Emily Whitacre - Counselor, Coach, Consultant

01/02/2026

Start your year and your relationship off right!! 😍🥰 Make that kiss last!

We're the people who put couples in a lab and studied what actually helps them stay connected. So when we say a 6 second kiss matters, it is not a guess. 😘
In decades of research with thousands of couples, we found that relationships thrive on small, everyday moments of connection. The Six Second Kiss is one of the simplest. It is just long enough to interrupt the rush of the day, shift your focus to your partner, and quietly add to your emotional “bank account.” Over time, those seconds help with fondness, admiration, and even stress levels.
As you think about what you want this new year to feel like between you and your partner, consider adding this research backed ritual to the mix. Twice a day is still under 90 seconds a week, and your relationship will feel it.
You can read more about it in our article, “The Six Second Kiss,” on the Gottman blog: https://bit.ly/3KbV6Ak

12/05/2025

Great choices (that aren’t necessarily a small screen!) for when you need a little boost!

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Who needs a dopamine hit! The cold, cloudy days can cause us to feel sluggish and down. Take a moment to help out to dopamine receptors and give them a little boost.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!!!

11/06/2025

Vulnerable moment:

I had to practice what I preach this morning when a tidal wave of anxiety hit.

Here’s what it really looked like:

Feelings hit, followed by tears and overwhelming sense of anxiety and failure (yes, I said failure). In the past I would have pushed through and told myself I didn’t have *time* to process what I was feeling.

But today I listened to my own words, and I got grounded. I let go of my perfectionist need to “stay on the routine” and I let my kids play with the dog for a few minutes while I just sat with the feeling, and breathed through it, and named it. AND- I reached out to someone I trust who was able to help me remember that sometimes I’m a little too hard on myself and it’s okay to just breathe. So I did.

Here’s what’s important for you to know:

-All-in, processing these feelings took about 10 minutes.
-My kids were FINE. They loved the few minutes they had playing with the dog, and they still left the house having accomplished all their tasks, and they weren’t late to school.
-The feeling didn’t follow me around all day, and it didn’t interrupt my day like it would have if I had just bottled it up and pushed it down.

The takeaway? It’s ABSOLUTELY REASONABLE to take a few minutes to process a hard feeling.

Get grounded, name it, and breathe through it. And if you need to phone a friend, that’s okay too 🥰. We’re wired to do life together, with others.

10/31/2025

Relationships can be spooky, but having a happy one doesn’t have to be a mystery!!

09/18/2025

Truth! We were never meant to see or hear about ALL of the awful things happening in our world. At one point in time, we only knew what was happening in our villages, in our neighborhoods. Our nervous system can’t handle the overflow of non-stop (often negative) information we now have access to. Put your phone down, shut off the tv, get outside and hug someone real, you’ll feel better!

What you feed your body with nutrition matters, but what are your serving your head and your heart on a daily basis?  
 
If you want to learn more about the science and practical application of this, this is something I talk about at length on my on my podcast, in articles on Drwillcole.com and with telehealth patients to improve their labs.  
     
        
 

07/03/2025

Attention Huntington, IN!! A new workshop for couples is heading your way!

Learn to deepen your connection and build intimacy with your partner, regardless of what stage in your relationship you are in! Based on the scientific research of renowned Dr. John Gottman, you won't want to miss this fresh, fun, educational opportunity to bond with your spouse.

Reserve your spot today, space is limited!

Upcoming Workshop Announcement!

Based on the best-selling book, "7 Principles that Make Marriages Work" by renowned couples' expert Dr. John Gottman, this workshop will give you and your partner the opportunity to learn new skills to deepen your connection, no matter what stage of your relationship!

Led by our Co-Founder Emily Whitacre, LMHCA, this workshop is happening Aug 8-9th, 2025. Reserve your seats now, space is limited!

06/04/2025

I don’t care what example was taught in childhood, it’s not “manly” or “tough” to suppress or avoid your feelings. Your friends, coworkers, spouse, children and family can tell when there is something wrong.

I said what I said!

Speak Up, Reach Out

🧠💙 June is Men’s Mental Health Month 💙🧠

Every 60 seconds, we lose a man to su***de.
That’s 525,000 men every year — husbands, brothers, fathers, friends.

🚫 It’s not weak to feel.
🚫 It’s not weak to speak.
🚫 It’s not weak to ask for help.

👨‍⚕️ Men are less likely to seek support, yet struggle deeply.
Let’s break the stigma. Let’s change the narrative.

❌ MAN UP
✅ SPEAK UP

You matter. Your mental health matters. 💚

05/15/2025

Yes!!!

Mental Health = resilience and psychological flexibility. Which means being able to respond to stress, not being able to avoid it.

05/05/2025

Don’t second guess it. Send the text, make the call, check on people you love.

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03/15/2025