A couple years ago, I went scuba diving for the first time. Before I was permitted to dive, I first had to sit in a classroom and learn how to use the equipment, how to communicate with my companions, and how to respond to potential challenges. Many people could probably be given scuba gear, sent into the water, and they ...READ MORE »
In the last blog, I shared information about The Parenting Pathway, which is my conceptualization of the parenting trek for parents of atypical kids. In my practice with children and parents in the past 25 years, I’ve been struck by how many parents discover so much about themselves as they are parenting and trying to help their children through ...READ MORE »
In a prior post, The Parenting “Aha,” I share about two authors who write about parenting. The Journey of the Heroic Parent: Your Child’s Struggle and The Road Home by Dr. Brad M Reedy, Phd, and The Awakened Family: A Revolution in Parenting by Dr. Shefali Tsabary. Both of these books highlight how parenting is more than a task; ...READ MORE »
In order to understand how to manage your stress and reduce feelings of distress, dysfunction, and dysregulation, it is important to understand a core concept related to increasing resiliency: the “Window of Tolerance.” When we encounter challenges, we all experience the feeling of stress in some way, shape, or form. Stress is not inherently good or bad – it is just ...READ MORE »
A couple years ago I wrote a blog that I’ve shared over and over again with friends and family, with information about how to find a therapist and what to expect as you start the process (https://thesibleygroupdc.com/new-to-therapy-heres-how-to-navigate-the-process/). I am writing this as a follow-up to that blog, because I still find myself talking with people fairly often who are unsure ...READ MORE »
When I work with parents of teens, I notice they often express a desire to support their child in three primary ways: by making a behavior change, navigating a challenge, or connecting with them on a deeper level. While each family copes with its own unique challenges, I usually find myself first coaching parents on the importance of validation. Now, when ...READ MORE »
Trauma symptoms arise when a stressor exceeds our ability to cope in that moment; it is when we move from manageable discomfort that we can respond to, into overwhelming or intolerable pain. In a stressful situation, our nervous system responds by energizing us into fight or flight mode; we confront the challenge, or seek safety. An adaptive response from our ...READ MORE »
As the pandemic has raged around us, we’ve all experienced some form of loss. For some of us, it’s been extreme, such as the loss of a loved one and for others, it’s been the loss of work opportunities, a graduation party, or the third grade field trip. For most, there was a loss of routine and constant new challenges. ...READ MORE »
So often, children come into our office for treatment of symptoms, and we later discover that parents are struggling with issues of their own. This might seem obvious–especially since COVID, what parent doesn’t have some level of stress, overwhelm, or some trauma from the past few years?! I have had so many parents express their fears to me: what if ...READ MORE »
We’ve all heard it- someone saying they are “so OCD” about something. “I’m so OCD about my closet! Everything just must be hung up and orderly.” “Ugh. She’s OCD about her make up. It takes her forever to get ready.” Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is not an adjective. It is a mental health diagnosis- one that is often a part of our everyday vernacular, misunderstood, ...READ MORE »
TSG is aware of the high level of need for mental health support and treatment for the families in our community and beyond, and an increasingly short supply of available therapists. We are excited to offer new services with immediate daytime availability: Mental Health Consultations. These appointments are a one-time or brief preventive and/or supportive service for individuals and families who are not engaged in therapy at TSG, yet could benefit from consulting with a mental health expert in a variety of ways. Email intake@thesibleygroupdc.com for more information or to schedule a consultation.
Click here for more information on on our new mental health consultation service.
