Have you, or someone close to you, dealt with racist encounters, discrimination, or microaggressions? Do you find yourself dwelling on these experiences? Are you constantly living in fear, feeling down, or even struggling with low self-esteem? These could be signs that you, or someone you know, is experiencing racial stress, or recently been through a […]
As a child therapist in Branchburg, NJ, I’ve seen firsthand the power of connection in a child’s life. We live in a society that often tells us we need more – more video games, more name-brand clothes, more vacations. But what we truly need is connection. This belief has been at the core of my […]
Selective mutism is an anxiety-based social communication disorder in which children are talkative in settings where they are comfortable, but silent in other environments. It is important to understand there are many misconceptions surrounding selective mutism, its causes, and how to treat it. Here are some common myths and subsequent facts about selective mutism in […]
Insights From A Selective Mutism Therapist in NJ As a parent of a child diagnosed with selective mutism, and a therapist working with children with the same diagnosis, I can relate to the challenges that come with being selectively mute. And while I can understand the experiences of parents in the same situation I was […]
Being the parent of an anxious child can at times be a consistent struggle. If you are a parent who has experienced intense anxiety, you may understand that out-of-control feeling. If anxiety has never been an issue for you, you may find your child’s anxious behaviors baffling. Anxiety can gnaw at you. It makes it […]
In Star Light, Star Bright, Please Go to Bed Without a Fight, we saw how bedtime can be a challenge for anxious children. Let’s now dive into the key ingredients for creating the perfect recipe for your child’s bedtime routine. Consistency One of the most important components of a bedtime routine is a consistent, predictable, recurring […]
That time of year is coming before we know it, again. It always seems to sneak up on you, no matter how prepared you think you are. With the start of the new school year on the horizon, parents and children alike may be filled with anxiety. As the mom of a soon-to-be first grader, […]
As the days of summer wind down and the thought of returning to school looms, it’s common for high school students to experience a whirlwind of emotions. While the thought of reuniting with friends can be exciting, it’s also normal to feel a bit of anxiety about the unknown. Whether you’re facing a new school, […]
As the summer winds down, many children feel anxious about going back to school. Whether it’s a new grade, a different school, or just the shift from the freedom of summer, back-to-school anxiety is common. This can be particularly hard for kids who tend to experience high levels of anxiety. As a parent, it can […]
We live in a capitalist society that is constantly telling us we need more. More video games, more name-brand clothes, more vacations to Disney World. Truthfully, we don’t need those things. What we really need is connection. One of my favorite memories as a child is going for family bike rides around the neighborhood on […]
Today, I reflected on my vision for inspiring parents to empower and support their children. As a mom and therapist, I have tried many different coping strategies with both my child and my clients. But, what is really working? I thought to myself, why not just go directly to the source itself? I turned to […]
It’s not unusual for a child to be fearful of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms can be intense and unpredictable. For some children fears of thunderstorms are just a passing phase. However for others, they can trigger a range of emotions in children, from anxiety to panic. The panic may be almost impossible to soothe. Furthermore, fears can […]
Childhood anxiety is an experience that often confuses parents and caregivers. As a child anxiety therapist, I see many different forms of anxiety. Most of us are familiar with classic signs of child anxiety. We see a child hiding behind their mother’s legs. They are unwilling to pet or even look at the playful puppy. […]
Family therapy first established roots as a form of counseling between the 1950s-1960s. It had one focus: to understand the effects of family on loved ones with mental health diagnoses. Bringing the family into the counseling room was meant to help identify how they have affected the diagnosis of the identified patient. This method makes it […]
The therapeutic benefits of play are numerous. You can find these discussed in Part 1 of The Vital Role of Play in Easing Anxiety in Children. In fact, play is very frequently integrated by our clinicians who provide child anxiety treatment at home and in our Scotch Plains, NJ and Branchburg, NJ offices. There are […]