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 […]
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 […]
Families are core to who we are. They are often the essential building blocks of our personality, patterns, and values. Regardless of size or make-up, all families face challenges. Ultimately, if left untreated, you might find that these challenges start to grow and impact the relationships within your family unit. This is where family therapy […]
Play is a powerful tool for children and adults alike. However, academic pressures and extracurricular commitments frequently overshadow the importance of play. We live in a society that can be very focused on accomplishments. This can even seep into therapy. There can be an expectation in therapy that we fix the problem, develop coping skills […]
You can read all the books and take all the classes, but nothing fully prepares you for parenthood. The number of new experiences you can have as a new parent is endless. So how could we possibly prepare for everything motherhood brings? As a professional who has worked with kids, I have been a caretaker […]
Hey there, fellow mom! If you’ve ever found yourself drowning in a sea of guilt over the myriad challenges of motherhood, you’re not alone. Mom guilt is a universal experience. Understanding its nuances and learning how to navigate it can be transformative. Here are 5 lessons I have learned through being a mom and a […]
Many individuals recall the day that they brought their baby into this world as one of the most joyous days of their life. For others, it may be one of the most horrifying. If your birth did not go as expected, and you feared for your life – or for the life of your child […]
In part 1 of this series, we explored what infertility can look like, as well as financial burdens and physical changes. The effects of dealing with infertility only start there. In this part, we’ll discuss how infertility affects your emotions, relationships, and daily functioning. The Emotional Toll Infertility is often referred to as a “rollercoaster” […]
When you hear that someone is going through infertility, what comes to mind? Do you think of your own experiences with fertility? Perhaps you remember hearing about that celebrity who also went through infertility. Maybe your mind goes to the world of adoption and other nontraditional families. When infertility comes up, you might feel a […]
Have you ever done or said something that reminds you of your parents, guardians, or family of origin? Have you tried to undo the patterns you learned from childhood? In adulthood, whether you are close to your family or have a difficult relationship, their early influences are always with you. The family you grew up […]
Getting a diagnosis of any kind for your child can be a daunting experience. It can be difficult to comprehend and process that your child needs additional help. During this time you will be given information about the journey of helping your child. Selective mutism is no different than any other diagnosis in that regard. […]
Both therapists and psychiatrists specialize in working with individuals to improve their emotional and psychological health and well-being. While both types of practitioners share the goal of mental wellness, their training and treatment styles of a therapist and psychiatrist can vary significantly. Psychiatry Psychiatry is a branch of medicine. All psychiatrists have attended medical school […]
Just as you begin to think that you have the infant stage figured out, your child transitions to toddlerhood. You are now sprung into a whole new world of challenges. So often we talk about the sleepless nights of infancy, and the transition to parenthood. But what about the transition to being the parent of […]