Author Archive: Irene

Author Irene S. Levine, PhD, is The Friendship Doctor, dispensing expert advice on The Friendship Blog.

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Announcing a new beginning for The Friendship Blog

Published: May 8, 2023 | Last Updated: May 8, 2023 By | Reply Continue Reading
Announcing a new beginning for The Friendship Blog

This is to announce the launch of a new newsletter, Friendship Rules, on Substack. We hope you’ll subscribe and join us.

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No Friends in High School: Feeling Anxious

Published: March 4, 2023 | Last Updated: March 4, 2023 By | Reply Continue Reading
No Friends in High School: Feeling Anxious

When a student is worrying about having no friends in high school, going to school each day can feel like a struggle.

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Setting Boundaries With Neighbors

Published: March 2, 2023 | Last Updated: March 2, 2023 By | 1 Reply Continue Reading
Setting Boundaries With Neighbors

A woman asks about setting boundaries with neighbors who are impinging on her personal time and space.

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Best Friend: What Does That Mean?

Published: February 19, 2023 | Last Updated: February 19, 2023 By | 1 Reply Continue Reading
Best Friend: What Does That Mean?

What does it mean if you consider someone a best friend and find out that they don’t put you in the same league? 

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How to Nurture Friendships on Galentine’s Day

Published: February 12, 2023 | Last Updated: February 12, 2023 By | Reply Continue Reading
How to Nurture Friendships on Galentine’s Day

It’s important to nurture friendships because otherwise, these vital ties can easily fray. Even never used muscles can easily atrophy. Here are 15 ideas of how to do that!

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Left Out Of A Friend Group After 35 Years

Published: February 11, 2023 | Last Updated: February 11, 2023 By | Reply Continue Reading
Left Out Of A Friend Group After 35 Years

This reader was left out of a friend group by people who had been her three best friends for 35 years.

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A Hot and Cold Friendship: Is It Worth Keeping?

Published: January 23, 2023 | Last Updated: January 23, 2023 By | Reply Continue Reading
A Hot and Cold Friendship: Is It Worth Keeping?

A young woman is upset by a hot and cold friendship that doesn’t feel satisfying because it’s so unpredictable. QUESTION Hi Dr. Irene, I have a hot and cold friendship with someone I met a couple of years ago during my second year as a university student. It may also be called an ambivalent friendship. […]

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10 Reasons Your Friend Didn’t Send A Holiday Card

Published: December 7, 2022 | By | 18 Replies Continue Reading
10 Reasons Your Friend Didn’t Send A Holiday Card

Wondering whether or not to send a holiday card to friends? Should you only send them to the ones who send them to you?

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Left Out Of A Friend Group Without Explanation

Published: December 3, 2022 | Last Updated: December 3, 2022 By | 1 Reply Continue Reading
Left Out Of A Friend Group Without Explanation

A family is excluded and  left out of a friend group without any explanation. It’s been a source of pain for the entire family.

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How To Break Up With A Friend: The Rules

Published: August 21, 2022 | Last Updated: February 28, 2023 By | Reply Continue Reading
How To Break Up With A Friend: The Rules

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to break up with a friend, here are some rules to help you navigate these murky waters. 

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