Q: When is it okay to lie to a patient? I have a friend who has a three-year-old son with a woman whom he dated very briefly. For 3 1/2 years she tried to make him marry her. She lied to everyone, pretending that they were together, deluding herself and others; she attempted to manipulate [...]

Q: Is it appropriate for a biological father (an affectionate/friendly man) to stroke/fondle his 13-year-old daughter’s buttocks while walking or while she is sitting on his lap (at his request)? A: My first response would be no. I am trying to think of an occasion, or a culture, or an extenuating circumstance in which that [...]

Q: I have a brother who is five years older: I am 58 and he is 63. He is gay and has never had a relationship in the open. Now, I am disabled and live with him, but my duty is taking care of our 87-year-old mother, who has dementia and lives in the same [...]

Q: I’ve been with my boyfriend three years. We have always had a good relationship and still do. He asked me to move in with him two years ago and I did. The only problem is that he lives with his parents, whom I thought to be lovely until I moved in. His father hasn’t [...]

Q: I am 23 years old, my husband is 27, and we have some serious communication issues. We are now aware of them and are constantly working to improve our communication with one another. My husband has had a major problem with being faithful, honest, and truthful. Just some examples are, cheating on me while [...]

Q: I’m a 28-year-old male. When I was growing up I had a good relationship with my father, although I found him a little eccentric. Things went bad between us after my mother separated from him when I was about 18. Initially I took his side though he didn’t notice the sympathy I offered him [...]

Q: My husband spoils my almost 19-year-old stepdaughter. She tells her dad that I haven’t tried to communicate with her although I’ve been texting, calling and emailing her non-stop for the last six months. So far she’s replied to two of my e-mails and three of my texts and hasn’t called me at all. In [...]