Dr Andrea Valerio.com


	Selected Excerpts from Dr. Valerio's current bestseller, " Ask Dr. Andrea: A Psychologist's Guide To Living Well and Loving Better" Expert advice on relationships and sexuality Good communication means never assuming that you know what the other person wants or what they are going to say. Be a good listener. Don't just hear with your ears. Listen with your heart and an open mind. Ask your partner questions, especially about feelings, and discuss things often. Invite feedback from each other. Discuss things again. Try not to get in the rut of talking only about chores, tasks, responsibilities, bills, and children. Talk about big things, little things, important things, and pleasant things. Communication does not have to be hard work. It can be playful, even fun. You do not have to be perfect to be a good communicator. However, it is necessary to make an intentional effort and consciously connect with your partner. Being authentic is always optimal. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Your words and behaviors have great power to hurt or heal your partner. Once spoken, your words cannot be retrieved. Think about the result you desire. Do you want to be right? Or do you want to be happy? This is so important that it bears repeating. Think about the result you desire. Do you want to be right? Or do you want to be happy? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fantasizing does not have to mean "thinking of someone else," although that is how many people use it. When that occurs, it is escapist fantasy or denial. Consider other types of fantasies... Imagine yourself on a tropical island. Go there in your mind. Feel the ocean breeze against your face. Smell the salt air. Hear the waves crashing against the shore. See the lush colorful gardens. Enjoy this visualization as it is, or add your sexual partner to the scene. Imagine a romantic scenario with him... Imagine a sexual scenario with him... Imagine him desirous! Imagine yourself ecstatic! Your imagination is a tool to rehearse future experiences, to master new skills, and to enhance your current experiences. Consider that having an imagination is like adding Dolby surround sound to your stereo. It adds depth and dimensionality to your life. Fantasies offer limitless possibilities. Sexually speaking, they can be just as, or more arousing, than physical touch. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ASK DR ANDREA: A Psychologist's Guide To Living Well and Loving Better Dr. Andrea's expert advice about sex, commitment, conflicts, communication, romance, betrayals, trust, suspicion, break-ups, fantasies, performance anxieties, sex addictions, and more! Includes practical suggestions, useful tips, plus letters from readers. This is real life for real people in an easy-to-read format. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE BOOK "Dr. Andrea Valerio speaks from her heart, filling each page with wisdom and warmth. Her candor is refreshing, her passion captivating. She provides practical applications from her years of experience as a highly sought-after sex therapist to help you create and enjoy authentic relationships. I love her ideas! This book will enrich your love life." -- Dr. Mark Farrel Schwartz "Advice about relationships and sexuality from sex expert and clinical psychologist, Dr. Andrea Valerio, is candidly presented in ASK DR. ANDREA: A Psychologist's Guide To Living Well and Loving Better. The book explores such topics as Commitment, Communication, Conflicts, Betrayals, Romance, Trust, Suspicion, Divorce, Break Ups, Kissing, Fantasies, Orgasms, Oral Sex, Penis Size, The G-Spot, Female Ejaculation, Performance Anxieties, Sexual Variations, Sexual Violations, and Sexual Addictions. The material is practical and user-friendly, derived from questions posed by Dr. Andrea's Web site viewers. The writing style is easy reading, while being entertaining and educational. "The book is divided into two parts, Relationships and Sexuality, with each part organized into topics. Dr. Andrea begins each chapter by teaching about the topic, providing the basic tools necessary for readers to create happy, healthy relationships. The text is laced with nuggets of wisdom highlighted as HOT TIPS, such as 'Whenever your feelings are disproportionate to the current situation, it indicates unresolved issues from your past.' The information is offered in a respectful, supportive tone that honors readers' spirits. Dr. Andrea concludes each chapter with sample letters from her advice columns, replete with her trademark brand of encouragement and sage wisdom." -- Books in Print