Posts by Heather Setrakian, MA
Ms. Setrakian is the co-investigator eHarmony Labs' Marriage and Family Development Study, the largest study of its kind undertaken by a corporation. She has also co-created the Interpersonal Chemistry and Communication in Dating studies for eHarmony Labs. Ms. Setrakian has presented at several professional and academic associations, including the Association for Psychological Science, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology and the International Association for Relationship Research. Ms. Setrakian received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Her undergraduate degree of Psychology and American Literature was awarded from University of California, Los Angeles.
Listen to this: A certain type of gossip can be a good thing for you and your date.
Touching is tied to several components of a healthy relationship. It is so influential that even watching someone being touched can cause the same reaction as if we were touched ourselves. At what point in your relationship do you consider public displays of affection acceptable?
Romantic promises have the instant benefit of making one feel like the other truly loves and cares for them. The risk is what happens when that promise is not fulfilled, or flat out broken. We have all come in contact with people who promise something with all the love and authenticity in their heart, and then completely forget about it the very next day. What gives?
Unrealistic expectations are biased notions of how one should behave. Common clues include words “should,” “always,” and “never;” these reflect rules that can often undermine love in relationships. Do you have too many rules?
As yet another celebrity marriage bites the dust, one wonders if these two actually talked about the realities of the future more than the endorsements for the wedding ceremony. What can dating couples learn from Kris and Kim’s demise? What are some myths about love that can upend any relationship?
When I read the eHarmony community boards, I see a lot of great advice given by members. But do you follow your own advice? Knowing the right thing to do in relationships and actually choosing to do it are not always tied together. Find out why.
If you were dating someone you wanted to marry, how long would you wait for the ring before you started to wonder whether your partner was ever going to propose?
What happens when the honeymoon ends and marital conflict begins? You might question the love between you two, and whether it was a mistake to get married. But don’t panic yet. Here’s how to spot and avoid red flags in conflict.
Many of you might think the only way to confirm that you are in an exclusive relationship is to sit your partner down, take an impressive deep breath and launch the phrase “So… where do you see us going?” What are clues that someone can use to verify their relationship is serious- without “the conversation”?
Building up the confidence and courage to approach others can be difficult- especially for those that have low self esteem. Being fearful of rejection may make you to behave as if you have already been rejected. While it is meant to be protective, it sometimes causes the thing you fear the most. Here are some simple steps you can try at home to raise your self esteem, and your resilience in dealing with others.
Connect with us
Meet our bloggers
-
Gian Gonzaga, Ph.D., Senior Director of Research & Development
-
Grant Langston, Senior Director of Content, eHarmony Advice
-
Jeannie Assimos, Managing Editor, eHarmony Advice
-
Erina Lee, Director, Senior Research Scientist
-
Heather Setrakian, MA, Researcher
-
Emily Maywood, MS, Researcher
-
Jonathan Beber, Researcher
-
Becky Teraoka, Corporate Communications
