http://www.goodtherapy.org/child-and-adolescent-issues-article.html Latest articles Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:45:14 GMT en-us http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/impulsivity-african-american-girls-bulimia-0209123/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/impulsivity-african-american-girls-bulimia-0209123/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:00:33 GMT Bulimia has been linked to psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and substance misuse. Other behavioral problems, including aggression, oppositional defiance, and impulsivity, have also been shown to increase the risk for disordered eating and bulimia in White American girls. However, to date there has been little research focusing on how these behaviors and mental health issues contribute to the development of bulimia in African American girls. Previous studies have demonstrated that externalizing behaviors predict eating issues, but this relationship has not been examined longitudinally. To address this gap, Lindsay P. Bodell of the Department of Psychology at Florida State University recently led a study that looked at how conduct behavior and impulsivity influenced the onset of bulimia in African American girls over a period of 9 years. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/dealing-with-troubled-youth-bullying-0208124/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/dealing-with-troubled-youth-bullying-0208124/ Wed, 8 Feb 2012 17:51:45 GMT ?Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.? This cliché does not hold true for children, teens, and young adults who are bullied on a daily basis. Words do hurt. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed in our communities and society at large. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cannabis-psychosis-sexual-abuse-0207123/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cannabis-psychosis-sexual-abuse-0207123/ Wed, 8 Feb 2012 03:00:30 GMT The development of psychosis is often the result of a traumatic childhood event. Sexual abuse is one factor that has been shown to increase the likelihood of psychosis. Emerging research is suggesting that cannabis use is another factor that significantly increases the risk for psychotic symptoms. However, there is little research devoted to examining how early sexual trauma and cannabis use influence each other and an individual?s risk for psychosis later in life. J. E. Houston of the Division of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University in the U.K. wanted to find out how these two distinct experiences would affect one?s chances of developing psychosis. Houston recently led a study that examined information from 7,403 individuals who participated in the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey of 2007. Specifically, Houston and a team of researchers looked at individuals who had experienced a sexual trauma or sexual abuse prior to the age of 16. Additionally, participants who used cannabis before age 16 were also identified. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/new-baby-sibling-opposition-0207121/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/new-baby-sibling-opposition-0207121/ Tue, 7 Feb 2012 17:14:35 GMT Sibling rivalry is a term that is casually used when describing the unharmonious relationship between siblings. When an only child is about to become a big brother or sister, parents are often concerned about sibling rivalry and, in particular, how their child will react when they are no longer the only child. Most children, nearly 80% in the United States, have at least one brother or sister. This transition to siblinghood (TTS) is seen by some experts as one of the most traumatic events a child experiences. Mothers and fathers of only children express concern about their child?s behavior prior to the arrival of a new baby and often worry about how their child will react and respond. Because most children who experience TTS do so at a critical time for emotional development, between the ages of 2 and 3, experts have suggested that this stage is a time of extreme stress for children and parents, with some even stating that many children experience a crisis during TTS. To determine if TTS poses a threat to the well-being of a child, Brenda L. Volling, of the Center for Human Grown and Development at the University of Michigan, recently analyzed 30 studies devoted to child development and behavior during TTS. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/social-phobia-anxiety-italian-children-0206122/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/social-phobia-anxiety-italian-children-0206122/ Mon, 6 Feb 2012 22:00:45 GMT Social phobia (SP) is one of the most common anxiety problems that American adults suffer from. Anxiety in general, and SP in particular, usually first develop during early adolescence and are more common in children who struggle with inhibition and extreme shyness. This can cause these already emotionally fragile children to withdraw from social settings, including parties, sports, and other activities that involve performing or speaking in front of others. Children with early anxiety and SP are more likely to experience psychological problems than their peers and are at increased risk for later substance misuse. Adults who suffered with SP as children often continue to have difficulties in social settings and exhibit poor relationship skills and psychological well-being as a result of their anxiety. Identifying SP in childhood, therefore, is critical to healthy social adjustment throughout the teen years and beyond. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/premature-babies-risk-depression-anxiety-0203121/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/premature-babies-risk-depression-anxiety-0203121/ Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:28:36 GMT According to a new study led by A.C. Burnett of the Department of Psychology at the University of Melbourne in Australia, children born prematurely and with low birth weights (LBW) are three-and-a-half times more likely to develop mental health problems such as depression and anxiety than normal birth weight (NBW) children. Children born prematurely are already at increased risk for physical health problems, learning disabilities, and other cognitive challenges. Some research has provided evidence that children who are born prematurely are at a higher risk for behavioral problems and even attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But until now, there has been little evidence suggesting that these children are also more vulnerable to mood disorders and mental health problems later in life. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/obsessive-compulsive-behavior-eating-disorders-0202122/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/obsessive-compulsive-behavior-eating-disorders-0202122/ Thu, 2 Feb 2012 22:54:32 GMT Eating disorders (ED) can manifest in different ways and most often develop during adolescence. Anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia, and binge eating are just some of the problems that teens struggle with when they develop eating and food issues. Existing research has demonstrated a link between obsessive-compulsive behaviors and disordered eating, but little attention has been given to how the presence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children affects the development of ED in adolescence. In order to provide evidence of the relationship between OCD and ED from childhood through young adulthood, N. Micali of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Kings College in London conducted a study that followed 126 children over 9 years and assessed them for symptoms of ED. