The Laudable Life
Camp, I’m not going back!
Q: My child came home from camp declaring, “I’m bored and have no friends!” Now she’s begging to stay home, but I’ve paid for the entire session and need camp for childcare. Help!” A: Our parenting psychologist, Dr. Jill Jacobson, recommends the following: First acknowledge your feelings so you can support your child most effectively….
Body Positivity Under the Sun: A Journey Towards Embracing Summer Attire
Q: Summer is approaching, and with that comes the anxiety of having to wear more revealing clothes. I always feel so insecure about my body, and it prevents me from enjoying the season to the fullest. Do you have any advice on how to become more accepting of my body and feel more confident in…
Cool Mom, Out of Control Kids: How to Regain Authority Without Losing Your Connection
Q: We have that house where all the kids like to hang out. That’s just how I like it. I’m the “cool mom,” and, truth be told, it’s a bit of an ego boost for me. That said, sometimes these kids are a bit much. They help themselves to food in the kitchen and leave…
Is Psych Testing Really Necessary?
Q: Why should I choose a comprehensive psychological evaluation when I can get a diagnosis from my child’s physician? What value does testing offer? A: This is a great question! The value of a comprehensive psychological evaluation (often referred to as “testing”) by far outweighs the costs. To begin, it provides you with a holistic…
Making the Most of Your Second-Choice School
Q: When applying to colleges, my top dream school was always Tufts; I could envision myself being there, and I began to fall in love with it even more every day. However, I got rejected last weekend, and I am going to attend my second choice, Lehigh. Although this was my second choice, I didn’t…
A Clean Break Before College?
Q: I’m a senior at Northwest and have been in a relationship for two years. My boyfriend and I are both headed to college in the fall; I’m going to UCLA, and he’s going to Florida State. We’ll be so far from each other that we’re not sure if we should continue the relationship. I…
The Correlation Between Marijuana and Educational Outcomes in Teens
As teen marijuana use is on the rise, parents all over the country are worried about how their teens’ marijuana use could impact their education. The human brain continues to develop until the age of 25, and research suggests using marijuana can interfere with this development, affecting how connections are formed in the brain. Studies…
What Is the Best Type of Exercise For Mental Health?
Q: Help me settle a debate. My best friend says that cardio is the best form of exercise to lift one’s spirits this winter. I think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and so we’ve been discussing it. I disagree; I find cardio repetitive and mundane and I would rather just lift weights. But I’m…
Am I being a Scrooge to my over-giving in-laws?
Q: My values during the holidays are to focus on my family and gratitude, but my in-laws want to shower my kids with an obscene number of gifts. I don’t want to offend them, but it makes me uncomfortable, and it is not the sort of value I want to convey to my kids. What…
Child Middleman for Parent’s Communication
Q: My parents got divorced a few months ago, and our family life has been a mess ever since. When they first separated, my mom started communicating parenting logistics to my dad through me. I didn’t mind at first because it meant they wouldn’t fight, but then my dad started doing the same. It grew…
It's not an easy time to be a kid. Perhaps it never is, but now it's especially true. Let us help you understand and support your child's needs.
Is your teen struggling with school, in their relationships with friends, with you? Do they seem irritable, withdrawn, unmotivated, sad? Our therapist know how to help.
Are you looking to make some aspect of your otherwise good relationship better? Maybe you’ve tried all the strategies that make sense to you.