There is redemption in the truth. 💡 The toughest conversations are the ones that save your relationships. Be direct, honest, and always explain the “why” to give them a chance to understand … If you want to preserve a relationship, you need to be willing to face the anxiety of confrontation.

A woman calls Dr. P, feeling overwhelmed and "paralyzed" by her veteran husband's severe, unregulated PTSD, which involves screaming and emotional abuse, despite him being highly respected in the community. She is confused about whether to stay, especially since her daughter is now recording the abuse. Dr. P emphasizes that the caller's confusion is her "U problem," and she cannot wait for her husband to change or for external validation. Dr. P firmly advises the caller to fully commit to a stable therapeutic environment for herself to gain clarity, stating that a decision about the marriage can only be made once she is no longer emotionally "paralyzed" and living in a confusing "rabbit hole."

A caller describes a highly unusual but brilliant arrangement with her boyfriend: a notarized, exclusive "sex contract" detailing their boundaries and desires. The problem is that her boyfriend, who is leading the role-playing, is hesitant to let her take the creative reins. Dr. P advises the caller not to worry about asking for "more," but rather to leverage the contract by asking her boyfriend to specify the limits or things he is unwilling to do (the "not-in-the-contract" items). This creates space for her to explore creative ideas without stepping on his unspoken boundaries.

A 55-year-old educated woman calls Dr. P, frustrated and feeling "tainted" because she has been unable to find a comparable partner after being divorced for ten years, despite trying dating apps. Dr. P quickly identifies the caller's main problem: she's not putting herself out there as the independent woman she is. Dr. P strongly advises her to focus on being confidently alone in public (like reading a book at a restaurant) and pursuing her own hobbies, rather than searching. Dr. P insists that if the caller exhibits her independent spirit, she will attract an intellectually suitable and independent partner. The call ends with the caller expressing renewed motivation, inspired by Dr. P's personal story.

A woman calls Dr. P, overwhelmed by her husband's escalating, unpredictable behavior over the last seven years, which included calling her a "monster," moving to the basement, and hiding alcohol, following the death of his mother and a job loss. The caller is desperately trying to save the marriage. Dr. P emphasizes that the husband is dealing with a severe "him problem" (likely an existential crisis or unaddressed mental health issue) that the caller cannot fix. Dr. P's primary advice is for the caller to heed her marriage counselor's advice, focus entirely on her own "U problem" by managing her anxiety first, and achieve clear thinking so she can decide the best path forward for herself, regardless of her husband's participation.

He won't talk about his feelings, but you need to hear this! 🎧

Dealing with an aging parent's frustration or anger can feel impossible, especially when they won't accept help. In this episode, Dr. P tackles a caller struggling with his short-fused father.

The breakthrough? Recognize that your dad's volatility might stem from the loss of control over his own life. The "problem" might actually be your need to find grace and compassion to navigate the role reversal. Sometimes, the only person who needs to talk about their feelings... is you.

Listen to "The U Problem with Dr. P" – Caller #5: "He's Not Gonna Talk About His Feelings..."

On "The U Problem" this week, Dr. P takes a call from a woman who is tired of being ghosted. She finds that after three or four months of dating, the men she's seeing become emotionally unavailable. She wants to know how to shift her energy and find a healthier relationship. Dr. P quickly identifies the caller's "you problem"—she's putting up with men who are already emotionally unavailable. Dr. P's advice is clear: stop sugarcoating, blow up the relationship if it's not working, and move on. You have no time to waste on people who aren't ready to commit - "If you can't provide me with x, y, z, take a hike."

On this week's "The U Problem," Dr. P addresses a common issue: the fear of being disliked. A caller explains her struggle with constantly replaying conversations and worrying about what others think. Dr. P offers a simple solution: drop the pom-poms. She encourages the caller to stop being a cheerleader for everyone else and start being a real friend by telling the truth, even if it's not what others want to hear - "If you can't tell them the truth, then are they really your friends?"