Child Therapist
When Your Child Doesn’t Want To Hug Grandma (or other adults)
Q: My four-year-old child is extremely shy and retreats when relatives try to hug or kiss her at greetings and departures. I’m afraid my daughter is coming across as rude or unloving, or that I look like an overly indulgent parent because I am not making her do it. Sometimes they say things that suggest…
Animal-Assisted Therapy and More, Explained
Definitions and Clarification Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) Animal-Assisted Therapy is occurring when a qualified, certified therapists and health care providers employs the use of their own animal, or another trained animal, as a part of a therapeutic treatment plan. Therapy Dogs and Facility Dogs can at times be included in this category. Riley at our practice…
When ADHD Makes Homework Time Hell
Q: I need help getting my child to focus on school work. I have tried helping him myself throughout the school year. Unfortunately, he is constantly distracted by something and needs help sitting still for even five minutes. He was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and I’m starting to think that label is taking his motivation…
When Your Family Is a Bunch of Scrooges
Originally Published in the Lakelands Leader in our advice column The Laudable Life Q: It’s early December and as usual I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the things I needs to get done; school parties, work parties, neighborhood parties, gift shopping, family travel, and decorating the house before we go away for the holiday….
Stepping Back from Parenting Your College Student
Originally published in our advice column the Laudable Life in the Lakelands Leader Q: Our oldest child is leaving for University of Maryland next year. She’s excited, but I’m nervous. I won’t be there to wake her up for her 8am classes and I won’t be there when she needs me. What if she doesn’t…
3 Tips For Communicating With Your Teen
It is no secret that communicating with teenagers can sometimes be difficult. As an adolescent, your priorities and experiences are just different than those of an adult. It can be easy to fall into a pattern of not really communicating with your teen; it may seem like you’re speaking two different languages, and you each…
4 Signs Of Trauma in Children
As much as we would like to, we cannot completely shield our children from trauma. Whether it is disturbing event or a tragic loss, no one can completely avoid trauma. However, with the right tools, we can help children to healthily cope with their feelings of loss, fear, and sadness. At Kentlands Psychotherapy in Gaithersburg,…
Does Your Child Have Asperger’s?
Asperger’s syndrome, a neurological disorder on the autism spectrum, has become more commonly diagnosed in recent history. Therefore, there are many parents who come to us, concerned that their child may have Asperger’s. If you suspect that your child may have this disorder, it is crucial that you bring them into Kentlands Psychotherapy for child…
Getting The Most Out Of Family Therapy
Family therapy helps families improve the way they communicate and resolve conflicts. Family therapy can be a healing experience, and you may find that it strengthens your bonds to each other. If there is conflict in your family and you are having difficulty communicating with one another, family counseling may help. At Kentlands Psychotherapy, we…
Does Your Child Need Counseling?
It is always difficult to see your child in pain, but when the issue is mental, not physical, it can be particularly devastating. When your child scrapes their knee, you can give them a band-aid and a kiss, but when your child is suffering emotionally, it isn’t so cut and dry. It is hard to…