Blocks to Love

One of the best parts of the early stage of dating is discovering each other and creating emotional connection and intimacy. Opening your heart to someone new has so much hope and possibility for what you can create together. But what if you start to feel emotionally distant or emotionally detached from the guy you’re [...]

Let’s face it, as you get older it can be harder to meet someone who isn’t carrying a cartload of emotional baggage. You don’t have to go far to find dating horror stories that can scare you away from meeting someone new. It can seem like dating is hopeless for those in their second or [...]

"Hi Orna and Matthew, Does love equal sacrifice? I think I have a misconception about love. I keep thinking that it means I have to focus on my partner’s needs and by satisfying their needs I’ll get mine satisfied as well. It seems that on some level I believe you have to sacrifice for a relationship [...]

“Hi Orna and Matthew, I’ve been delving into so much of what you two share and I’m realizing so much about myself. The truth is I'm still afraid of losing myself in a relationship. How do I ensure that I won’t go back to that behavior again?” Dear Vicki, You’ve already taken the [...]

You’re in what started out as a great relationship, but now you find yourself constantly wondering whether he loves you or loves you as much as you love him. You keep asking yourself, “Am I needy or is he emotionally unavailable?” You begin to wonder if your relationship is healthy and become worried that it [...]

“Hi Orna and Matthew, Do men want what they can’t have? Here’s my pattern… every single time I allow myself to TRULY love a man and trust/become vulnerable/believe he loves me back – he leaves! All different types of men, wildly variable circumstances and timelines, but each time I chose to love – they leave. [...]

Do you have a habit of giving too much in your relationships? Have you felt like your needs didn’t count or matter to a significant other? Or have you gone into sacrifice, giving and giving to your partner wishing and hoping he would reciprocate? Over giving is not the same as being generous or conscientious; [...]

“Dear Orna and Matthew, I’ve got such a negative attitude about love and relationships these days. I can’t seem to believe that love is in the cards for me and then when I go online I just see a bunch of fake profiles or guys I would never date. I’m sure that people are constantly being [...]

Do you notice that your relationships start out with a great connection, but then fall apart before there is exclusivity? Are you always finding fault with the people you date, deselecting them for superficial reasons, and not letting anyone get too close to you? These could be signs that you’re self-sabotaging your chances for love. Understanding [...]

“Hi Orna and Matthew, I am so glad I found you. It’s no doubt the universe pointed me in your direction just as I really need you! I have been addicted to emotionally unavailable men for 20 years and in the past few years, have pulled myself away – like an alcoholic coming off liquor. [...]