We all crave love and meaningful connections with others, yet many of us struggle to establish and maintain these intimate bonds.

Often, we seek guidance from unreliable sources such as friends, family, magazines, movies, or unqualified relationship coaches. Unfortunately, the lack of proper education on building healthy relationships is staggering, especially considering the profound impact personal connections have on our mental wellbeing, physical health, and even our children's development. It's perplexing that while we require a license to drive a car, we don't receive formal education on the most crucial aspect of our lives: relationships.

During my time writing a dating advice column for a local LA newspaper, I was astounded by the multitude of individuals from various age groups seeking guidance on their love lives. This experience fuelled my mission to become an expert in dating and relationships, realising that mere advice wasn't sufficient without understanding the underlying reasons driving our behaviours.

Love has the power to make us feel out of control and helpless, a theme frequently depicted in media and songs. Over the past decade, I've dedicated myself to studying and contributing to the scientific literature on sex and relationships. Armed with a PhD in sex and relationship psychology, I'm committed to offering advice grounded in research to genuinely impact your love life. Expect science-backed insights and practical tools to transform your intimate relationships.

Contrary to popular beliefs, love isn't a blind force or a product of Hollywood fantasy. It's an evolutionary mechanism that has developed over millions of years. While some may attribute it to fate or astrology, the reality is far more rooted in psychology, behavior, and physiology. Our brains play a pivotal role in the experience of romantic love, orchestrating a complex interplay of chemicals and behaviors.

Psychologist Robert Sternberg's triangular theory of love delineates three stages: passion, intimacy, and commitment. Passion represents the initial physical attraction and lust, fueled by heightened testosterone levels. Intimacy encompasses feelings of closeness and connectedness, driven by dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Finally, commitment is solidified by oxytocin and vasopressin, leading to a long-term attachment. It's at this stage that many individuals encounter challenges in maintaining their relationships.

How do we sustain love? Keep the spark alive? Navigate conflicts? Is monogamy the only option? Can we love more than one person? These questions, among others, form the crux of my work. I'm here to guide you through the complexities of love, offering insights from psychological research and science-backed strategies to flourish in your love life.

Limor Gottlieb PhD

Freelance writer | Podcaster | Press contributor
To work with me, send me an email via hello@drlimorgottlieb.com