Uncertainty is ubiquitous. Throughout every stage of life, one must face new circumstances and new questions about the future. A child starting middle school in the fall has to cope with the challenges of navigating a new school building, meeting new teachers and classmates, and learning how to balance increased academic demands. A teen who … 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
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
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
For many young adults, the transition from student to “grown-up” can be particularly challenging and stressful. After a lifetime spent in school learning how to make the grade and make a name for themselves on campus, many young adults are left feeling lonely and lost upon entering the real world. Other young adults, though their … Read more
Quite a lot has been written about loss and grief. Many people are familiar with the model of grief introduced by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross that talks about denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Another well accepted model of grieving discusses 4 phases: numbness, searching and yearning, disorganization and despair, and reorganization and recovery. This model also … Read more
Although it’s still August, it’s not too early to start preparing your children for the back-to-school transition. By following the tips below, you can help your children get a smooth start to the new school year. Get back to a “school-friendly” sleep schedule. Schedules often become more lax in the summertime, particularly bedtimes. When bedtimes … Read more
The thought of telling a child about the death of a loved one is a daunting task for most parents. The first experience of loss is often associated with the death of a pet; however, the death of a grandparent or other close relative is often the experience that evokes tough questions and intense emotion. … Read more
Now that summer is here, many of our children will be heading off to camp. Some will be attending overnight or “sleep away” camps for the very first time. While some children anticipate camp with eagerness and excitement, others evidence a range of negative emotions, including nervousness, fear, sadness and/or anger. Your child may be … Read more
