Back-to-School can be a stressful and emotional period for both children and parents. This can be true for all families, but if there was a recent separation or divorce in your family, you are likely starting the school year with a ton of new logistics and feelings to consider. Children can be especially anxious at this time. What will they ...READ MORE »
As families experience difficult changes and experiences, children are also experiencing it in their own way. It is important to know that children can come through difficulties such as the death of a loved one, a significant change event , and even trauma in a healthy way if the adults caring for them guide them effectively. As a therapist in ...READ MORE »
Emotions have a bad reputation in our culture. While we are typically comfortable expressing and being around others who are expressing joy, excitement, or a calm demeanor, we see other emotions as unacceptable. We understand that all humans of all ages experience a wide range of emotions, yet we don’t want to see them all, even in our children. Why? ...READ MORE »
A few weeks ago, in the midst of a hectic day of holiday shopping, I came across some Thanksgiving decorations on final clearance and recognized that I was definitely not thankful for the long lines and list of things to do. But as I waited in that line, I had time to reflect on the importance of gratitude and how ...READ MORE »
As a family and teen therapist in Washington DC, who often helps parents and teens navigate a better relationship, I’m writing to offer some impressions about how parents can go beyond just policing their teen to parenting them in a manner that feels more effective and more rewarding. We are all afraid of the police. Let’s be honest. An almost ...READ MORE »
Spring is here and the school year is finally winding down. Summer is just around the corner, and for many kids this is a fun time of year – a time to enjoy the nicer weather, look forward to summer vacations, and wrap up a successful academic year. However, for many families, this time of year can be a real ...READ MORE »
Recently, I’ve noticed a trend from social media that is playing out in children’s friendships. As a therapist who facilitates group therapy to aid children in their friendships in the Washington DC area, I have noticed that personalities and stories from certain social media platforms—which are played out in short clips or longer episodes—-are creating social templates for children’s friendships. ...READ MORE »
Over the course of this month, I’ve discussed what I mean when referring to the word “process” therapeutically when I work with children, adolescents, teens, and their families. In the previous two blogs, I have outlined how parents can have appropriate expectations and better communication with their children and teens. In this blog, I want to cover the third aspect ...READ MORE »
For many people who haven’t had experiences with therapy before, it can seem mysterious and intimidating. As a psychotherapist in the Washington DC area for the past 10 years, I’ve had many friends and family members ask me for guidance about whether they should seek help, who to go to, what type of treatment to ask for, and what therapy ...READ MORE »
In my work providing child therapy and family therapy in Washington, DC and Bethesda, MD, every day I hear from parents about scuffles at school, on the playground, or at home between siblings. Often after a pushing or hitting incident, the parent (or the child, if he or she is old enough) turns to the aggressor for an apology or ...READ MORE »