Philip Lewis Therapy

04/29/2026

How New Parents in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles Keep the Party Going!

Could the latest trend in parent party drugs actually be baby smiles?

Definitely yes—at least neurobiologically speaking.

Brain imaging studies show looking at your baby’s smile activates the same reward centers in the brain as addictive drugs and junk food.

In his book “The Myth of Normal,” Dr. Gabor Maté explains how baby smiles release a flood of natural opiates into the brain. According to Maté, this creates an “enchanting ballet of emotions” between parent and child to encourage the emotional attunement crucial for healthy development.

As a relationship therapist in Beverly Hills, though, I see how this natural process can also inadvertently disrupt the bond between parents. When nature is driving parent-child bonding, you must stay intentional about maintaining the connection with your partner.

Whether you are seeking a Beverly Hills therapist or virtual sessions throughout California, I help couples learn how to navigate this and other major life changes.
How are you and your partner creating “natural highs” with each other this week?

04/26/2026

IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP SAVING YOUR LIFE—OR SINKING IT? 🛟⚓

What if the secret to eternal youth isn't in a bottle, a spa, or a gym bag, but sitting right next to you? 🍎🧘‍♂️

Forget the powders, potions, “vampire” facials, and lotions. The science is clear:

Your relationships are the single most important factor
in how long, and how well you live.

In my latest article, I explore how the toxic stress of today’s world might literally be cutting your life short—and why it’s crucial to seek out “IRL” social connections instead of scrolling your life away on social media.

Read the full post here: https://www.mytherapistphil.com/post/relationship-therapy-just-might-save-your-life

04/26/2026

IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP SAVING YOUR LIFE—OR SINKING IT? 🛟⚓

What if the secret to eternal youth isn't in a bottle, a spa, or a gym bag, but sitting right next to you? 🍎🧘‍♂️

Forget the powders, potions, “vampire” facials, and lotions. The science is clear:

Your relationships are the single most important factor
in how long, and how well you live.

In my latest article, I explore how the toxic stress of today’s world might literally be cutting your life short—and why it’s crucial to seek out “IRL” social connections instead of scrolling your life away on social media.

Read the full post here: https://www.mytherapistphil.com/post/relationship-therapy-just-might-save-your-life

04/20/2026

Is marriage the ultimate longevity hack?

Maybe not the “ultimate”, but research consistently shows that, on average, married couples live longer than their single peers. When looking at long-term health risks, a stable partnership can make a world of difference.

But marriage is not a longevity insurance policy. In fact, research shows that being in a chronically unhappy relationship can actually increase your health risks even more than just being single.

As a relationship therapist in Beverly Hills and a certified Relational Life Therapy (RLT) Couples Coach, I see the heavy price couples pay when living in high-conflict or emotionally distant marriages. The goal isn’t just to be married; it’s to build a relationship that actually supports—and potentially extends—your life.

If you’re concerned about the health of your own relationship, an experienced couples therapist can help you find your way back to connection.

I help couples transform their relationships so they can finally have the life they want together—and perhaps stay around a bit longer to enjoy it. I provide couples therapy in person at my Beverly Hills office, and online couples therapy sessions for clients anywhere in California and Florida.

I offer a free, 15-minute phone consultation to discuss if Relational Life Therapy is right for you. It’s an opportunity to answer your questions, such as “How does couples therapy work?”, “Is virtual couples therapy effective?”, and “How much is couples therapy?”

🔗 Click the link to schedule.
https://www.mytherapistphil.com/couples-therapy-and-marriage-counseling-near-you-los-angeles

For more information on this topic, see The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate, M.D. and the studies cited therein.

12/16/2025

Grateful to be asked to contribute to this important USA Today article exploring addiction, recent highly public family tragedies, and the ripple effects these weighty issues have not only on the families involved, but on the broader community as well.

A mother and father dead. A son arrested. A nation in shock. What happens when a family experiences the unimaginable?

12/16/2025

Words of wisdom attributed to the scrappy, yet ever adventurous and adorable beagle.

