Lauren Urban, LCSW

8 Common Family Structures in Modern-Day Society

Plus, the strengths and weaknesses of each type of family How many different family structures are there, and is any one type considered “the norm”? We’re here to tell you everything you need to know. “Family str...

How to

Know if You Are Genderfluid

Gender fluidity refers to changes in a person's gender expression, gender identity, or both throughout time. This shift might be in expression but not in identity, or in identity but not in expression. Both can occur tog...

How to

Talk With a Gay or Lesbian Person

The best tips for chatting with gay people and being a good ally If you are an ally of the LGBT+ community, you may be concerned about behaving in a way that supports that attitude. If you struggle to accept gay people,...

What’s the Difference Between “Queer” and “Gay”?

Everything you need to know about these LGBTQ termsYou may have heard members of the LGBTQ+ community referring to themselves as “gay,” “queer,” or both. But what exactly do these terms mean, and how are they dif...

How to Stop a Gaming Addiction

Learn how to prevent gaming addiction & recognize the signsPlaying video games casually can be a great way to unwind and have fun. But if you’re so fixated on gaming that it feels like it’s taking over your life, you...

20 Things to Consider when Dating a Man Who Has a Child (When You Don't)

Know what to expect from a relationship with a single fatherDating a man with a child from a previous relationship can feel overwhelming, but it can also be a wonderful and rewarding experience, even if you don’t have ...

How to Be and Stay Celibate

A guide to embracing and maintaining your celibacy journey Living a life of celibacy can be hard at times, but it’s also rewarding. Whether you’re celibate by choice or circumstances, it’s possible to live a health...

Telling Your Friend You're Gay & You Have Feelings For Them

Expert tips on how to navigate this sensitive situationSo, you’ve recently had an epiphany: you’ve fallen in love with your friend. It's natural that you want to be honest with your friend about your sexuality and yo...

How to

Quit Drinking Alcohol

If you’re looking at this page, then it means you’re interested in making a positive change in your life. Now's a great time to turn that into a concrete plan and take immediate action, while you feel that motivation...

What Is the Black Sheep of the Family? (Plus, 5 Signs to Look Out For)

Discover if you’re the black sheep & how to deal with it You may have heard people describe themselves as the “black sheep of the family,” but what exactly does it mean? This popular term describes a personality ty...

How to Come Out to Your Parents as Gay or Lesbian

A guide to breaking the news and handling their reactionComing out to your parents can be a joyous, empowering experience—but it can also be nerve-wracking and even scary. If you’re unsure how to tell your parents yo...

How to

Practice Nonviolent Communication

Nonviolent Communication ('''NVC''') includes a simple method for clear, empathic communication, consisting of four areas of focus: *Observations *Feelings *Needs *Requests NVC aims to find a way for all present to g...

How to Limit Social Media and Internet Use: 11 Expert Tips

A comprehensive guide to help you manage your social media and internet use Social media and the internet are powerful tools that are an important part of our everyday lives. We use them to learn, communicate, work, and ...

How to

Convince Your Parents to Let You Switch Schools

School is an important part of your life. You want to make sure that you’re somewhere you feel comfortable and enjoy. It might take time to convince your parents that you need to switch schools, but if you have good re...

How to

Help Someone Having a Panic Attack

Witnessing a friend have a panic attack can be an alarming thing. You feel helpless in what seems like a straightforward situation (but often isn't). To help the episode pass as swiftly as possible, follow these guidelin...

How to

Feel Less Dysphoric when Closeted

Transgender and non-binary people often experience distress due to their sex or assigned gender not matching their lived gender identity. This is called "gender dysphoria." Gender dysphoria can be especially hard to cope...

How to

Cope when You Find out Your Parent Is Having an Affair

When you find out a parent is having an affair, it can be hard to feel like life is normal, but you can cope with this and move forward by establishing productive ways to process your emotions, such as therapy or simply ...

How to Quit Cheating and Rebuild Your Relationship After Infidelity

If you want to know how to stop cheating, you're already on the road to recovery. Not only does infidelity negatively impact your partner, but it can also leave you with unresolved guilt. Here, we'll share expert-backed ...

How to Get Out of a Codependent Relationship

Helpful tips for leaving & healing from a codependent relationship A codependent relationship can manifest in many ways: you may feed into your partner’s alcoholism or be a people pleaser who’s afraid to say no. The ...

What Are the Most Important Things in a Relationship? 12 Traits to Make Your Love Last

Sharing your life with someone is a wonderful thing, and having a loving partner can make you feel more fulfilled. While you surely know that love is a key component of a relationship, it takes more than love to make a r...