I’ve discussed before the idea of language as a superpower. When I introduce this idea to parents, they want to know: what does this look like in real life? Or better, how exactly do I do this? To help answer that question, I am going to refer to the great Tina Fey. In Tina Fey’s […]
Summer flies by in what feels like the blink of an eye. One minute you’re enjoying long, carefree days, and the next you’re shopping for bookbags, crayons, and classroom supplies. For many children, returning to school is an exciting milestone: new teachers, reconnecting with friends, fresh opportunities to learn, and fun experiences like field trips. […]
In working with young people who have experienced bullying, one belief I’ve encountered stands out: the idea that people are inherently hateful toward those who are “different.” While this belief may reflect a painful lived experience, it can become a limiting belief that holds us back. Furthermore, it reinforces the very systems that allow bullying […]
We don’t talk enough about this truth: Changing your mind is not a failure. It’s human. It’s growth. From a young age, many of us learn that being “consistent” equals being strong. We praise sticking it out, pushing through, and not quitting. While perseverance is a valuable trait, this message can quietly turn into something […]
When Your Child’s Reaction Triggers Your Own As someone who lives with food allergies myself, I know the undercurrent of hypervigilance that weaves its way into daily life with food allergies. The constant label-checking, the calculated choices, the hyperawareness in social settings. Living with food allergies means living with a quiet, persistent hum of caution. […]
I hated therapy as a child. I thought the whole idea was stupid. Sitting in the small room in the spot that was the furthest away from the therapist thinking “oh my god… when is this lady going to stop talking”. It was so so obvious that I didn’t want to be there. When individual […]
Welcome back to our series on supporting neurodivergent children through puberty. In Part 1, we explored the fundamental changes that occur during puberty—from the biological processes driving physical development to the complex social landscape shifts that most teens navigate. We examined how these universal experiences can present unique challenges for neurodivergent youth, including amplified sensory […]
Has this ever happened to you…. Today was a horrible day. Traffic into work was dreadful, that same person took your parking spot, again, and now your boss is breathing down your neck. So you do what you do, you reach out to your person. You tell them what a horrible day you are having. […]
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, […]