Teenagers and Therapy: How to Make it Work
Understanding the Unique Needs of Teenagers in Therapy I recently have had an influx of adolescents in my office and I have learned some valuable lessons about how to approach them in the most effective ways. Teenagers have very distinct needs and do not really fit...
Stop Saying “No”!- Tips for Positive Parenting
Children learn best from experience and instruction, which requires parents to set limits on behaviors. However, that does not mean children need to be told "no" hundreds of times each day. Studies show that toddlers typically hear the word "no" 400 times daily, which...
The Problem with Labeling Children
The Hidden Power of Labels on Children’s Self-Esteem We live in a society that labels everything. We have labels on our clothes, our cheeseburgers, our meat and produce, and the list goes on. We like the convenience of neatly packaged words so we can sum up the...
(More) Ways to Create Memorable Holidays with Your Kids
Creating Meaningful Christmas Memories for Your Kids Last year, I wrote an article with ideas and ways to keep the focus on what is important during the Christmas Season. It doesn't even seem that a year could have passed so quickly, but here we are in December again!...
A Praise vs. Encouragement Lesson From My Driveway
Recognizing Everyday Opportunities for Play Therapy Techniques The more I learn about Play Therapy techniques and principles, the more attuned I am to recognizing when to use them in everyday situations. There are not many dinners out with my husband where I do not...
The Importance of Social Skills for Children and Families
Why Socialization is Essential for Healthy Families Socialization is a basic instinct that drives behavior. Wolves live in packs, cattle move in herds, fish swim in schools, geese travel in gaggles. 🙂 Anyway, it seems that the most developed of the animal kingdom...
Children and Health: Keeping Fit and Active
Why Kids Are Less Active Than Ever We are seeing more and more the obesity epidemic sweep the country. As we eat more and exercise less, we are dealing with increases in heart problems, diabetes, and medical complications. Unfortunately, the same is true for the...
Back to School Tips for Kids
Going back to school is always filled with lots of emotions for children. Some can't wait and others dread it. Each child is different, so structuring your back to school planning should recognize the specific needs of each child. First, remember that each child is...
Common Sources of Behavior Problems in Children
I love "people-watching". I go to malls, grocery stores, parks, etc. and watch how people think, behave and speak. Sometimes this is enlightening for me, and I am able to understand certain things about families. I suppose because I am trained in recognizing patterns...
Developing Self-Esteem in Children
Building Healthy Self-Esteem in Children: Why It Matters from Age 3 A child begins to develop and build self-esteem as early as 3 years old. Self-esteem and self-acceptance come from many different influences and areas, but work together to help a child establish a...
The Real Danger of Cyber-bullies
Cyberbullying: The Hidden Threat to Children in the Digital Age The schoolyard antics of the past are easy to visualize: larger kids picking on smaller ones, the tough giving the weak a hard time, the popular jock demeaning the anti-social geek. However, the most...
Is Your Child Getting Enough Rest?
Many parents put their children to bed and think they will peacefully drift off to sleep within minutes. Unfortunately, it is often not that easy. The National Sleep Foundation reports that 70% of children ten and younger are suffering with some type of sleep problem....