Category: Psychology
Psychology – Through the Eyes of My Inner Child
The sunlight streaming through the window tickles her little face as she lies sleeping in bed. The warmth cajoles her out of her slumber and her eyes flutter open. A sense of excitement embraces her and lifts her out of bed. She hears mama in the kitchen but she’s not ready to open that door [...]
Psychology – Searching for a Cause
When a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is initially made, a referral for a genetic consultation is commonly one stop in the line of specialists to which a family is sent. In the United States, ASD is estimated to affect approximately 1% of children and least 10% of ASD has a known etiology, which [...]
Psychology – Putting a Positive Spin on a Negative Behavior
If you have read any of my other articles, then you know that I work with “highly behavioral” children, or least that’s what they are often labeled at my place of work. Having a behavioral disorder has a very negative stigma and is associated with unpredictability, chaos, and sadly, poor outcomes. Through my work with [...]
Psychology – Being a “Good Enough” Parent
Recently, a newly divorced father, Matt, requested information from us about whether it was a good idea for his 18-month-old girl to have overnight visits. He was worried that his daughter spending a night away from the usual home would affect her sense of security. This is a sensitive matter of the heart and [...]
Psychology – Reflect, Ask, Connect, Support.
To a certain extent every child, especially younger ones, have difficulty managing emotions and controlling impulses. Impulsivity–acting before thinking–is part of being a kid. As a child Psychologist, I work with children who can be highly impulsive and often times, very aggressive. Many of these children are not born aggressive; they have learned that aggression [...]
Psychology – Who is The Fairest of Them All?
In a world of 6 billion people, there are an infinite number of ways to be different, to stand out from the crowd, to pave your own path. And yet many of us struggle with balancing the need to fit in with the need to be unique. Our sense of self is not always just [...]
Psychology – Grateful to be Breathing!
As a psychologist, I am acutely aware of the benefits of gratitude on the mind and spirit. Living in gratitude shifts our focus from the negative to the positive so that we can feel happier, more fulfilled and more abundant. As a human being, I am aware that it can be difficult to stay in [...]
Psychology – Acknowledging Fear
As we gain mastery over our lives, we are often faced with the challenge of overcoming debilitating fears. A good portion of my work involves helping others face their fears, but often my clients have something to teach me too. 8-year-old Mandy came to therapy because she was afraid of everything–of being alone, of the [...]
Psychology – Lessons from a Hermit Crab
I have found the biggest challenge in therapy is helping a client embrace change. Doing so in a hospital setting is even more difficult as it is a setting of perpetual transition–arriving at the hospital, adjusting to the new climate, facing the demons that brought you there, learning new behaviors, leaving and having to face [...]
Psychology – First Responder
At my workplace, I am usually one of the first people called to attend to a crisis. I am a first responder or, as I like to refer to myself, an EMT: Emotional Meltdown Technician. The memory of one particular episode is ingrained forever in my mind, as it was an experience that shaped the [...]
