Life & Love

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Breaking Generational Trauma: How to End the Cycle for Good
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Breaking Generational Trauma: How to End the Cycle for Good

Generational trauma is not just a concept — it is a pattern living inside your body, your relationships, and your responses to the world. This post breaks down what it actually is, what the science says, and exactly how to stop passing it down.

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Done Being Tired: How to Combat Fatigue and Beat It for Good
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Done Being Tired: How to Combat Fatigue and Beat It for Good

Tired of being tired? Chronic fatigue has deeper roots than most people realize — and coffee is not the answer. A science-backed guide to what is actually draining you and how to rebuild real, lasting energy from the inside out.

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Long Marriage, Lost Connection — What Now?
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Long Marriage, Lost Connection — What Now?

You already know something needs to change — in your relationship, your life, or both. The answers you have been looking for are not found in generic advice or empty reassurance. They are found in honest, clear, experience-backed insight from someone who has worked with thousands of people in exactly your situation. Start reading and start shifting.

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Love is Blind: An Ohio Experiment Through a Couples Counselor's Eyes (Episodes 1-6)
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Love is Blind: An Ohio Experiment Through a Couples Counselor's Eyes (Episodes 1-6)

As a couples counselor, I've seen it all – the beautiful beginnings, the challenging middles, and sometimes, the heartbreaking ends of relationships. When Netflix’s Love is Blind landed in my own backyard with the Ohio season, I couldn't resist putting on my professional hat to dissect what really happened in those pods and beyond. Join me as I break down the science of attraction, the crucial conversations often missed.

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The God Gene? Exploring the Biological Roots of Belief
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

The God Gene? Exploring the Biological Roots of Belief

Is faith a choice, or is it hardwired into our DNA? While culture and upbringing play massive roles, modern science suggests that our genetic makeup and brain chemistry might tilt the scales. Drawing on insights from Robert Sapolsky’s Behave, we dive into the fascinating neurobiology that separates the devout from the skeptical. Explore the evolutionary advantages and disadvantages of our genetic predisposition towards (or away from) religious belief.

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Micro-Moments That Strengthen Marriage
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Micro-Moments That Strengthen Marriage

Discover how micro-gestures and shared experiences strengthen long-term marriage by creating deeper connection through everyday moments. Research shows that consistent, small acts of attention, care, and presence—rather than occasional grand gestures—play a critical role in building trust, emotional intimacy, and lasting satisfaction over time. By focusing on thoughtful daily practices and shared experiences, couples can nurture closeness, reinforce emotional safety, and sustain a meaningful partnership throughout the many seasons of marriage.

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Beyond Dry January: Embracing a Mostly Sober Lifestyle
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Beyond Dry January: Embracing a Mostly Sober Lifestyle

Over time, living intentionally with alcohol transforms more than just your drinking habits. It cultivates a lifestyle centered on choice, awareness, and purpose. You develop the freedom to enjoy life fully without relying on intoxication, and you learn to find joy, connection, and fulfillment in everyday moments rather than through substances. By prioritizing health, relationships, and personal growth, a mostly sober lifestyle can lead to long-term satisfaction, deeper emotional bonds, and a life lived with balance, clarity, and intentionality.

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Dry January: Reset Your Health and Relationships
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Dry January: Reset Your Health and Relationships

I’m happy to say that Dry January — the month-long challenge of abstaining from alcohol at the start of the year — has grown into a global phenomenon, offering people a chance to reset habits, improve health, and rethink their relationship with alcohol. Millions participate annually, gaining physical benefits, mental clarity, and a fresh perspective on drinking.

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Habits of Happy Long-Term Married Couples
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Habits of Happy Long-Term Married Couples

Long-term marriages don’t stay strong by accident. Couples married for decades who report high satisfaction tend to share a set of daily habits that protect emotional connection, deepen intimacy, and help them grow together through life’s changes.

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Why Open Relationships Don’t Work Long Term
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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ADHD Surge: What’s Fueling the Explosion in Diagnoses?
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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Lost the Spark After Kids? Here’s How to Reconnect
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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Is Your Loved One Hiding an Addiction?
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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How Do You Become More Confident? Start Here.
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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