Gary Brown, PhD, LMFT

01/02/2026

New year, new approach. If “resolutions” fizzle by February, try this: set a clear direction, choose a few actions, and give them a timeframe. A simple 3-step plan to make change stick in 2026: https://www.garybrowntherapy.com/blog/resolutions-vs-goals-2026

12/19/2025

If going “home” stirs more dread than joy, you’re not a Grinch, and you’re not alone. You have options: clearer boundaries, different plans, or skipping the trip altogether. A compassionate guide to protecting your peace this season: https://www.garybrowntherapy.com/blog/you-dont-have-to-go-home-for-the-holidays-how-to-keep-your-sanity-in-check-when-you-come-from-a-toxic-family

Manage holiday stress with expert tips from a Bustle interview. Learn how to protect your mental health and navigate toxic family dynamics during the holidays.

12/17/2025

If joy feels out of reach this year, there’s help. Small steps—sleep, sunlight, simple boundaries—can make a real difference. A calm, nonjudgmental guide is here:

Struggling this holiday season? Stress, family drama, financial strain, or seasonal blues can all weigh heavy. Set boundaries, budget wisely, seek support, and take time for self-care.

11/26/2025

Holiday tables can get tense, especially in explosive news cycles when there’s always “one more bombshell.” If politics surface, here’s a calm, nonpartisan way to keep the peace: Practical tips here: https://www.garybrowntherapy.com/blog/16-essential-tips-for-navigating-political-discussions-peacefully-during-the-holidays-and-beyond

11/20/2025

Thinking about bringing your partner home for the holidays? Before you say yes, read this quick gut-check from a therapist on when it helps and when it can strain a good thing. Find out what to consider:
https://www.garybrowntherapy.com/blog/is-it-time-to-invite-your-so-home-for-the-holidays

Wondering if you should bring your SO home for the holidays? Discover key signs you're ready in this Elite Daily interview to navigate this relationship milestone.

11/19/2025

Healthy relationships don’t avoid conflict—they repair it. Use this guide to make a sincere apology that validates feelings and leads to real change. Start here: https://www.garybrowntherapy.com/blog/how-to-apologize-well

Master the art of a sincere apology to repair relationships. Learn how to express regret, take responsibility, and rebuild trust with these expert tips.

11/08/2025

Feeling ready for a shift but not sure where to start? This simple 7-stage map helps you find yourself in the process and choose one small next step — no perfection required. Read more: https://www.garybrowntherapy.com/blog/from-motivation-to-adoption-the-7-stages-for-lasting-change

Discover the 7 Stages of Growth—a simple, compassionate roadmap to lasting change. Learn how to move from motivation to adoption, one step at a time.

10/29/2025

Negative news and nonstop scrolling don’t just raise stress; they strain connections. Learn how to set humane media boundaries (and stop phubbing) so your relationships (and sleep) can breathe again.

https://www.garybrowntherapy.com/blog/negative-news-overload-how-to-protect-your-mental-health-online

Feeling tense after scrolling the news? You’re not alone. Learn how to protect your mental health online and set healthy boundaries in a 24/7 media world.

09/02/2025

I’m delighted to share some exciting news. I was recently featured in The Love Script, a new long-form documentary now streaming on AppleTV.

This inspiring project, directed by Paul Hannah, explores modern love by bringing together leading therapists and experts to offer perspective on relationships, healing, and connection. It was an honor to contribute alongside such a thoughtful group of colleagues.

If you’re interested in the complexities of love and the psychology of relationships, I encourage you to watch The Love Script on AppleTV.

Have you seen it yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

The Love Script is a robust documentary hybrid exploring modern love. Featuring top celebrity therapists, it offers deep insight on relationships, hea…

08/30/2025

Emotional affairs can be just as painful and damaging as physical ones, and they often start quietly, with unmet needs, subtle secrecy, or growing distance.

If you’ve ever wondered: What exactly counts as an emotional affair? What are the warning signs? And most importantly, how can couples begin to heal? This article may help.

In it, I share grounded insights on why emotional affairs happen, red flags to watch for, and practical steps for both partners, whether you suspect your partner is emotionally involved with someone else or you find yourself in one.

Healing and rebuilding trust is possible. It takes honesty, courage, and often professional support.

Read the full article here:

Emotional affairs may start innocently, but they can quietly erode trust and intimacy. Learn the signs, causes, and how to rebuild your relationship.

08/03/2025

Summer isn't always sunshine and ease.

If you’re feeling more burned out than blissed out, you’re not alone. Many people feel extra pressure in summer to do more, be more, and squeeze joy out of every moment.

In my latest article, I break down why summer can feel emotionally exhausting and offer real strategies for protecting your mental health through the heat.

Feeling more drained than refreshed this summer? You're not alone. Learn why the season can be exhausting—and how to find rest, joy, and balance amid the chaos.

05/29/2025

Ever find yourself trying to control things that are, well… uncontrollable?

Whether it’s someone else’s behavior, the news, your partner’s reaction, or even the traffic on the 405, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that control equals safety.

But what if the opposite is true?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about our collective craving for control; why we grip so tightly, and what happens when we learn to loosen that grip. In this latest post, I explore what control really is (and isn’t), how it affects our relationships, and the surprising freedom that comes from letting go.

I’d love to hear your take: What’s one thing you’ve learned to let go of that brought more peace to your life?

Read the full post here:
www.garybrowntherapy.com/blog/the-psychology-of-control-why-letting-go-sets-you-free

Letting go of control isn’t weakness, it’s freedom. Learn how releasing the need to manage everything opens the door to clarity, peace, and true agency.