Dr. Barbetta

Jealously Over An Old Flame

Question My wife and I have been married five years and are recently separated. Since our separation, my wife re-established a friendship with a man she was once involved with romantically. My wife is very honest and claims it is only a friendship. I feel intimidated and jealous that this old friendship is sparking whileContinue reading “Jealously Over An Old Flame”

Attraction In The Workplace

Question I am attracted to a woman that I work with and would like it to go further, but don’t want to ruin my marriage. What should I do? Answer Affairs create secrets, and keeping a lid on Pandora’s box is difficult. It uses a lot of energy and causes endless strain. Most secrets becomeContinue reading “Attraction In The Workplace”

Pre-Marital Problems

Question My fiance and I are scheduled to be married next year. He is a good person, and I think he will be a wonderful husband but he is not sexually satisfying. I began having an affair a couple weeks ago with someone I work with and now I am really confused. Dr. Barbetta, whatContinue reading “Pre-Marital Problems”

Affairs, Trust, and Financial Issues

Question After 20 years of marriage, my husband had a brief affair with his secretary. How does one get trust back without constantly scrutinizing the other person? Even though he says it is over, he tells me that he is unable to get rid of the secretary because she is valuable to the company. IContinue reading “Affairs, Trust, and Financial Issues”

Holiday Stress

Question Dr. Barbetta, with the holidays approaching, I find myself getting anxious at the thought of seeing relatives who have said or done things that have been hurtful to me in the past. How can I deal with those people and make the most of the holiday season? Answer The holidays can be a stressfulContinue reading “Holiday Stress”

Is Forgiveness Possible?

Divorce is a stressful time emotionally, financially, physically, and psychologically. It often results in two people who were once rational human beings showing the darkest sides of their personality. The divorce process may also trigger negative feelings from the past. It often seems that when trust is shattered between two people in a relationship, forgivenessContinue reading “Is Forgiveness Possible?”

What About The Straight Spouse?

Several years ago our country witnessed the public outing of the former New JerseyGovernor Jim McGreevy. We watched as his wife and parents stood by his side while he proclaimed himself a “gay American”. It’s difficult for most people to understand the heartache Governor McGreevy’s wife must have been experiencing. Research indicates that between twoContinue reading “What About The Straight Spouse?”