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When someone around you is angry: How to stay grounded without taking it on
Anger changes the atmosphere in a room. A voice becomes louder, movements become sharper, or someone starts pacing, sighing or speaking with visible irritation. Even when the anger is not directed at us, our own body may tense. We become alert, we may want to calm the person down, defend ourselves or leave the room. This reaction doesn't necessarily mean we are overly sensitive. Our nervous system continuously reads facial expressions, tone of voice, posture and movement for

Elena Padurariu
Sep 104 min read


The Stories We Tell Ourselves During Conflict
Many people come to therapy hoping to learn better communication skills: to argue less, express themselves more clearly, and finally feel understood. Yet in years of working with couples, one pattern stands out: communication itself is rarely the biggest obstacle. What gets in the way is less visible than that. In conflict, we stop being curious about our partner’s inner world and start assuming instead. “You don’t care.” “You’re doing this on purpose.” “You always think I’m

Elena Padurariu
Jul 273 min read


How We Build Relational Resilience
When we hear the word resilience, we usually think of an individual's ability to adapt to difficult life experiences through emotional flexibility, self-awareness, and healthy coping. But what about relationships? Relational resilience is the ability of a couple to navigate challenges, recover from disconnection, and emerge from difficult times feeling stronger and more connected. Resilient couples don't avoid conflict; they learn from it and use it to strengthen their founda

Elena Padurariu
Jun 113 min read


What is high-functioning depression?
High-functioning depression is not an official diagnosis, but it's a term used to describe people who experience feelings of depression while being able to maintain their daily responsibilities. People who experience it still show up at work. They meet their deadlines, answer their emails, and manage to keep a full schedule. Because of this, from the outside, everything looks fine; no one could tell. But from inside, the world looks different. Some warning signs to look out

Elena Padurariu
May 112 min read


Why do so many burnout interventions fail—despite good intentions?
Because burnout is rarely just an individual problem. Research consistently shows that focusing only on the employee, through stress management tools, meditation apps, or reduced hours, is not enough. The most effective and lasting results come from combining individual and organisational approaches. In my work with clients recovering from burnout, one factor makes a profound difference: what they return to. Receiving leadership support, a safe space to talk about vulnerabili

Elena Padurariu
Apr 132 min read


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