As a family therapist, I have gained some insights that helped me compile these cell phone and screen use rules for tweens. Never write or forward a photo, or anything in a text, that you wouldn’t want forwarded to everyone in your school, your principal and your parents. Remember that everything you send can become public. Always ask before you forward a ...READ MORE »
I’m writing to share some thoughts and information that I’ve gathered on managing technology within your family. I’m a mom of three children (7, 9, and 11), and like many of you, I spent the past summer battling screen usage with my three kids. It’s my most hated fight. I’m also a family therapist in the Washington, DC and ...READ MORE »
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 »
Divorced parents need to rely on email to communicate the logistics of running a two home family. Unfortunately, in my work counseling divorced parents, I witness fighting over email more than you would expect! Email arguments are rarely productive because someone can always come up with another counter argument. This serves to fuel conflict and will eventually spill over to ...READ MORE »
In my work as an adult therapist and parenting consultant and coach at The Sibley Group, I work with a lot of couples who are going through a divorce. This is an extraordinarily stressful time as there can be a lot of conflict between the two adults. When the conflict is high it is difficult to co-parent without the tensions ...READ MORE »
Becoming a mother is perhaps one of the most significant shifts in identity and roles that a woman can experience. You go from being responsible for yourself to being responsible for the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of your child. It can feel scary, daunting, exciting, hopeful, and paralyzing all at the same time. In this experience, you also ...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 »
Many students are in their first few days or weeks of school in the Washington, DC metro area. As a family therapist who also works with couples and parents, I’m often meeting with parents this time of year and reminding them how they can support themselves as they help transition their children back into school routines. I’m also a ...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 »
