ANTI-LONELINESS
  • Home
  • About
    • Me
    • Loneliness
    • The Project
    • My Team
    • Testimonials
    • Privacy Policy
  • Services
    • Therapy & Counseling
    • Couples Counseling
    • Online Counseling
    • Therapy Group
    • Supervision
    • Internship
    • Support Groups >
      • Divorce Support Group
      • Grief Support Group
  • Academy
    • Academy for All
    • All Courses
    • From Conflict to Connection
    • How to stop Perfectionism
    • How much of a Perfectionist are you?
    • Burnout Recovery: from exhaustion to resilience
    • How to stop Procrastinating
    • Σεμιναριο για τις σχεσεις
    • Divorce Recovery Programme
    • Grief Recovery Programme
  • Blog
    • Loneliness
    • Self-Development
    • Relationships
    • Family
  • RESOURCES
    • Extra Resources
    • In the Media
    • BOOKS >
      • Books for everyone
      • Books for professionals
    • CARDS
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
    • Me
    • Loneliness
    • The Project
    • My Team
    • Testimonials
    • Privacy Policy
  • Services
    • Therapy & Counseling
    • Couples Counseling
    • Online Counseling
    • Therapy Group
    • Supervision
    • Internship
    • Support Groups >
      • Divorce Support Group
      • Grief Support Group
  • Academy
    • Academy for All
    • All Courses
    • From Conflict to Connection
    • How to stop Perfectionism
    • How much of a Perfectionist are you?
    • Burnout Recovery: from exhaustion to resilience
    • How to stop Procrastinating
    • Σεμιναριο για τις σχεσεις
    • Divorce Recovery Programme
    • Grief Recovery Programme
  • Blog
    • Loneliness
    • Self-Development
    • Relationships
    • Family
  • RESOURCES
    • Extra Resources
    • In the Media
    • BOOKS >
      • Books for everyone
      • Books for professionals
    • CARDS
  • Contact

The Psychology of Friends: 6 Lessons About Relationships

26/5/2023

0 Comments

 

The Psychology of Friends: 6 Lessons About Relationships

friends-relationships
We all remember the famous dispute between Ross and Rachel from FRIENDS, passionately arguing over whether they were on a break or not. But beyond the comedic banter, these instances offer a glimpse into the intricate psychological landscapes of the characters. What lies beneath the surface? What do the storylines of the show reveal about the characters' mental lives and their complex relationship dynamics? Join us as we embark on a fascinating exploration, uncovering the psychological depths of the FRIENDS characters and gaining insights into their relationship issues and personal journeys.


Read More
0 Comments

Why Do We Avoid Uncomfortable and Difficult Conversations?

4/4/2023

0 Comments

 

Why Do We Avoid Uncomfortable and Difficult Conversations?

uncomfortable-conversations
Have you ever found yourself holding back from sharing your true feelings or opinions with someone close to you? Perhaps you have even tried to have that conversation before, only to regret it afterwards. If so, you are not alone. Many of us struggle with uncomfortable conversations, and as a result, we may avoid them altogether. In this article, we will explore the reasons why we tend to shy away from these types of discussions and how we can learn to approach them in a healthier way.


Read More
0 Comments

The 5 Core Emotional Needs of Every Relationship

9/3/2023

0 Comments

 

The 5 Core Emotional Needs of Every Relationship

emotional-needs-relationship
Relationships can be challenging, and even the strongest and healthiest relationships can hit bumps in the road. But what if there was a framework to understand the core emotional needs that underpin all relationships? Understanding these needs can help us build strong and fulfilling relationships, while neglecting them can lead to dissatisfaction and even the breakdown of a relationship.
​Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is one such framework that emphasizes the importance of meeting five core emotional needs in relationships: having a secure attachment, having fun, having boundaries, having autonomy, and having open communication. In this blog post, we will explore each of these emotional needs in more detail and how they can impact our relationships.


Read More
0 Comments

How To Build Meaningful Connections with Others

1/3/2023

0 Comments

 

How To Build Meaningful Connections with Others

build-connection
In today's world, where technology and social media dominate our interactions, it is easy to feel disconnected from those around us. However, research shows that building and maintaining strong connections with others is essential for our well-being and happiness. In this article, we will explore the many benefits of connection and how we can foster meaningful relationships in our lives.


