Life & Love

I am a trained professional that will elevate your relationships and enrich your life. Embrace the path to happiness and fulfillment with valuable insights and practical tips.

You deserve to live your best life.


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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Why Open Relationships Don’t Work Long Term

Open relationships promise freedom, honesty, and expanded love — but many couples discover that the very things that make them appealing at first can slowly unravel the foundation of trust, stability, and emotional safety needed for long-term commitment. While they can work for some, most people eventually find that the complications outweigh the benefits. Here’s why open relationships often don’t stand the test of time.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

ADHD Surge: What’s Fueling the Explosion in Diagnoses?

ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions have soared since the COVID‑19 era. This post explores what ADHD truly is, why so many new diagnoses emerged after 2019, how medication shortages then surges influenced treatment, and how commercial pressures may shape prescribing. Plus — a look at the dangers of overprescription and why you might want to watch Pain Killer before trusting big‑pharma narratives.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Lost the Spark After Kids? Here’s How to Reconnect

Feeling disconnected from your spouse while raising young children is common—and normal—but it can be stressful and confusing. Studies show that marital satisfaction often drops significantly in the first five years of parenthood, leaving many parents feeling emotionally distant or questioning their bond. This guide explores why interest fades, the effects on your family, and practical strategies to rebuild intimacy, communication, and emotional connection.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Is Your Loved One Hiding an Addiction?

Sometimes, behaviors that look like manipulation, deceit, or irresponsibility may stem from a covert addiction rather than a personality disorder. Understanding the subtle differences between hidden substance use and traits associated with ASPD can help families respond effectively, protect themselves, and seek the right support.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Recognizing Antisocial Traits in Your Adult Daughter

Searching for answers when your adult daughter shows patterns of chronic manipulation, emotional detachment, or harmful behavior can be deeply painful. Many people casually use the term “sociopathic,” but the clinically accurate condition is Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)—a long-standing pattern of behavior characterized by disregard for others, lack of remorse, impulsivity, and repeated violations of boundaries or social norms. While only a licensed clinician can make this diagnosis, understanding the typical patterns associated with ASPD can help you make sense of what you’re experiencing and take steps to protect your emotional well-being.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

How Do You Become More Confident? Start Here.

This guide shows you how to strengthen your sense of self, communicate with clarity, speak up with courage, and advocate for your needs in academic, career, and personal spaces. Learn practical exercises, mindset shifts, and real-world strategies inspired by modern confidence research and today’s most impactful books. If you’re ready to feel grounded, expressive, and authentically yourself—start here.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Cutting Off a Toxic Family: What Healing Really Takes

Estrangement from a toxic or dysfunctional family is one of the most emotionally challenging experiences a person can face. It is often misunderstood, stigmatized, and minimized in society. Yet for many, walking away is an essential act of self-preservation.

This comprehensive guide explores the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of estrangement, why maintaining contact with toxic relatives can be harmful, how to protect yourself from re-traumatization, and most importantly, how to cultivate a chosen family that brings genuine love, safety, and support.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Dear Husband, I Love You—But I Need You to See Me

You often think the goalpost keeps moving. That what I ask for today is different from what I wanted last month. That I’m never fully satisfied. But what you experience as “shifting expectations” is usually something simpler and far more human:

I am overwhelmed. I am tired. And I am asking for help.

Not because you’re failing, but because I can’t carry this alone.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Hey Dads, Are You Showing Up Enough?

Many husbands feel their wives keep “moving the goalposts,” but what’s really happening is a call for partnership in the overwhelming load of modern family life. Today, I’ll break down what invisible labor really is and show you how to step into your highest potential—becoming the kind of husband your wife not only needs, but genuinely values and admires.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

30 Days to Heal: A Journaling Journey for Adult Children of Alcoholic Parents

Adult children of alcoholic parents often carry invisible scars: deep sadness, sudden anger, hypervigilance, guilt, and confusion about their own identity. This 30‑day journaling journey is designed to help you gently unpack those wounds, begin reframing your inner narrative, and practice daily emotional habits that steer you toward strength, compassion, and freedom.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Healing Sadness and Anger from an alcoholic parent

Why do so many adult children of alcoholic parents carry deep sadness, short fuses, and emotional confusion—even decades later? This post breaks down the psychology, brain wiring, and emotional impact of growing up with an alcoholic parent—and shows how to start healing today.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

When AI Therapy Warps the Mind

AI chatbots are becoming emotional companions for millions. Learn how they can support mental health, when they cross into fantasy, and why prolonged reliance risks slipping into something closer to psychosis than reality.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

The 3-3 Rule: Viral Wellness Hack or Just Another Trend?

People love numbers because numbers feel like control. 3,000 steps? Check. One-third of your water? Check. 30 grams of protein? Done. The list is short, clear, and measurable. Unlike vague advice like “be healthier” or “get more active,” the 3-3 Rule tells you exactly what to do — and exactly when to do it. That kind of clarity is irresistible when your life already feels overloaded.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Grief Has No Timeline

Grief isn’t linear, and it doesn’t follow neat stages. Learn why healing looks different for everyone, how modern grief research reframes loss, and why it’s okay to take the time your mind and body need.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Should Couples Sleep in Separate Rooms?

More couples are choosing separate bedrooms, not as a sign of trouble, but as a strategy for rest and connection. Learn the pros, cons, and how to know if it’s right for your relationship.

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Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Confabulation: Their truth, not the truth

Confabulation happens when alcohol or substance use distorts memory, creating false but convincing “truths.” Learn why it feels like lying, how different patterns of drinking and drug use warp reality, and what that means for you.

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