so, there’s a reason for that. In this episode on siblings, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Cynthia Post explores what makes the sibling relationship unique. Cindy unpacks how birth order, environment, and family dynamics impact sibling relationships. Whether you’re best friends with your siblings or basic strangers, Cindy offers insight into how to navigate uncomfortable conversations and unavoidable conflict. 

What do you need to know before you start dating? And once you do, what are the red and green flags to look for in a potential partner? In this second part of the dating episode, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Cynthia Post answers those questions and explores how to navigate the difference between deal-breakers and compromises. 

This is the first in a series of podcasts on dating. We’re starting with some foundational questions about dating, determining whether you’re ready for dating, and discerning what you’re looking for through dating. 

In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Post talks about what it means to be connected to others, including how individuals’ needs for connectedness differ. She explains the difference between loneliness and feeling disconnected. She addresses how to build and maintain meaningful connections, even when our lives are very busy. 

In this episode, we explore how people can navigate health challenges when they arise. We discuss how to be supportive when your partner is struggling, how to discuss health challenges with your partner, and how to take care of your own mental and physical health while supporting a partner who is struggling with their health.

In this third in a series, we discuss the specifics of engagement between parents, children and their children’s children and how that has changed. Some is much the same, such as each generation of parents thinks they’re going to do a better job. We discuss how grandparents can  be supportive without interfering, how to be a trusted resource without giving up their own lives. 

In this second episode in a series on grandparenting, we talk more specifically about managing the logistics of the grandparent, parent, grandchild relationship. Last time, we talked about the changing role of grandparents, how grandparents used to be figureheads, just there for holidays. Now they’re more involved and engaged. In this episode, we explore the logistics of managing that relationship, both for grandparents who live within driving distance and for grandparents who live far away from their grandchildren. 

In this first in a three-part series on grandparenting, we talk about how the role of grandparents has changed in modern families. Today’s grandparents are generally more involved in the lives of their grandchildren, often providing free childcare. We talk about how to communicate often and openly to avoid misunderstandings. We also talk about the grandparents’ roles as the supporting cast and that the parents are now the lead characters. www.cynthiapostphd.com

In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Cynthia Post addresses how to begin a difficult conversation with a partner, family member, or friend, giving examples of what to say to broach the subject and what to do when tension rises. She describes how to open a dialogue and how to avoid putting the person on the defensive so the exchange can be productive.  For more information: www.cynthiapostphd.com

In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Cynthia Post addresses America's loneliness epidemic and what anyone can do to build connections, even people struggling with depression. She provides concrete steps to develop deeper personal connections as well as tips for reaching out to people in your life who might be lonely, especially older adults. 

Whether you're in a relationship or single, clinical psychologist Dr. Cynthia Post provides insights into how to make the most of or get through Valentine's Day. Whether you mark the day or decide not to, it can be fraught. She offers tips for avoiding personal disappointment, whether you are single or part of a couple.  She will offer tips to couples on approaching the day so you and your partner stay aligned, connected, and closer. 

A recurring theme of this podcast is that professional mental health advice can often be helpful. This episode is a conversation about finding a therapist. Specific questions … How do you know you might need professional help? What types of therapists are there? What qualities or backgrounds should you look for in a therapist? How do you find the right therapist?Info: www.cynthiapostphd.com 

This is part three of a conversation about what it takes to be a couple. Some specifics: Challenges, how to handle extended family relationships, parenting, friends, finances, spending time and sexuality.Info: www.cynthiapostphd.com

This episode digs deeper into the previous conversation about what it takes to be a couple. Some specifics: what to consider to make a partnership work, long term partnerships, conflict resolution, and daily connectedness. Info: www.cynthiapostphd.com 

This episode explores the question of what it takes to be a couple, from the perspective of individuals as well as those who are part of a couple already. Specific issues include how to know if your partnership is healthy, factors that lead couples to be able to stay together for a lifetime, what to consider when picking a partner, questions to ask each other when meeting someone new and how to build confidence to try again after failed relationships. More info: www.cynthiapostphd.com

This episode defines Empty Nesting and explores specific aspects including immediate things an empty nesting couple is faced with, how to address empty nesting issues for couples, single parents and children, and how to plan for empty nesting.  More info: www.cynthiapostphd.com

This episode explores the definition of a meaningful life and offers specific steps to help create such a life. In addition, Dr. Post talks about the connection between celebrations like New Years, birthdays and anniversaries and creating a meaningful life, as well as resolving potential conflict if each person in a couple has a different definition of a meaningful life. More information:  www.cynthiapostphd.com 

This episode explores parental relationships with their adult children, including a look at what is appropriate, healthy and normal in a relationship between adult children and their parents, how should parents respond to their adult children, how often to talk, how much to share and how to determine the amount of parenting advice to give to adult children who are now parents? More information at www.cynthiapostphd.com 

Growing older might present us with new, frustrating and unexpected challenges. Depression, isolation and even suicide are factors we may face as we age, but there are ways to have a positive outlook. In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Post discusses some ways to build the mental resilience to deal with and accept aging. www.cynthiapostphd.com

This episode explores the meaning of retirement, our relationship with work, identity connected to a career, the life-changing experience of leaving full-time work. More information: www.cynthiapostphd.com 

This episode explores changing family dynamics as adult children become parents, with specific examples of various generational combinations. Dr. Post provides suggestions for new parents, new grandparents, step families and blended families. www.cynthiapostphd.com  #couplesandconnections #couplestherapy #couples #relationships #cynthiapost #drpost #familyrelationships #changingfamilyrelationships 

This episode explores specific things we can do to keep friend and family relationships healthy, including staying connected, the pros and cons of social media, and structuring time to stay in touch. More information: www.cynthiapostphd.com   #couplesandconnections #couplestherapy #couples #relationships #cynthiapost #drpost #healthyrelationships #familyrelationships

The holiday season is supposed to be a time for fun with family and friends. Sometimes, however, the holidays involve stress, overscheduling and overeating. In this episode, psychologist Cynthia Post suggests ways to survive the season. Specifics include changing generational traditions and roles, blended families, gift giving, expectations, travel and spending the holidays alone. More information: www.cynthiapostphd.com   #couplesandconnections #couplestherapy #couples #relationships #cynthiapost #drpost #survivingtheholidays #holidays

In the Couples & Connections podcast, clinical psychologist Dr. Cynthia Post shares her insights that come from more than 30 years in private practice and her training. She discusses the definition of mental resilience and what everyone can do to build the skills, strengths, and practices to get through life’s many challenges. She provides a brief summary of her background and clinical practice working with couples, families, and individuals. She outlines future episodes of Couples & Connections, all of which stem from her desire to help people have healthier relationships. For more information: www.cynthiapostphd.com #couplesandconnections #couplestherapy #couples #relationships #cynthiapost #drpost #mentalresilience