Read More
0 Comments

6 Green Flags of Healthy Relationships According to a Therapist

27/2/2023

0 Comments

 

6 Green Flags of Healthy Relationships According to a Therapist

relationship-green-flags
Are you looking for signs that you and your partner are on the right track? Whether you are starting a new relationship or have been together for years, it is important to know what a healthy relationship looks like. In this article, we are going to explore six green flags that are positive indicators that your relationship is on the right track. These green flags are based on patterns that I have observed in my clinical practice, so you can trust that they are tried and true. So, let's dive in and discover the signs of a healthy and fulfilling relationship!


Read More
0 Comments

How to Get Over your Ex and Breakup According to a Therapist

20/12/2022

0 Comments

 

How to Get Over your Ex and Breakup According to a Therapist

get-over-ex
Everybody has gone through a breakup in their lives. Breakups are usually very painful. They can be profoundly hurtful emotional experiences, and sometimes we are not equipped with the right tools or knowledge in order to deal with such an experience. Sometimes we do not know what to do, and are trapped in an emotional rollercoaster. We might be going from one side to the other; from loving and being nostalgic about our (ex)partner, to hating our (ex)partner. Breakups are a transition, a journey in our lives where we might start to foster more self-love, self acceptance, and figure out what are the things that are important to ourselves. It is a moment of reflection where we can ask ourselves what is the type of relationships we want to have from here onwards. What is the person that we would like to be? In this article, I will help you navigate through the emotional turmoil that ensues after a breakup; we will discuss how can we better cope after a breakup.


Read More
0 Comments

The Five Love Languages: 3 Tips To Improve Your Relationship

19/12/2022

0 Comments

 

The Five Love Languages: 3 Tips To Improve Your Relationship

love-languages
Do you like showering your partner with compliments? Or, do you prefer buying them gifts? Perhaps you prefer touching and caressing them. Or, maybe you are more the type that likes to spend quality time together. We all have diverse ways with which we like to express and receive love. We all have different love languages.


Read More
0 Comments

Disorganized Attachment Style in Relationships: 2 Dating Tips

18/12/2022

0 Comments

 

Disorganized Attachment Style in Relationships: 2 Dating Tips

disorganized-attachment-relationship
Have you been in a relationship where your partner worships and loves you one day, and, on the next day, they act distant, aloof, and cold towards you? Have you been in a relationship where there is a lot of back-and-forths and ups-and-downs? A relationship that does not feel stable and  where you do not know what to expect from your partner. On one day, they are very close to you and on the other day, they are very far away from you; emotionally and mentally. In psychology, people that act like this in relationships are said to have a Disorganized Attachment Style. In this article, we are going to learn more about this attachment style, but, most importantly, we will learn how to communicate with a partner with this sort of style, and how to foster a healthier and more secure relationship.


Read More
0 Comments

How To Apologize The Right Way: Best Examples and Tips

7/12/2022

0 Comments

 

How To Apologize The Right Way: Best Examples and Tips

how-to-apologize
It is only human to make mistakes. We all commit errors, let other people down, and break promises. While we all commit mistakes, not everybody is adept at asking for forgiveness. Not everyone has been taught how to apologize in a way that is effective, sincere, and heartfelt. That is why today we will share with you the key ingredients for delivering a good apology.


Read More
0 Comments

What is Gaslighting in Psychology? 10+ Signs and Examples

5/12/2022

0 Comments

 

What is Gaslighting in Psychology? 10+ Signs and Examples

what-is-gaslighting-examples
"No. I never said that." "See, I told you it was all in your head." "What are you even talking about?" "You are too emotional."  

Have you ever been told these phrases and made to question your own perception of reality? Then chances are that you have been gaslighted. But, what does gaslighting means, how does it look like, and what can I do if I am being gaslighted? In this article we will answer these questions and share the steps you can take if you are being gaslighted.


