The conversation about how the effectiveness of spanking is essentially over in psychology circles, though it continues to rage among the general population. Studies have demonstrated that children who were spanked often demonstrate long-term problems with behavior, including low self-esteem, aggression, mental health problems, and even impaired cognitive ability. If you’re one of those parents… Read more
It’s no secret that keeping a regular date night is an important part of staying connected while raising a family. In spite of this, it’s fairly rare that parents will actually give themselves this all-important time off to maintain their relationship. Date nights are essential for a variety of reasons, not the least of which… Read more
As our family grows and develops, it’s essential that we help foster the relationships within them in an atmosphere based on trust. At every stage of your children’s lives, it’s essential that they know they can rely on you to hear them out and provide judgment-free advice. The same can be said of your partner,… Read more
During this stage, teenagers exploring relationships, identity, and aspects of life outside of the family home can ultimately turn everyday interactions into a confusing time for parents wishing to maintain a strong, positive relationship. However, finding common ground between both you and your child can be accomplished. But for many parents, it can be difficult… Read more
It’s a natural part of growing up for our children to act on one or more occasions. During these outbursts, they may interrupt others, disobey the rules, and throw tantrums. When these occasions begin to occur frequently, or the problem behaviors become more serious, a deeper issue may be present. Speaking to your child’s mental… Read more
As our children grow, they are bound to encounter setbacks and difficulties in the world. Learning how to have confidence in themselves and their abilities early is essential to overcoming these challenges and thriving. This confidence can carry on with them into their adult years, giving them the tools necessary to face all the good… Read more
It’s common to think that when an individual goes through a traumatic event, they’re the only one who experiences the effects of trauma. Families aren’t made of isolated individuals; they are all part of a support system that is intertwined on many levels, including emotional. When a member of the family becomes traumatized, it’s not… Read more
Open dialogue is a core concept in family therapy, as it brings family members as a support group for the patient and establishes a social network for families to bond. Open dialogue was initially a developing process for therapists to find the best treatment for those suffering from psychosis, a mental state where an individual… Read more
It’s probably safe to say that there isn’t a single person who hasn’t experienced the desire to stay home and hide from the world at large. Not having to go into the office, deal with traffic, or endure another day at school seems like something out of a dream. After almost a year of many… Read more
Surviving the holiday season can be a real challenge for anyone. There’s the stress of shopping for presents, the constant onslaught of holiday music, and familial obligations to meet. If that wasn’t bad enough, our businesses and friends are often clamoring for our time for special gatherings as well! No matter how much we want… Read more
Sibling rivalry is a well-known element of childhood with brothers and sisters, but at what point does it cross the line into bullying? It frequently comes as an unpleasant shock to parents to learn that what they thought of as merely the troubles of youth may actually be a problem that can have long-lasting psychological… Read more
When the topic of anorexia comes up, the first image that usually pops to mind is that of a dangerously emaciated young woman counting every calorie on her plate. As the popular image of anorexia, it does a disservice to many of its sufferers by making them invisible to the public eye. While many anorexics… Read more
Holiday depression is a well-known phenomenon that strikes many people each year. 2020 is expected to be especially rough for many more as the combination of depression, and pandemic fatigue hits them like an emotional hammer. The feeling of loneliness that drives holiday depression is amplified by our inability to hang out with friends and… Read more
Perfectionists often describe someone hardworking, dedicated, have good attention to detail, and are reliable in holding themselves up to a higher standard. Perfectionism has been claimed to be a positive trait due to its usefulness in the workplace, but ultimately has contributed to some mental health disorders, specifically anxiety, in the relationship between success and… Read more
Autism, when viewed through the eyes of others, can often be miscued, but they’re, in fact, a normal part of life. Its a spectrum disorder that shows its symptoms in many variations and people with the condition experience their autism individually. They operate on different social rules, express their thoughts in their way, move and… Read more
According to the CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association, around 30 million Americans have dealt with an eating disorder at some point in their lives. An eating disorder is characterized by severe disturbances in one’s behavior, thoughts, and emotions in regards to food, eating, and weight. Although eating disorders can occur independently, they are… Read more
Many people are familiar with posttraumatic stress disorder, or have at least heard of it. However, did you know that there are other types of trauma and stressor related disorders? Trauma and stressor related disorders are defined by exposure to a traumatic or stressful event that causes psychological distress. In the past, trauma or stressor… Read more
With all the recent changes, chances are you’ve spent more time than ever at home with your family. While this can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, it can also create tension and highlight family problems. Not to mention the fact that your entire family dynamics may have changed as a result of having… Read more
Parenting is tough enough as it is, albeit trying to parent during a pandemic. With everything going on, chances are you and your family’s lives have suddenly changed. In fact, many families are now trying or preparing to navigate the complicated road of distance learning. While this is not how anyone pictured this year going,… Read more
When people hear the term “anxiety”, many will associate this with nervousness, an inability to sit still, sweating, or even rapid breathing or heartbeats. While these are certainly some of the more well known symptoms associated with anxiety, they are not the only symptoms. In fact, some people can experience anxiety in different ways and… Read more
As the country begins to open back up in an attempt to return to normal, you may be tempted to return to in-person psychotherapy sessions. After all, screens and speakers are no substitute for sitting in your therapist’s office. However, clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst, Todd Essig believes that there are more benefits to telepsychiatry in… Read more
As we continue to press forward through COVID-19, we face many uncertainties about the future. However, one researcher believes that we can expect certain trends in the future based upon things that have happened in the past. In his article, “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Psychiatric Illness”, Murray B. Stein, a psychiatrist and professor of Psychiatry… Read more
Our entire nation has been affected by COVID-19, whether directly or indirectly. For some this means becoming ill or watching loved ones become ill, while for others this can mean simply observing the chaos of the pandemic. Each of these experiences can be considered traumatic to the individual, however the entire pandemic can also be… Read more
Living through a pandemic is no easy feat. With so much happening around us, it’s just about impossible to not be affected in some way by COVID-19. While this stressful time is expected to take a toll on your mental health, there are a few signs that can indicate it may be time to seek… Read more
At the present moment, we are all dealing with COVID-19 and are faced with uncertainty. Many people are also experiencing varying levels of fear. Both uncertainty and fear can produce strong emotions that can be hard to deal with. Additionally, everyone is affected by the virus in different ways. Some people catch the virus, some… Read more
The last few weeks have become increasingly stressful for many of us. Unfortunately, the immediate future will likely be a struggle as well. This has caused many people, both continuing and new patients, to seek therapy as a way of managing their mental health during this tough time. However, due to the social distancing guidelines… Read more
While depression and anxiety are the most common mental health conditions, there are other types of mental health conditions that are not as common, but still quite prevalent. Among these are personality disorders. According to a 2003 study cited by the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 9.1% of Americans have some form of a… Read more
During a one on one therapy session, the patient and therapist go back and forth discussing certain concerns. Depending on the approach being used, the therapist may ask specific questions or encourage a patient to speak more about a certain topic. Nevertheless, one on one sessions are simply an exchange between two people. But, what… Read more
When you are struggling with your physical health, you go see your primary physician for advice, treatment, and possible medications. However, when it comes to struggling with your mental health, are you one to schedule an appointment with a therapist? Or are you likely to make excuses as to why you don’t need therapy. Truth… Read more
Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety from time to time when doing things like public speaking, a job interview, or starting a new job or school. Anxiety is the body’s emotional response to stress and can manifest as fear or nervousness about the future. While it is normal to experience anxiety occasionally, prolonged or recurring feelings… Read more