Why am I still Single?

"Why am I still single?" It's a question I hear a lot in my practice. As a clinical psychologist in New York City, I work with many successful clients - while they're really good at getting things done in their professional lives, their dating life is either nonexistent or chaotic.

If you're anything like my clients, you may at times feel frustrated because while you believe you've done all the right things to find the right person, you don't understand why it isn't happening. If you feel like you hit a wall when it comes to dating when you're otherwise confident and successful, see if what's holding you back is one of these top reasons that I find my clients often struggle with.

1. Your idea of being open to dating someone different means they have a different favorite color.

OK, I'm being a little facetious here, but I do see a lot of clients who rule out potential matches over things that are actually really minor in the context of lifelong partnership - whether because of a height that's less than ideal, political views that don't match perfectly, or even a grasp of the hottest nightclubs. Remember that in a partnership, the way you manage the areas where you differ is actually very important. Try to boil down a short list of your absolute essentials in dating (aim for 3 to 4 qualities, such as "kind-hearted, wants marriage/kids, successful, physically fit") and then do your best to let the other things fade into the background so that chemistry has a chance to develop.

2. You come across as critical without even realizing it.

Some of my clients have a way of presenting themselves that makes them look and sound critical: They squint their eyes and use a dismissive tone of voice, or they don't make a lot of eye contact, smile, or demonstrate a lot of interest or excitement in the world around them. The interesting part is that when asked if something is wrong, these types of people seem genuinely surprised. They aren't depressed - this is just their normal way of presenting themselves.

Why do they do this? There are all kinds of reasons why someone could come to present themselves in a way that others experience as closed off. Maybe they're insecure and take on a dismissive air because they're afraid of being rejected, for example.

Because I'm meeting them as a psychologist rather than a potential friend or date, I am undeterred by all this - even if they give me terse answers or quizzical "umm's," I continue to show interest in them, try to engage them, and draw them out. Usually, this is all it takes - after five to ten minutes of me being super-nice and reassuring, they come out of their shell and actually turn out to be really sweet people. However, I'm not surprised when they complain that their dating life is stalled and that they can't seem to attract a positive and enthusiastic partner.

I'm not saying that people should be false and pretend to be the Happiest Person Ever on dates, but it's important to let your date see you in your best light. Start by making sure you arrive in clean clothing in flattering colors, styled hair, and wearing a little makeup. Then once there, smile and say something positive about the setting or the weather. Don't put yourself or your date down, even in jest, and remember: First dates aren't the time to open up about your abusive boss, mounting credit card bills, or your psycho roommate. One more how-to on letting date see you in your best light: Before the date, scan a newspaper so you can talk about current events like art exhibits, local news, or whatever piques your interest. This gives you a way to share yourself in a way that is confident and relatable; and it can prime the conversation pump so you and your date can have fun getting to know one another!

Human beings have something called mirror neurons - whatever emotion you're displaying, your date's mirror neurons will actually respond as if he is feeling your emotions. So if you're focused on negative things, your date's mirror neurons could give him a negative feeling, resulting in a closed or withdrawn facial expression. This, in turn, causes your mirror neurons to give you a negative feeling back about him. The good news is that by focusing on positive things, the mirror neuron circle will work in a positive way for both of you. And you will actually be doing yourself a favor if you give the date a chance to succeed by deliberately projecting an open, positive attitude.

3. You run your dating life like a boardroom.

Many of my female clients are very successful at work, and they are accustomed to getting what they want in their professional lives. What they want in their personal lives often includes a man who is at least as successful as they are, taller than they are, and who will pursue them. But it's sometimes difficult for these women to actually let the man take the lead like they say they want him to do. Just to make it clear, I'm not telling these women that they need to let a man pursue them; these women are telling me that they're frustrated by men who don't pursue them.

So what's the problem? While they like the idea in theory of letting a man pursue them, they get very frustrated if he doesn't pursue them on their timeline and in the manner of their preference. They have "talks" with men who they don't feel are "doing enough" - much like they'd have a chat with an underperforming employee.

But you cannot dictate pursuit. You cannot complain to someone that he isn't pursuing you. If you do, then he's only pursuing because you told him to, in which case he is following your directions - which is almost the opposite of pursuit.