Read More
0 Comments

Is it Love or Fear of Being Alone? 6 Signs to Look Out For

1/12/2022

0 Comments

 

Is it Love or Fear of Being Alone? 6 Signs to Look Out For

love-or-afraid-being-alone
Why do we sometimes stay in relationships where we are really unhappy? Is it because of love? Can love make us extend the shelf life of our relationships to the detriment of our happiness? Or, is it that sometimes we are so afraid to be alone that we try the impossible to make our relationships work?Sometimes the boundaries between love and fear of loneliness are not so clear. And, it can be very challenging to pinpoint what is the real reason we are staying in a relationship that is no longer working.

Is it real love or are we actually staying because we are scared of being alone? In this article, we will discuss some common signs that fear of loneliness—not love—is what is keeping us in a relationship.


Read More
0 Comments

How To Move On After Being Cheated On: 20+ Tips

11/11/2022

0 Comments

 

How To Move On After Being Cheated On: 20+ Tips

move-on-cheating
Being cheated on is a big betrayal of one’s trust. It’s not easy. It’s painful. Regardless of the duration or the type of affair, it is normal to feel betrayed, angry, sad and at a loss. Being cheated on can have you start questioning your personality, beliefs and views of the world. It can also bring up fears of being alone, and trigger anxious feelings of having to meet new people or to reestablish a healthy relationship with your partner again. Finding out that you have been cheated on while still in the relationship is testing. It leaves a big question behind: whether to stay with your partner or whether to go.


Read More
0 Comments

How To Spot and Deal with a Narcissist: 8 Signs To Look Out For

9/11/2022

0 Comments

 

How To Spot and Deal with a Narcissist: 8 Signs To Look Out For

spot-narcissist-deal
Dealing with a narcissist can be tough and affect our mental wellbeing in a negative way. Learning about narcissistic traits and how to spot them can help us gain a better understanding on how to handle narcissists. In this article we discuss the telltale signs of narcissists and how to cope with individuals with narcissistic traits.

Read More
0 Comments

8 Ways to Become Less Codependent in Your Relationship

21/7/2022

0 Comments

 

8 Ways to Become Less Codependent in Your Relationship

Picture
We are hardwired for connection. Connection to others is a fundamental need we all have. It’s important to us to connect with others. This is especially true in romantic relationships. A relationship without connection makes it almost impossible to be intimate and have deep, meaningful conversations with one another. However, sometimes we might rely excessively in our partner and, in the process, lose ourselves in our relationship. This is often a sign of codependence in relationships. Today we will discuss what codependence is, the signs of codependency in relationships, and how to move from a place of codependency to healthy interdependency with your partner.


Read More
0 Comments

How To Date Someone with an Avoidant Attachment: 14 Tips

12/7/2022

0 Comments

 

How To Date Someone with an Avoidant Attachment: 14 Tips

Picture
We all have different patterns of behavior when it comes to dating and romantic lives. How we act in our relationships largely depends on our past experiences, or what psychologists like to call: our attachment style. Some people have secure attachments, while others might have developed insecure attachments. It can sometimes be challenging to support a partner with an insecure attachment style. That is why today we will discuss how it is to date a person with an insecure, avoidant style, and share how to better support them in order to foster a loving, fulfilling, and healthy relationship.


Read More
0 Comments

Anxious Attachment in Relationships: 7 Ways To Support Your Partner

3/5/2022

0 Comments

 

Anxious Attachment in Relationships: 7 Ways To Support Your Partner

dating a partner with anxious attachment
Are they ignoring me?”
“Did I say something that made them not respond to my text immediately?”
“They’re going to break up with me…”
“I am leaving the room. It’s clear they don’t care about me.”


