Were you cheated on? Are you wondering if a relationship can survive after an affair/s? There's hope. Morgan Johnson, MA, LPC Intern is a helping professional at Luminary Counseling under the supervision of Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT. LuminaryCounseling.com


kristin neff - self-compassion



harvard longevity study - What leads to happy lives?



Attachment theory - understanding the essential bond

"In 1958, psychologist John Bowlby pioneered "attachment theory," the idea that the early bond between parent and child is critical to a child's emotional development. Since then, scientists have discovered that insecure attachment during formative years can significantly stress both the developing brain and body, resulting in long-term psychological and physical ailments."


Ed Tronick - Still Face experiment 

"Copyright © 2007 ZERO TO THREE. Ed Tronick, director of UMass Boston's Infant-Parent Mental Health Program and Distinguished Professor of Psychology, discusses the cognitive abilities of infants to read and react to their social surroundings." 


Kimberlé Crenshaw- The urgency of intersectionality



Pat ogden - How trauma affects body and mind

“Dr. Ogden talks about how trauma affects the body and the mind.”


Jaak Panksepp - Understanding Emotions with Affective Neuroscience 



Antonio damasio - understanding consciousness



Brené Brown - vulnerability as strength 



Sue Johnson - Hold Me tight (book + couples workshop)

Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Sue Johnson Ed.D. Now available in trade paperback For more information on this book visit: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/sue-johnson-edd/hold-me-tight/9780316113007/


Stan Tatkin - what is relational safety? 

"Relationships are hard. But what if it's not you or them or sex, money or even who picks up the socks. What if there is a far more primitive reason? In this talk, relationship expert Stan Tatkin explores why we fight from the perspective of neuroscience – and how to give your relationship a fighting chance. Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT, is a clinician, researcher, teacher, and developer of A Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy® (PACT). He has a clinical practice in Calabasas, CA, where he has specialized for the last 15 years in working with couples and individuals who wish to be in relationships."


Sue johnson - what is eft?

"Dr. Sue Johnson provides a brief summary of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). This leading edge, empirically validated form of therapy which is taught all over the world. EFT is based on the last 50 yrs of scientific research on bonding: bonding between mother and child and romantic bonds between partners."


nadine burke harris - how childhood trauma affects health



Emily Nagoski - keys to sexual wellbeing 

"Author of the NY Times bestselling book, 'Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life,' Dr. Emily Nagoski presents the research behind two keys to sexual well-being: confidence and joy."


Helen Fisher - the brain in love



tiq milan and kim katrin milan - queer love & marriage

"Love is a tool for revolutionary change and a path toward inclusivity and understanding for the LGBTQ+ community. Married activists Tiq and Kim Katrin Milan have imagined their marriage--as a transgender man and cis woman--a model of possibility for people of every kind."


Esther Perel - rethinking infidelity

"Infidelity is the ultimate betrayal. But does it have to be? Relationship therapist Esther Perel examines why people cheat, and unpacks why affairs are so traumatic: because they threaten our emotional security. In infidelity, she sees something unexpected: an expression of longing and loss."


seema anand - the art of seduction 



maureen mcgrath - the sexless marriage

“Love? Marriage? Sex? Can a married couple have all three? Perhaps it's unrealistic since so many marriages end in divorce today. Why is that? One reason might be that a reported 20% of all marriages are sexless and that number is rising. Why have we lost the lust in our marriages?”


Jim coan - neuroscience of bonding

"Dr. James Coan is Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Virginia Affective Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Virginia. Dr. Coan's work emphasizes the neuroscience of emotion and social relationships."


harriet lerner - how to master the art of apology 

"Harriet Lerner is a clinical psychologist and New York Times Best Selling author who has turned her attention to the subject of apology. Harriet's talk explores why some people may never get the apology they deserve. Harriet will also offer a 6 sentence guide to reaching the one who hurt you, and to making your own healing apology."


dan siegel - mindfulness and neural integration

“Exploring Relationships and Reflection in the Cultivation of Well-Being. Daniel Siegel, MD, is Clinical Professor of psychiatry at UCLA, Co-Director of Mindful Awareness Research Center, Executive Director of Mindsight Institute, author, and recipient of numerous awards and honorary fellowships.”


elena heriedeckerhoff - Highly sensitive people (HSP’s)

“Elena is a mentor for highly sensitive and empathic entrepreneurs. She explains why we need to change the prevalent cultural narrative around highly sensitive people. Elena Herdieckerhoff, Founder & CEO of Entreprincess, is a mentor for highly sensitive and empathic entrepreneurs.”

The #1 public health crisis in the US is loneliness.
— Esther Perel


This site is for people seeking resources, psychoeducational content, and relationship research news. If you're here because you're in distress, I want to remind you that you're not alone. I'd also just like to put these trusted resources at your fingertips:

ATX 24-HR Crisis Hotline:
(512) 472-4357
Shoal Creek Psychiatric Hospital:
(512) 452-0361
St. David’s Pavilion Psychiatric Hospital:
(512) 867-5800
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1 (800) 799-7233
ATX 24-HR SAFEline (abuse/domestic violence):
(512) 267-7233
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 
1 (800) 273-8255
LGBT Trevor Project Lifeline:
1 (866) 488-7386
National Sexual Assault Hotline:
1 (800) 656-4673
Crisis Text Line:
Text “HOME” to 741741