Loving Well ― The Key to Satisfying and Joyful Relationships

Everyone is plagued with anxiety and depression these days. The divorce rate is well above 50%. Many children are on some form of psychotropic medication by the time they are in high school. Many marriages lack sexual interaction and closeness. One of the main reasons for this is people become involved with an emotionally bankrupt partner. Yet, this is almost impossible to determine at the outset because emotionally unavailable people can be excellent at deception, not exhibiting their true character until they have solidified their partner in the relationship. In addition, they have a way of making their emotionally healthy partner believe they are incompetent and crazy. When this happens, the emotionally healthy partner stays in an unsatisfying, frustrating, and sometimes abusive relationship for far too long. If marriage becomes a reality, they not only live in this emotionally unavailable partnership, but their children will have to as well. It is of critical importance to make sure your life partner is emotionally available, meaning they are capable of empathy and personal accountability within the relationship. If they are truly capable of empathy and are accountable within the relationship, emotional closeness can be achieved and sustained. Emotional closeness and the experience of empathy are necessary to alleviate anxiety and depression and they are the conduit for contentment and joy. The third requirement for a happy life is preserving the mind body connection and preventing a split. Emotionally unavailable or toxic people are good at creating a mind and body split in their partner because they attack their partner’s spirit through disrespect, hate, and humiliation. Get rid of an emotionally abusive partner and find a healthy one, and while you are doing so, play some tennis

Dr. Erin Leonard has been a practicing psychotherapist for 15 years. Currently, she practices in Indiana with Dr. Sonego and Associates. During her time at Children’s Memorial Medical Center, she was awarded the Shaw Research Award. She was recently a contributing expert to Time.com for a special feature on the 12 Worst habits For Your Mental Health. Dr. Leonard has also appeared on WGN and FOX affiliates in Dallas, Boston, Memphis, Atlanta and Phoenix. She is the author of 3 books: Adolescents with HIV, Depression and Adherence in Adolescents With HIV (2008) Emotional Terrorism, Breaking the Chains of a Toxic Relationship (2014) The Battle Against Juvenile Bullying: The Plague of Child and Teen Bullying and How to Stop It (2014) Dr. Leonard graduated with her Master’s degree from The University of Michigan, and her Doctoral degree, with a child and adolescent specialization, from The Institute of Clinical Social Work.