These are the kind of thoughts that can go through the mind of an anxiously attached individual. Before we get deeper into what it means to have anxious attachment, let’s have a look at what an attachment style is…


Read More
0 Comments

What NOT To Do After a Breakup or Divorce: 7 Helpful Tips

25/4/2022

0 Comments

 

What NOT To Do After a Breakup or Divorce: 7 Helpful Tips

Breakup
Human beings love routines. We prefer a safe and known environment, such as the city that we have been living in for years or the long term relationships that we have for years. These routines include not only daily life activities but also the people we chat, hang out, and spend most time with. Therefore you can imagine how challenging it is when we go through big life changes such as breaking up or having a divorce.
Whether you want it or not, breaking up with a person you loved can turn your world upside down and cause so many different emotions in a short span of time. A breakup or divorce is not just a process of two people splitting up, but also a process of
loss and grief. You lost your hopes or plans for the future and the commitments or promises that you made with that person. Because of this flood of emotions, it's normal if you might feel like acting on your anger or other overwhelming emotions. And that's why we are here: to suggest alternative and healthier options. 


Read More
0 Comments

Why Do Relationships Fail? 4 Examples of Toxic Behaviors

12/4/2022

0 Comments

 

Why Do Relationships Fail? 4 Examples of Toxic Behaviors

toxic-relationship-examples
Why do relationships and love seem to fizzle out? Why are there so many breakups and divorces? And how can we improve our relationship habits to build fulfilling and long-lasting healthy relationships? Psychologists and researchers have found some toxic behaviors that can cause our relationships to end. In this article, we take you through a journey so you can discover what these behaviors are and, ultimately, learn how to foster loving and thriving relationships with your loved ones. 

Read More
0 Comments

11 Ways to Support a Partner with High-Functioning Depression

12/4/2022

0 Comments

 

11 Ways to Support a Partner with High-Functioning Depression

Couple
It's common to feel confused, lonely, or hurt when you watch someone you love go through a hard time. Even more so, it is natural to feel a sense of concern for a loved one who is experiencing symptoms of depression and to wonder what the best way to support them is.
​
​
You’re not alone in this process. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), in the United States, in 2017, 17.3 million adults over the age of 18 lived with depression. In addition, Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) affects approximately 1.5 percent of the U.S. population in a given year (about 3.3 million American adults). 


Read More
0 Comments

Anxious Attachment in Relationships: How To Become Secure

28/3/2022

0 Comments

 

Anxious Attachment in Relationships: How To Become Secure

anxious-attachment-style
"When my partner needs space, I feel panicky and I do not know what to do." This is a common struggle for those with the anxious or preoccupied attachment style. This pattern of attachment is characterized by insecurity, low self-esteem, and need for validation. In this article we explore four common signs of this attachment style and explain how you can learn to calm yourself, relax your mind, build your self-esteem and become more secure in your relationships. 

Read More
0 Comments

Lost Yourself in a Relationship? 5 Tips to Find Yourself Again

22/2/2022

0 Comments

 

Lost Yourself in a Relationship? 5 Tips to Find Yourself Again

How to find myself in a relationship
Relationships can be exciting. Comforting. Supportive. Help you grow as an individual. They can be a great space for self-discovery and self-development.
However, for one reason or another, instead of flourishing as an individual, you might catch yourself consumed by the relationship to the point that you cannot recognise yourself anymore. You end up spending every possible moment with your significant other and sacrifice things you used to enjoy, for the sake of activities with your partner. Because you have been putting so much focus on the needs and wishes of your partner and the relationship, you have forgotten about what you want, what makes you happy and what you want to achieve in life.


Read More
0 Comments

10 Red Flags in Relationships - A Couples Therapist Explains

2/2/2022

0 Comments

 

10 Red Flags in Relationships - A Couples Therapist Explains

Picture
We don’t know anything about relationships until the moment we enter them. That’s the point when we start figuring out that there is a big difference between “love” as an abstract concept and “love” as a conscious, proactive, mindful decision. Unfortunately, sometimes we learn all those lessons about relationships through the hard way: we break up, we get rejected, we get abandoned, we get betrayed, we get traumatised, we get hurt, we get divorced, we lose ourselves in the relationships. 

But how can we know whether a relationship is a “thumbs-up” or a “no-go”?


Read More
0 Comments

What is Covert Narcissism? 6 Common Traits and Symptoms

11/10/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Have you ever met someone who presented themselves as a highly empathetic person but the more you got to know them, you realized this was only a facade, more like a mask and in reality their intentions and actions were self-serving? Let me introduce you to the covert narcissist. 

