As a clinical psychologist in the Washington, D.C., area who often works with busy young professionals, I hear lots of complaints about how tough it is to find a partner. But they continually express disappointment, frustration and hopelessness about the process. Only a few have found significant others online, even after months or years of trying.
Sharon Rosenblatt, 31, a director of communications in Connecticut, had an experience similar to those of my clients. “I used online dating for seven years,” she said. “Sometimes it was fun, but it was also very time-consuming and exhausting. It’s easy to get discouraged.”
Research backs up that conclusion. A 2013 study of online daters conducted by the Pew Research Center found that one-third never met anyone in person and three-quarters never forged a relationship. Other research showed that almost half of the messages on dating apps were never reciprocated and only 1.4 percent of app conversations led to a phone number exchange. Continue reading “Five ways to enjoy online dating while improving your chances, according to a psychologist”