Imagining the Future Helps Couples Resolve Present Arguments More Easily

Last updated on: August 1, 2016 at 8:11 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

A new study published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science found that thinking about the future helps couples focus on their feelings and reasoning strategies. “When romantic partners argue over things like finances, jealousy, or other interpersonal issues, they tend to employ their current feelings as fuel for a heated argument. By envisioning their relationship in the future, people can shift the focus away from their current feelings and mitigate conflicts,” said researcher Alex Huynh. Previous research has shown that taking... Read more

Just THINKING About Marriage Inspires More Responsibility in Young Adults

Last updated on: July 28, 2016 at 9:06 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

Sociologically, we know that marriage, itself, socializes people. For instance, very few violent crimes are committed by married men as opposed to single or cohabiting men. It turns out, however, that new research shows that even the thought that “I want to be married in the next five years” inspires greater responsibility and maturing in young adults. “This is a reminder that marriage still matters,” said Claire Kamp Dush, co-author and professor of human sciences at Ohio State. “Just the... Read more

A Different Kind of Fatherhood for All Men?

Last updated on: July 28, 2016 at 8:28 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

A guest blog by Pastoral Solutions Institute pastoral counseling associate, Dave McClow, M.Div., LISW, LMFT. The Ultimate Challenge, at least in this column, is about men and faith. But today I will use an example of a fictional female character to illustrate a different kind of fatherhood. C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce tells the story of a man from hell who takes a bus tour of Heaven. He sees some “bright Spirits.” Amongst them is a lady surrounded by musicians, and boys... Read more

Why Most Bad Parenting Advice Begins with “But My Pediatrician Said…”

Last updated on: July 27, 2016 at 2:38 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

Let me say up front, this is NOT an article bashing the medical professions in general, or pediatricians, in particular. I LOVE physicians. I LOVE pediatricians ESPECIALLY. They do tremendous (and often thankless) work. Contrary to a lot of stupid opinions on the internet, when it comes to treating sick children, there is no one better to turn to than your friendly neighborhood pediatrician. In particular, my kids’ pediatrician is awesome. She has gotten my kids through many illnesses and... Read more

What’s Up With All Those Catholic “Rules” About Marriage?

Last updated on: July 25, 2016 at 12:16 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

My latest for OSV Newsweekly… I recently received the following question about the Church’s requirements for weddings and marriages: “My girlfriend is a Protestant, and her mother recently asked her a question that I haven’t been able to find much information on. She asked, ‘Why can’t a Protestant and a Catholic have a Protestant marriage recognized by the Catholic Church?’ My understanding is with the proper dispensation, it is possible. I couldn’t really explain, though, why a dispensation is required... Read more

5 Ways Spiritual Direction Can Change YOUR Life

Last updated on: July 24, 2016 at 7:32 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

A guest blog by Deacon Dominic Cerrato, Ph.D., Director of the Pastoral Solutions Institute’s Spiritual Direction Program. Traditionally, spiritual direction was most closely associated with clergy and religious as part of growth in the interior life. Throughout the history of the Church, few lay people received formal spiritual direction relying instead on the confessional and private devotions. As a result of the Second Vatican Council with its emphasis on the vocation of the laity, spiritual direction is no longer primarily... Read more

Twice As Much Sex Makes Relationships About Half As Good.

Last updated on: July 20, 2016 at 4:12 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

Sorry, guys. CARNEGIE MELLON RESEARCHERS FIND MORE SEX DOESN’T LEAD TO INCREASED HAPPINESS By Shilo Rea Countless research and self-help books claim that having more sex will lead to increased happiness, based on the common finding that those having more sex are also happier. However, there are many reasons why one might observe this positive relationship between sex and happiness. Being happy in the first place, for example, might lead someone to have more sex (what researchers call ‘reverse causality’),... Read more

Got Spiritual Direction? New Resource Helps YOU Get the Most from Your Spiritual Life!

Last updated on: September 29, 2016 at 5:07 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

You don’t have to be a saint to want to draw closer to God or have more confidence in what he wants for your life. Spiritual direction is an important ministry that helps people at every stage of the spiritual walk draw closer to God and have more confidence in his will for their lives. In fact, the Church acknowledges the incredible value of spiritual direction and encourages anyone who is serious about their spiritual walk to seek a competent,... Read more

Antidepressants for a Bad Marriage Yield Depressing Results.

Last updated on: July 13, 2016 at 1:53 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

New research shows that doctors regularly diagnose patients as “depressed” when they complain about marital and relationship problems. The problem is, being sad about a bad marriage isn’t depression, and anti-depressants can’t treat marital woes. From PsychCentral New research finds that psychiatrists nearly always respond with prescriptions for antidepressants when clients complain of bad marriages. The medical definition of depression does not support the assumption that people struggling with their marriage or other domestic issues are depressed and require antidepressants, said Dr. Jonathan M. Metzl,... Read more

Parents vs. iPhone: A Problem of Liturgy?

Last updated on: July 12, 2016 at 10:30 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

A guest blog by Pastoral Solutions Institute clinical counseling associate, Dave McClow, M.Div., LMFT, LISW. A 13-year-old boy, Peter, was anxious, even compulsive, melting down whenever his parents asked something of him, especially to get off his iPhone or iPad and re-engage in the human race–specifically, his family life. I know this is not extremely uncommon. I was working primarily with the mother, who was having difficulty engaging her husband. He seemed too busy, and she hesitated to bother him. Having low... Read more