(Unattributed fan art)

12/03/2025

🎁 Is Your Secret Santa a Narcissist?

Here's an article that grows more and more relevant over the holidays!

The holidays have a way of magnifying everything in a relationship — the good, the stressful, and sometimes… the unsettling.

If you’ve ever opened a gift from your partner and thought:
“Wait… what does this even SAY about us?”
or
“Why does this feel off?”
— you’re not imagining it.

Gift-giving can be a window into deeper relational patterns.
For healthy couples, gifts reflect thoughtfulness, care, and emotional connection.

But in strained or toxic relationships, gifting can get weaponized — used for control, validation, manipulation, or to avoid responsibility.

If you’ve ever felt uneasy or confused by your partner’s “generosity,” this breakdown might give you the insight you’ve been looking for.

👉 Read the full article here:
https://www.mytherapistphil.com/post/can-holiday-gifts-reveal-red-flags-in-a-relationship

If someone you care about might need to hear this, please feel free to share.

No one should spend the holidays second-guessing their reality.

Observing how your partner approaches gift-giving can provide valuable insight into the strength or weakness of your relationship.

12/03/2025

Holiday breakup dilemma?

Before you decide to stay, go, or wait until January, ask yourself these 5 essential questions.

They could save you from making a painful, rushed decision:

👉 https://www.mytherapistphil.com/post/couples-therapist-reveals-5-questions-you-must-explore-before-breaking-up-during-holidays

As always, if you’re feeling stuck, I’m here to help.

5 Key Questions You Must Ask Before Calling it QuitsHolidays can bring out both the best and the worst in romantic relationships.The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve can be especially challenging for couples. Shopping pressures, toxic family dynamics, and increased spending stress can...

10/29/2025

Some people stay calm in conflict — others spiral or shut down.
The difference often traces back to what we learned about relationships growing up.
 
Your attachment style is the relational pattern you developed early in life —
how you learned to feel safe, connect with others,
and manage difficult emotions when things get hard.
 
The good news? Attachment style isn’t fixed in stone.
With mindful awareness and safe relationships,
you can earn security —
a steadier, more trusting way to love and be loved.
 

10/13/2025

🌿New Article: How to Rescue Your Relationship by Being “Wrong”

Most couples think the secret to a happy relationship is winning arguments — proving who’s “right.”

But what if that belief is actually destroying your connection?

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.mytherapistphil.com/post/rescue-your-relationship-by-being-wrong-how-couples-therapy-los-angeles-helps

In my latest article, I explain why trying to win every argument backfires — and how embracing different subjective ‘truths’ can actually bring you closer. You’ll learn:

💡 Why partners often remember the same event so differently
💡 How our personal brain filters shape “truth” in relationships
💡 Practical strategies to stop the cycle of objectivity battles and start communicating relationally

10/11/2025

Some people think the secret to relationship bliss is making sure they’re the one who’s always right.

But the real magic happens when couples stop keeping score.

In fact, being “wrong” is sometimes the wisest relational move you can make to rescue your marriage.
 
👉 Tap the link in bio to read my new article: How to Rescue Your Relationship by Being “Wrong.”

💬 So, do you want to be right—or do you want to be in a relationship?


 
Shout out to — founder of Relational Life Therapy, couples “whisperer,” and my imaginary mentor (he just doesn’t know it yet) for his oft-repeated, wise gem: “Do you want to be right, or do you want to be married?” (A quote also referenced in his New York Times bestselling book “Us” p.46)

09/15/2025

High achievers know how to solve problems, maximize potential, and push through challenges.

But addiction recovery can feel like the one problem that won’t budge.

Here’s the good news: your past isn’t a liability. It’s the raw material for success. By reimagining your story, you can rewire your brain, strengthen recovery, and turn substance abuse setbacks into fuel for growth.

👉 Read more in my new article: https://www.mytherapistphil.com/post/addiction-recovery-professionals-transform-substance-abuse-into-success

Discover how high performing professionals use addiction recovery to transform past substance into a success story. Learn the strategies high achievers apply to fuel growth and solidify lasting sobriety.