Donna Barnes gives women dating and relationships advice to create healthier and lasting partnerships. How to recognize verbal abuse, red flags, communicate better, stop arguing, stop sabotaging your relationships, and more…
For Women

Maybe It Was Something You Said
Do you think you really connected, but now it's suddenly over, and you don't even know what happened? It was going so well! How could someone's feelings change so fast? Well,

Beauty & Self-Care Tips To Help You Look Your Best + Boost Confidence For A First Date
First impressions are everything, especially in the dating scene. Exuding confidence, believing in yourself, and feeling beautiful is integral for you to put your best foot forward when meeting that

How Often Do You Fight?
Fighting is normal, right? If you don't argue, you're just sweeping issues under the rug, right? Well, I can only answer yes with the HUGE caveat that how often and in

How Do You Feel About You?
Relationships can make you very insecure, and wondering how someone else feels about you is hard not to do. But what's most important is how you feel about you. I

10 Rules of Dating
My clients frequently ask me, "What are the rules of dating?" Well, I'm not a fan of dating rules because they tend to make you seem phony and when broken

Your Ex Doesn’t Care
After a breakup, many jilted lovers feel the need to communicate their feelings to their ex. They text, email, and/or call to plead their case to give them another chance.

Never Tell Your Number of Sex Partners
It is a huge red flag if your man asks you, “How many men have you had sex with?” Do not allow him to make you feel bad about yourself

Why You Should Always Accept a Compliment
You should always accept a compliment. After all, it’s flattering when someone notices you and let's you know they appreciate you—at least it should be. It’s usually intended to be

12 Steps to Protect Your Finances When Leaving an Abusive Relationship
Lisa Orban was married to her abuser for three years. In 1990, she left after he threatened to kill her and their two young children. She was 20 years old.

Addiction And Domestic Violence
A Look At The Connections Between Addiction and Domestic Violence Addiction affects millions of lives each year; not only does the individual who is battling the addiction suffer, but their families

Tips to Handle and Stop Bullying
Highlights Bullying occurs on a daily or weekly basis in 23 percent of public schools across the United States. It has a negative effect on everyone, including the bully, the

Escaping Abuse
A checklist of essentials to take with you when escaping abuse Walking out the door and away from an abuser—or kicking an abusive partner out the door, if so inclined—is seldom

Don’t Get Married Younger Than 25
Falling in love is exciting. When you think you’ve found “the one” its fun to fantasize about walking down the aisle together. Nonetheless, if you haven’t celebrated your twenty-fifth birthday

First Date or One Night Stand?
There is no guarantee to see each other again if you have sex on the first date. So if it’s going really well and you decide to have sex that

Breakup With Your Frenemies
Do you have a friend that you don’t really like but you stay friends with anyway? The very nature of the word “frenemy” which is a merging of the completely