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Anna Elton, PhD, LMFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Anna Elton, PhD, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Sexologist, Speaker, and Author based in Florida. With over 15 years of experience, she works with individuals, couples, and families both nationally and internationally. Dr. Elton is an author and the founder of the non-profit “I Care We All Care". She is also the host of Life, Love, Etc., a bi-weekly relationship show reaching over 100,000 viewers per episode. Her clinical work and insights have been featured on PBS, FOX, ABC, and NBC, and she contributes regularly to Psychology Today through her blog Life, Love, Etc.

Education

  • PhD., Clinical Sexology, Modern Sex Therapy Institutes
  • MS, Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Massachusetts, Boston
  • BS, Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Professional Achievements

  • Host of Life, Love, Etc., a bi-weekly relationship show
  • Contributing writer for Psychology Today
  • Speaker at national and international conferences including IFTA World Family Therapy Congress
  • Author of The Formula of Desire focusing on relationships and emotional wellness
  • Recognized as one of 40 under 40’ and awarded Top LMFT in 2021 by the International Association of Top Professionals

Certifications & Organizations

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  • Certified Clinical Sexologist
  • Certified TF-CBT/DBT Professional
  • Member: AAMFT, IFTA, IAMFC

Favorite Piece of Advice

Although you cannot alter the past, you have the power to learn from it, so that you can prepare better for the future.

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Q&A Comments (17)

How can cognitive dissonance impact relationships?
Cognitive dissonance can really affect relationships, particularly communication between partners. When someone says one thing but then does something else, it's confusing and comes across as "Do as I say, not as I do." Clear expectations and open communication are so important in relationships. But cognitive dissonance goes against that - it introduces inconsistencies between beliefs and actions that strain understanding. And it's not just about the outward behaviors. It goes deeper in terms of the misalignment between what someone believes and how they act. This unpredictability and mixed messaging can put a lot of stress on a relationship, as partners struggle to grasp each other's true feelings and intentions.
Why might some men choose to cross dress in today's society?
Cross dressing gives a sense of freedom to choose how to express yourself. While in the past cross dressing may have been judged more harshly, today's society is becoming more accepting, which allows people to be themselves more freely. Some men might cross dress as a way to explore their identity or feelings, possibly to see how they relate to gender identity. But in many cases, it's simply expressing outwardly how they feel inside. From what I've seen with clients, many have always had these inner inclinations but didn't feel brave enough to act on them openly before. The shift towards more acceptance has given them the courage to let their inner self manifest outwardly through cross dressing.
How can I approach my teenage or pre-teen daughter who has become distant, especially when she seems to prefer spending time with her peers over family?
It's totally normal for teens and pre-teens to want to spend more time with friends and less family time. If your daughter has been more distant, especially with puberty changes, it's important to balance giving her independence while still keeping some family bonding. One thing that has worked for many families is setting specific times for both. For example, give her an hour of "alone time" with no interruptions from family. And then also pick another hour for intentional "family time" where you have dinner together and chat. This allows her to get that independence she's craving, while also making sure there's predictable family interaction to maintain trust and closeness.
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Co-authored Articles (17)

How to Handle a Cross Dressing Husband

Maintaining a marriage when your husband wears women’s clothingWhen your husband tells you that he cross dresses, it can be disconcerting. You probably have never pictured your husband wearing women’s clothing or put...

How to

Tell if Your Teenager Is Having Sex

With the advances in technology and media, teenagers are bombarded with sexual content and may be more inclined to engage in sexual activity. This, combined with their typical privacy and moodiness, makes it difficult as...

How to Handle a Busy Boyfriend

Guidance on dealing with anxiety when your boyfriend is busyDo you wish your boyfriend had more time to spend with you? If your beau always seems to be busy with work, school, or other obligations, it can put a strain on...

How to Tell if an Introverted Girl Likes You

An introverted girl may be more quiet and maybe even shy, but she’s caught your eye. She’d rather spend the weekend at home curled up in her pjs, watching a good movie, and eating pizza—what’s not to like about ...

How to Help a Depressed Friend

Everything you need to know to support & comfort a friend who is struggling with depressionDepression is a serious medical condition that affects many people. If you have a friend who is suffering from depression and you...

How to

Respond when You Find Out Your Girlfriend has Another Boyfriend

Finding out your girlfriend has another boyfriend can be incredibly hurtful and painful. It’s not easy to find out that the one you want to be with wants to be with someone else (even if they ''also'' want to be with y...

How to Know Who Your Secret Admirer Is: Clues to Look For

Understand the meaning of any messages left by a secret admirerWho is your secret admirer? It can be hard to tell who's been secretly sending you gifts or romantic messages, especially when they don't want you to find ou...

How to

Get Adult Kids to Pay Their Share

Not quite ready to push your adult fledglings out of the nest yet but getting fed up with their lack of contributions to the household budget? This article will provide you with some ideas on what to do to make the budge...

How to

Deal with Secret Enemies

Have you been dealing with a secret enemy and don’t know what to do anymore? Are you tired of all the stress and anger that your secret enemy has caused you? Don’t waste any more of your time and energy: with the hel...

A Guide to Platonic Marriage: Meaning, Advantages & More

Is tying the knot with your best friend the right choice for you?A platonic marriage is typically when two friends who aren’t sexually or romantically involved decide to get married to each other. Platonic marriages ar...

How to

Enjoy a Lazy Day

We’ve all had those days where we just don’t feel like doing anything. You’ve been working hard all week, you haven’t gotten enough sleep and the more you tack onto you “to-do” list, the more your motivation ...

How to

Cope With Post Holiday Syndrome

After spending a wonderful holiday over the Christmas and New Year period, some people feel blue and find that it's difficult to function normally in their daily rhythm. As defined by the DSM IV, holiday blues, holiday d...

How to

Enjoy New Year's Eve at Home With Your Family

Spending New Year's Eve with at home with your family can be a fantastic opportunity to bond, have fun together, and bring in the New Year with your loved ones. With all the possibilities for fun food, drinks, games and ...

How to

Date a Workaholic

There are those of us who cringe at the idea of working weekends, and there are those who thrive in it. When the two worlds collide, the dating can be rocky, with both parties feeling dissatisfied. It is possible to dat...

How to

Ask a Boyfriend out on a Date

It's your turn to decide what to do and where to go on the next date. Yet, if you feel a little worried that he might not like your suggestion, or you simply lack any ideas at all about where to suggest you both go, this...

How to

Get Into the Spirit of Christmas when You Don't Feel It Any More

Christmas time is here, by golly, but do you really want to deck the halls with boughs of holly? Are you left cold by the commercialism, and yearn for a simpler time when the season felt special, imbued with a spirit tha...

How to

Get Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit

When you grow older, family pressures, work commitments, loneliness, or other things can make you to lose the wondrous spirit of Christmas. When money is tight and time is as well, you can end up feeling disappointed, sa...