The Laudable Life
Valentine’s Day Expectations Too High?
Q: Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and my son is struggling to come up with ideas for celebrating with his girlfriend. His younger sister says all his ideas are “lame” and won’t satisfy his girlfriend and her social media audience when she reports what he did. This is very upsetting to me. It seems…
Badger or Back Off My Child about Taking Their ADHD Medications
Q: My 10th grader has ADHD. He’s pretty inconsistent about taking his medications. He doesn’t mind them; he just forgets. He gets annoyed when I remind him and feels “babied.” But if he’s not consistent, it really impacts his school performance. We’re about to go into his junior year. The stakes are high for him…
Animal-Assisted Strategies at Home
Q: My son enjoys his therapy sessions with his therapist and her dog Winnie. Can we apply some of these Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) strategies at home with our dog? A: Certainly! Here are three ways Elsy Estrada, LMSW, recommends integrating Animal-Assisted Therapy techniques at home: Teaching Boundaries: You can use your dog, let’s call her…
Is My College Freshmen Depressed?
Q: Our oldest is in his first semester of college. In many ways, it appears to be, “So far, so good.” At least academically, that is. But we’re worried. He doesn’t seem to be making friends. When we ask him how things are going, he just talks about classes and band practice, which are “fine.”….
Why EFT Might Be the Best for Infidelity Issues
Q: I’ve been persuaded that my wife and I need assistance discussing her feelings for another man. I’ve Googled therapists in our area and am admittedly overwhelmed by all the choices. How do I choose the right therapist to help us? A: First, selecting a therapist with advanced training in working with couples is essential….
My Wife Refuses to Talk with Me Outside of Couples Therapy
Q: My wife’s former classmate from grad school moved to the area six months ago. They’ve been getting together occasionally for drinks to catch up. He seemed like a nice enough guy, and I’ve been invited to join them. I went once and felt like an awkward third wheel. So, I stopped going or even…
Will My Girls Ever Be Close?
Q: I’m very close with my sister. I was sure my girls would be the same. Sadly, they’re not. It’s fighting, ignoring, and avoiding. My husband says not to sweat it, but I can’t help but wonder if they will ever be close. A: Your children’s relationship saddens you, but remember, sibling rapport is intricate…
Summer Reading: You Can’t Make Me!
Q: I’m stressing about my child’s reading! He likes it when we read to him, but it’s such a battle to get him to sound out words or read independently. Do we give up at this point or continue to push him? School is starting in a few weeks and I feel like he’s behind….
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…
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.