With spring now upon us, what better way to greet the new season than with a twist on a yearly ritual: psychological spring cleaning. Just as we need to remove the dust from our tabletops, clear out the stale food from the refrigerator, and clean the cobwebs out of the attic, our brains – our … Read more
There is a reason that we have the saying that it is important to “count your blessings.” Research has long shown that gratitude plays a major role in an adult’s well-being and success, and more recent research has supported this same finding with regard to children. For example, gratitude in children as been linked to … Read more
There is an ever-growing body of research suggesting that mindfulness can help children improve their ability to pay attention, calm down when they are experiencing strong emotions, and think more clearly to make better decisions. In essence, mindfulness helps with emotional regulation and cognitive focus. Who doesn’t want that for their kids? Children often react … Read more
As the end of summer nears and the school year fast approaches it would be helpful to review ways to maximize our brain power. Learning requires optimal focus, concentration, planning, memory, and problem-solving, or what is called executive functioning. Executive functions also include control of our impulses, flexible thinking, judgment, and organization. The front part … Read more
As many of my colleagues and clients know, I love movies! I often reference them in session as a way to connect, provide a reference point, and illustrate a concept. After the release of Pixar’s touching, animated movie “Inside Out,” many conversations have unfolded about the impact of the film on both children and parents. … Read more
Eye-blinking, throat-clearing, sniffing – your child’s odd tic is often just a passing phase. But many parents wonder how to distinguish whether their child’s habit is a sign of something more serious. The majority of tics involve the head and shoulder areas and in some way relate to the five senses: the eyes blink or … Read more
Smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. While there is no doubt that smartphones have many benefits, they also have the potential to disrupt our relationships and even our mental health! Recent research indicates that smartphone use is a rising cause of relationship problems. It has become very common to use smartphones … Read more
One of my favorite books to reference in the therapy room is “The Five Languages of Love” by Dr. Gary Chapman, an experienced marriage counselor. After the success of his first book, Dr. Chapman expanded his Five Love Languages series with special editions that reach out specifically to singles, men, and parents of teens and … 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
Let’s admit it – we all love holiday food! Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas ham, Hanukkah latkes, pumpkin pie, cookie exchanges, cocktail parties… the list goes on and on. Add to that the time pressures and stress brought on by preparations, shopping, and family gatherings, and healthy habits can fall by the wayside. All too often, indulging … Read more
