Saying Goodbye

It is that bittersweet time of year when many young adults will be moving off to college. On one hand, it is a time for celebration, but on the other hand it can be difficult to say goodbye. In most circumstances, the goodbye is more of a “see ya later” as students often return home … Read more

Don’t Make Mountains out of Molehills: Why We Worry and How to Cut Back

When does worrying cross the line? The difference between normal and pathological worrying is not the content – most people worry about the same types of things. What makes worrying problematic is the frequency, intensity and the perceived uncontrollability of the activity. Worrying becomes a problem when it is constant, when it distracts from other … Read more

Why Does My Child React That Way?

All too often parents question and seek a better understanding of why their children act or react in ways that are often labeled as “challenging” or “misbehavior.” The frustrating thing is that there is no single answer to this question. In fact, various influencing factors can contribute to how children respond to certain situations. In … Read more

Avoiding Common Summertime Mental Health Pitfalls

Ahhhh, summer.…I can almost hear the collective sighs from adults and children alike as we anticipate the freedom and fun that await us in the coming months.  For many of us, summer represents a (slightly) slower pace, more vacations, and time to relax and recharge.  However, summer can also be an important time to maintain … Read more

Tackling Teasing

Summer break is almost here and that means a less intense morning and evening schedule and more time with siblings. Unfortunately, that can also mean more sibling conflict. Here are a few options for reducing teasing to help your summer go more smoothly*: Give an immediate time-out for both parties: To the Child Claiming to … Read more

10 Myths of Introverts by Carl King

Recently, a good friend of mine stumbled across a blog titled the “10 Myths of Introverts” by Carl King (http://www.carlkingdom.com), which describes his perceptions of being an introvert in an extroverted world.  Since finding this blog, my friend has been educating more extroverted souls like myself with the wisdom she collected, and perhaps more importantly … Read more

The Power of Play

Play therapy has long been viewed as an effective and helpful form of child treatment. “Why play?,” is a question I am sometimes asked. The main reason play therapy has proven so useful with children is that they have not yet developed many of the verbal and abstract reasoning skills necessary to articulate their feelings, … Read more

Optimism Can Protect Us From “The Cliff”

Ah, the financial cliff. In this period of great economic uncertainty, when we are forced to come nose to nose with overspending that now must be cut. I’ve been watching our country and its reaction to this cliff and it has surprised me—America has maintained a high-spirited attitude of cautious optimism. I’ve been reflecting on … Read more