A New Look at Self-Esteem

Everybody knows the importance of having a good sense of self-esteem: it protects us from depression and anxiety, it helps us make choices that are good for us, it helps children and teens be less susceptible to peer pressure, and a host of other benefits we want for ourselves and for our children. But how … Read more

“I Was Once Afraid of That?”— Four Strategies for Facing Your Fears

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

When to Worry: How to Decide When There is a “Problem”

As both a mom and a clinical psychologist, I am often approached by parents who are concerned about their child’s academic progress, emotional health, or pattern of behaviors.  Parents often have some intuition that something isn’t right, but they don’t know how concerned to be, and whether or not to seek professional guidance.  Here are … Read more

Happy? What’s Your Secret?

I read a recent Huffington Post article called “The Habits of Supremely Happy People” by Kate Bratskeir, which pulls together some of the most current and exciting news in the world of positive psychology research. Martin Seligman founded the field of positive psychology, which is the branch of psychology devoted to furthering the study of … Read more

Start the Day Right!

So, here we are at the beginning of a new school year. We all have that fantasy – this year, we will happily wave goodbye each morning as our stress-free, on-time children leave for the bus stop (or on their bikes, or on foot, or in their carpool). Unfortunately, reality does not often match up. … Read more

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