Dating today can feel like a maze of mixed signals and emotional games. From negging and breadcrumbing to lovebombing and gaslighting, emotional manipulation can leave you questioning your worth and reality. In this post, therapist Odile McKenzie, LCSW, breaks down each behavior, shares real examples, and helps you learn how to spot these red flags early—so you can protect your peace and date from a place of self-worth.

Limerance is intense infatuation at the start of a relationship — the butterflies, the constant thinking. But it can blind you to red flags. Research from Dr. John Gottman, Dr. Stan Tatkin, and Ralph Richard Banks reveals why our brains get swept away by limerance and how it can lead to overlooking bad behavior. Learn how to recognize this stage, protect your heart, and build healthy, lasting love. Click to read more.