A mother I was talking with the other day described her 8-year-old daughter as “bossy.” I asked her about it, and she talked about how her daughter had, from the time she was very young, organized games and activities for the other children in the neighborhood. I then asked if she had ever heard the … Read more
This time of year, thousands of parents are hitting their local big box stores and checking off their college-bound offsprings’ shopping lists: extra-loud alarm clock (check), shower caddy (check), comfy new sheets and pillows (check), bulletin board (check). In the frenzy of logistics – and strong emotions – that often accompanies leaving home for college, … Read more
Even when two adults have the best of intentions, communication can be strained and emotions can run high when they are ending their relationship as spouses. A normal and natural part of divorce is the experiencing of distressing feelings, such as unhappiness, anger, guilt, frustration, and anxiety. If the marriage includes children, these youngsters are … Read more
It’s the holiday season again! While many of us expect to be excited and joyful at this time of year, the holidays can also bring feelings of stress and sadness. Extra responsibilities, high expectations for the holidays, and negative memories from past holidays can all lead us to feeling less than happy on the holidays. … Read more
There are over 30,000 suicides in the United States every year, making it the 10th leading cause of death for Americans (3rd among youth and 2nd among college students). We lose someone to suicide every 13 minutes, and 60% of us will personally know someone who dies by suicide. It is important to remember that … Read more
Our modern society stokes the fire for our fears. There is a 24-hour news cycle with bold headlines exclaiming “Alert!” and our concern for safety sometimes seems to trump living life to the fullest. Compared to years ago, our schools and offices close more easily and more frequently with the threat of bad weather and … Read more
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
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
For some children, it is more than just back-to-school time…it’s time to adjust to a whole new school! Whether your family recently relocated or your child is moving on to middle school or high school, starting a new school can be stressful. Below you will find 5 tips for helping your child adjust to a … Read more
The question of making or finding meaning in one’s life is often the basis for intense episodes of psychological conflict. There’s the twenty-something post-graduate having a quarter-life crisis, the thirty-something professional hearing her biological clock ticking, the middle-aged man wondering why he’s slaving away at a job he doesn’t like, and the older woman looking … Read more
