The kids are not alright. What happens when children are separated from their parents against their will? What trauma results and what is the impact on a child’s well being? The news is filled with heartbreaking images of children and families torn apart. To understand the impact of these events, I sat down with Edith […]
When you see a happy couple walk down the street, do you feel a rush of resentment? Do such public displays of affection get on your nerves? Before we consider the cause of your resentment, consider this parable I share in my therapy groups that focus on developing healthy relationships. It’s about a bird stuck […]
Figuring out whether or not your teenager is using drugs can be a challenge. I sat down with Holly Holloway from MedMark Treatment Centers to discuss what concerned parents can do. Holly works to help spread awareness and end the stigma of addiction. Here’s what she had to say: Young adults deal with many physical […]
For generations, the field of psychotherapy has been locked in a contemptuous battle with religion. Psychotherapists bashed religion as magical thinking and labeled God an infantile wish for an ideal father. While religious leaders called psychotherapists blasphemous, burned their books and accused them of undermining sacred values. Yet, put aside their differing theoretical frameworks, and […]
Plus three tools for parents and teenagers that will never fail. Yes, teenagers are moody. (See The Negative Voices Inside Your Teenager’s Head) But before you label your kid with anger issues, ask yourself this question: Could I be the cause of my kid’s angry outbursts? So often in my psychotherapy office, I witness well-intentioned, […]
Battles over screen time disrupt families every day. Eavesdrop on most homes and you’re likely to hear: “Put your phone down!” “Turn the computer off!” “Stop texting!” Parents without screen time contracts are frustrated and concerned for their kids—and they should be. Numerous studies have suggested that unlimited use of technology can have a negative […]
Parents love giving their kids gifts during the holidays, but what happens when they give too much? Overindulging children is a common parenting blunder that always backfires and turns little darlings into ungrateful bullies who are never satisfied—no matter how much they get. Before you go overboard and shower a child with gifts, consider these […]
Learning Disability 101 Is your child struggling academically? Does helping your kid with homework have you pulling your hair out and begging for mercy? Have epic meltdowns around school become customary? Schoolwork can be difficult, but it shouldn’t be torture — for you or your kid. If your child is struggling academically, maybe it’s time […]
Single Parents Need Support, Not Criticism A quick search of “boys raised without fathers” and you’ll quickly find yourself buried under an avalanche of horrifying statistics. More likely to drop out of school, more likely to develop drug or alcohol problems, more likely to be incarcerated; the bad news for single parents goes on and […]
And affordable alternatives to get your teen back on track I used to dis boarding schools. I thought sending your kid away was just plain cruel—a failure of parenting or schooling. I thought therapy could fix everything. Boy, was I wrong. When a kid has too many negative influences in her life, particularly during her […]