I work with children; therefore I also work with parents. Often, because of the realities of work schedules and managing multiple responsibilities in a family, only one parent comes to a session at a time. And that’s ok, but for those parents not in the room, I want you to understand the many ways in […]
When children repeatedly refuse to go to school there can be a variety of causes and ripple effects for the individual and family. Resolving school refusal is not as simple as “just get them in the building,” and interventions should involve multiple groups of people working together. School refusal can stem from anxiety about separating […]
Group therapy provides a unique opportunity for participants to connect with other people who are experiencing something similar. This affords participants the chance to develop empathy, to receive and give support, and to feel less alone in areas of struggle. Yet, group therapy can also be anxiety provoking. The risk of being known more fully […]
Being a psychologist who works with kids, people assume that I am an expert at parenting. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. I have my own weaknesses, and parenting is really hard sometimes. One of the biggest lessons I have tried to apply to my parenting is something that use regularly when working to improve emotion […]
Children and adults often struggle with whether to inform other people about their mental health. Many people want to keep their mental health struggles a secret from other family members, even when those family members are being affected by these difficulties and may suspect a problem. They fear stigma, disconnection, and shame. Yet, many people […]
When talking about transitions and school, we often think about getting back into the school routine. However, transitioning out of school for the summer can also be an important process to do with intentionality. Since the end of August 2017, your daughter or son has been regularly connected to a defined group of people, including […]
The countdown to summer has already begun, so let’s talk about ways you can foster your child’s emotional growth and development in ways that also encourage family and social connections. Summer is wonderful for many reasons, but it is also a time when it can be difficult to find healthy routines and regular social opportunities. […]
Emotion regulation is the process by which we consciously and unconsciously strive to manage the range of emotions we may experience at any given time. The problem for some teens is that their emotions come too fast and too strong for them to effectively regulate, and instead they react impulsively, lose control, or use unhelpful […]
There has been much discussion about the connection between mental illness and violence, particularly related to mass violence and school shootings, during the past weeks and months. Unfortunately, the language used and arguments made about this connection are not always accurate and can perpetuate assumptions that may lead some to avoid talking about their struggles […]
Valentine’s Day is coming up, and my daughter’s preschool will be having a valentine exchange for the students. This is one of those planned activities where everyone will receive a valentine from everyone else. Everyone will give and receive whatever sense of belonging comes with a card and piece of candy. But our sense of […]