Over the past century in the U.S., there's been a societal transformation in what we expect from our romantic relationships. It's not just about love anymore; there's a growing belief that our partners will fulfill many roles, including being instrumental in our personal growth. But what do these expectations mean in romantic partnerships? Are they realistic, or are we setting ourselves up for disappointment? We spoke with Lia Love Avellino, LCSW, a modern love therapist and founder of Spoke Circles, a group support hub in Brooklyn, about the primary concerns couples face communicating our wants and needs, creating balance in a relationship, and cultivating supportive bonds without trying to facilitate one another'sself-actualization.

<p>Over the past century in the U.S., there's been a societal transformation in what we expect from our romantic relationships. It's not just about love anymore; there's a growing belief that our partners will fulfill many roles, including being instrumental in our personal growth. But what do these <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/unrealistic-expectations" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/unrealistic-expectations&source=gmail&ust=1707576758787000&usg=AOvVaw1AIgfj0tdNwtgw6hK36Eh7">expectations</a> mean in romantic partnerships? Are they realistic, or are we setting ourselves up for disappointment? We spoke with <a href="https://www.lialoveavellino.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lialoveavellino.com/&source=gmail&ust=1707576758787000&usg=AOvVaw3SOaeDJiTb5DCyJbDi_0h7">Lia Love Avellino</a>, LCSW, a modern love therapist and founder of <a href="https://www.spokecircles.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.spokecircles.com/&source=gmail&ust=1707576758787000&usg=AOvVaw1xvCWZNYlghDJJZKvu3r1Q">Spoke Circles</a>, a group support hub in Brooklyn, about the primary concerns couples face communicating our wants and needs, creating balance in a relationship, and cultivating supportive bonds without trying to facilitate one another's<a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-maslow-hierarchy-of-needs" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-maslow-hierarchy-of-needs&source=gmail&ust=1707576758787000&usg=AOvVaw0W8uJFNU357cr4JFmnY6kS"> </a><a href="http://goog_673989585/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://goog_673989585/&source=gmail&ust=1707576758787000&usg=AOvVaw1QkbgDGstCXi7CLaaz48dV">self</a><a href="http://-actualization./" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://-actualization./&source=gmail&ust=1707576758787000&usg=AOvVaw0eIPgI3rR90ic6vjK_z4Wi">-actualization.</a></p>

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.

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Over the past century in the U.S., there's been a societal transformation in what we expect from our romantic relationships. It's not just about love anymore; there's a growing belief that our partners will fulfill many roles, including being...