If you know about narcissism, you probably already know that narcissists are notorious for their sense of entitlement, their extreme need for approval, and this feeling of grandiosity around them. At the same time, they show little empathy for others. The covert narcissist has all these elements and traits, but, at the same time, they hide it very well. They play with humility, and they are, of course, very sensitive to what other people think of them. 


Read More
0 Comments

The 4 Types of Attachment Styles in Adult Relationships

28/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
"Don't leave when I'm talking to you!"
"This is so much pressure, I miss being single..."
"I'm afraid you don't care for me as you used to..."
"I need some space! You're suffocating me!"
​
These are some typical phrases of partners of insecure attachment styles and they show not only how they view their partner but also how they are trying to protect themselves in the relationship. 

Have you heard of the term "attachment style" before?
Do you have a dismissive, preoccupied, fearful-avoidant or a secure attachment style?
If you do not know what this is all about, then this article is just for you.
Here we will explore attachment theory, discuss the different attachment styles and what each one of them means in adult relationships.


Read More
0 Comments

What is Fear of Commitment & How To Overcome It

22/7/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Have you ever met a person that was afraid of commitment? Or, perhaps you are a person that is scared of committing to your loved one.
​Maybe you constantly ask yourself if you are with the wrong person and find yourself pulling away any time there is intimacy.
If you or someone you know is struggling with commitment phobia, then this article is for you.


Read More
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Relationships

    YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS.

    To be with someone else in an intimate relationship means that we entitle them with our love, friendship, partnership, etc, and most of the times this is irrelevant of their talents, values, morals. No skill can lead to an emotional decision. Therefore, we can feel the same passion for a hero or for a coward. Being loved is not something we earned (like a job through an interview), but something that was given to us generously, like an unspoken favor. Thus, love means to live in the eternal coexistence of terror and miracle. (Pascal Bruckner)

    Archives

    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    September 2020
    September 2019
    June 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    February 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015

    Categories

    All
    Anger
    Angry
    Anxiety
    Anxious Attachment
    Apologize
    Appreciation
    Attachment
    Avoidance
    Avoidant
    Balance
    Boundaries
    Breakup
    Childhood
    Codependent
    Commitment
    Complicated
    Conflict
    Connection
    Counseling
    Couple
    Couples
    Couples Therapy
    Dating
    Dating Someone With Depression
    Denial
    Disconnection
    Divorce
    Divorce Support Group
    Emotional Needs
    Emotions
    Empathy
    Fear
    Feelings
    Fight
    Forgiveness
    Functioning Depression
    Gaslighting
    Gay
    Giref
    Guilt
    High Functioning Depression Symptoms
    How To Move On
    How To Support Someone With Depression
    Independent
    Interdependent
    Kindness
    Lgbtq+
    Loneliness
    Lonely
    Love
    Marriage
    Mindfulness
    Narcissism
    Narcissist
    Not Good Enough
    Partner
    Pattern
    Perfectionism
    Perfectionist
    Perfect Partner
    Persistent Depressive Disorder
    Persistent Depressive Disorder Symptoms
    Process
    Protection
    Psychologist
    Pursuer
    Rejected
    Rejection
    Relationships
    Responsibility
    Roles
    Rollercoaster
    Sad
    Safety
    Self-worth
    Separation
    Shocked
    Signs
    Support
    Tips
    Toxic
    Trust
    Unconscious
    Understanding
    Unloved
    Vassia Sarantopoulou
    Victim
    Withdraw
    Withdrawer

    RSS Feed

Counseling

Personal Counseling
Couples Counseling
OnLine Counseling 
​
GROUP COUNSELING 

​Grief Support
Divorce Support 
​Therapy Group 

Blog

Loneliness
​Self-Development
Relationships
​Family 

About

Me
​My Team
Contact 
​The Cards
Privacy Policy ​
NIP Psycholoog
Vassia Sarantopoulou
Head Psychologist - Founder of AntiLoneliness

​Therapy for expats and locals 
Leiden - The Hague - online 
​

Member of the Netherlands Institute of Psychologists (NIP)

© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.