How to Relate
Grateful to have you! I'm Brittani, a relationship therapist, yogi, writer, runner, and latte lover. Each week you'll receive thought-provoking letters written to generate insights toward creating resilient, intimate, fulfilling relationships.
Therapist Threads: Let's Talk AI
Let's Talk AI We've all been hearing about AI and how it's infiltrating the mental health space at a rapid speed. If Silicon Valley's "move fast and break things" motto has ever applied, it's in this space. Last week, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced confirmation that more than 150 companies have been accepted into the ACCESS (Advancing Chronic Care with Effective Scalable Solutions) Model effective January 1, 2027. What does this mean? Let's break it down. Companies on this...
Conflict Is the Symptom, Not the Problem: Couples Therapy, Intensives, and the Power of Experiential Connection with Carole Cullen
Conflict Is the Symptom, Not the Problem: Couples Therapy, Intensives, and the Power of Experiential Connection with Carole Cullen Published on April 23, 2026 What if the problem in your relationship isn’t the argument you keep having—but the pattern underneath it? Therapist Carole Cullen explores how couples can move from disconnection to deeper intimacy using a mix of structured tools, emotional processing, and experiential learning. Carole shares how she integrates the John Gottman Method...
AI, Therapy, and the Future of Connection with Ann Dypiangco
AI, Therapy, and the Future of Connection with Ann Dypiangco Published on April 16, 2026 What happens when artificial intelligence enters the therapy room—both with clinicians and clients? Ann Dypiangco, LCSW, is a therapist in private practice and co-creator of Therapist Brief, a newsletter for therapists navigating tech, research, and the changing landscape of mental health care. She also works at the intersection of clinical practice and emerging technology in her roles at Blueprint.ai and...
Therapist Hangout 4/17 Canceled and Schedule Changes
Slight Change in Plans Hey everyone! The Therapist Hangout this Friday will be canceled. Enjoy the sunshine and spring (even if it feels like summer). I apologize for the late notice, and hope to see you at the next event. Since summer is upon us, we're changing things up. Here are the next events for summer:Therapist Hangout: Friday May 15th 2-4 @ BaySixFriday July 17th 2-4 @ BaySixFriday August 14th Collab with Raleigh Therapist Club and 110 Yoga. Yoga class will be held at 3:00pm at 110...
Romantic Recession: How to Revive It
Romantic Recession: How to Revive It The environment of modern romance has evolved. If we’re talking about finding love and making it last, we need more context to understand the ecosystem in which singles and couples live. We’re no longer seeking people in our village and local communities to date and mate with. Gone are the days that Bridgerton depicts as romance; insert the globalization of opinions on dating and coupledom “should” be, and it’s lacking romance. Jaded daters and couples...
Therapist Threads: The Revival You Need
The Revival You Need In a recent social media fast, I got to experience what life was like without scrolling each night. Here's my experience:A bit of FOMO: I enjoy sharing humorous reels with friends, being in the know of what's going on with Z-list celebs, and knowing about community events happening locally. What Ifs: The anxiety about losing engagement with the podcast or other business endeavors would uptick every now and again. Net Positive: Did I miss it overall? Not really. I got my...
An Examined Life is an Erotic One
An Examined Life is an Erotic One We spend so much time optimizing our days, moving through the motions on autopilot, often leaving little room for reflection. The disconnection, discontentment, and disease we experience may have something to do with packed schedules and busy minds. In the therapy office, couples may say they feel disconnected, and individuals might say they’re feeling lonely. My favorite questions to ask regarding these symptoms include: What does connection mean to you?...
Anatomy of Conflict, Turning Into Connection
Anatomy of ConflictTurning Into Connection Conflict has roots that grow into stories, becoming a forest of trees where we lose sight, direction, and can no longer see through it. The therapy room hosts many discussions among couples and individuals about their interpersonal conflicts, as well as broader conflicts within our families, communities, the internet, and the world at large. Conflict leads to a hyper-fixation on difference. Conversations surround what we’re fighting about rather than...
Dear Peter, You're Not A Lost Boy Anymore
Dear Peter, You're Not A Lost Boy Anymore Chasing Freedom Doesn't Equal Happiness The 90’s parenting tagline, “I want my kids to be happy,” created a generation of opportunists. Parents saw their college-educated peers’ earning potential as they climbed corporate ladders and wanted those opportunities to their children. Millennial college attendance soared, with 40% of Millennials earning a college degree compared to Gen X (32%) and Boomers (26%), according to Pew Research. The “college...
Dear Wendy, You Matter Too
Dear Wendy, You Matter Too Growing up, one of the family's favorite movies was Peter Pan and the adaptation Hook, starring Robin Williams. The movie Hook follows Peter Banning, Robin Williams’ character, who is an attorney and workaholic with no patience or time for his wife and children. When Captain Hook kidnaps his children, Tinker Bell convinces Peter he needs to save them. By recalling his adventures, tapping into his imagination, and evoking the carefree innocence of childhood, Peter...
Grateful to have you! I'm Brittani, a relationship therapist, yogi, writer, runner, and latte lover. Each week you'll receive thought-provoking letters written to generate insights toward creating resilient, intimate, fulfilling relationships.