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/time-to-separate-family-0202124/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/time-to-separate-family-0202124/ Thu, 2 Feb 2012 18:32:52 GMT Families need to be together. After all, the family as a group exists to provide support, nurturance, food, shelter, resources, and a stable future to each member. While most families have their ups and downs, even stressed, impoverished, chaotic families want to live with one another. When is it in the family?s best interest for members to separate from one another? Can leaving the family home for a short while ever bring healing to the relationships in the long run? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-based-treatment-anorexia-teens-0202121/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-based-treatment-anorexia-teens-0202121/ Thu, 2 Feb 2012 17:34:25 GMT Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an approach that is used to treat many mental health challenges, including anorexia nervosa in teens and adults. Anorexia, which usually develops during adolescence, is seen by some as an individual?s method of gaining control over something in their lives during a time in which they feel controlled by parents, teachers, peers, and society in general. CBT has been seen as an appropriate treatment because it addresses the cognitive and behavioral processes, the thinking and eating habits of the teens. However, in a new study, James Lock, professor of Child Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine, tests the validity of family-based treatment (FBT) for the treatment of anorexia. FBT aims to bring the teen to a healthy weight with the assistance of the parent and then relinquishes the maintenance of that weight back to the teen while examining the emotional and social challenges facing the teen. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/anxiety-predicts-bipolar-children-0201122/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/anxiety-predicts-bipolar-children-0201122/ Wed, 1 Feb 2012 22:57:28 GMT Individuals with bipolar disorder struggle with many issues, including poor treatment outcome and overall decreased functioning. Anxiety is common among individuals with bipolar disorder and can exacerbate the negative symptoms, resulting in suicidal ideation, poorer quality of life, more severely impaired functioning, and even nonresponse to medication. But little research has examined how the comorbidity of these two mental health problems affects teens and children. Additionally, there is a narrow body of evidence examining the relationship between the two issues. Understanding the correlates between anxiety and bipolar in young people can significantly benefit their treatment. Children with bipolar who exhibit symptoms of anxiety alone may be prescribed medication that can increase their depressive states, causing their conditions to deteriorate rather than improve. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/risk-factors-illicit-drug-use-0201121/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/risk-factors-illicit-drug-use-0201121/ Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:23:47 GMT Experimentation is a common behavior during adolescence. Young adulthood is a time when individuals begin exploring new relationships, activities, and even substances. Drug use among young adults is not uncommon. However, adolescents who continue to abuse drugs and alcohol are more likely to engage in risky sexual activity, aggression, and unlawful behaviors. There are many factors that have been shown to increase the likelihood of substance abuse during this time, including anxiety, depression, childhood trauma or abuse and family history. In order to identify which factors pose the highest risk to teens, Michael Harrington, a psychiatrist with the Health Sciences Center of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg examined data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a longitudinal study designed to assess mental health issues in adults over several years. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/risk-factors-for-ocd-0131121/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/risk-factors-for-ocd-0131121/ Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:46:12 GMT One risk factor for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is something known as neurological soft signs (NSS). These minor disturbances in brain functioning have been shown to be present in people with OCD more often than in people without OCD. Some studies have isolated NSS and discovered that individuals with OCD and NSS have impaired reflexes and motor coordination, as well as more severe symptoms of the disorder. Other risk factors that have been suggested are decreased intelligence, temperament, childhood trauma, and emotional functioning. In order to identify how each of these specific domains influences the vulnerability for OCD, J. R. Grisham of the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales in Australia led a study examining data collected over 30 years. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-and-friendship-0131124/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-and-friendship-0131124/ Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:23:29 GMT I was talking to one of my colleagues about the age of my son and the age of his daughters. His daughters are much older than my almost 1 year old, but he was able to give me some great wisdom. The wisdom was that ?friendship comes later.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/football-boys-bullying-connection-0130123/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/football-boys-bullying-connection-0130123/ Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:00:55 GMT With football season nearing end, emotionally charged teen boys, who are taught how to use aggression on the field, will no longer be able to use that physical outlet for their youthful frustrations. Because of the high level of violence in the sport, experts have wondered if these teens, who are encouraged to use coercion, intimidation, and other aggressive tactics during play, are more likely to engage in bullying behaviors off the field than their nonathlete peers. Nearly half of teens today report that they have been either the victim or perpetrator of bullying. And although football does not endorse bullying, players are encouraged to aspire to masculine norms and conformity. Therefore, researchers have asked, do these factors make the players more vulnerable to bullying behaviors? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/stress-environment-gender-affects-response-0130122/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/stress-environment-gender-affects-response-0130122/ Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:00:18 GMT One method for measuring reactivity to stress is to assess the level of autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning. In a recent study, Lisa M. Diamond of the Department of Psychology at the University of Utah used skin conductance (SCL) to measure ANS among 110 children 14 years old. The purpose of her experiment was to determine if teens? reactions to stress were influenced by their own predisposition or by their environments. Specifically, Diamond wanted to find out if boys and girls differed in how they handled stressful situations based on their baseline ANS and if the environments in which the teens lived, single-parent or dual-parent households and parents with internalizing or externalizing behaviors, would affect the way the teens reacted. Previous research has shown that negative environments negatively affect children who are sensitive to stress. These same children have also been shown to react positively to positive environments. To clarify if the outcomes realized in past studies were the result of the children?s sensitivity, the result of the environment alone, or a combination of both, Diamond evaluated all of these factors. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/self-compassion-defends-against-helplessness-0127124/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/self-compassion-defends-against-helplessness-0127124/ Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:30:47 GMT After having worked in a residential treatment facility for abused and neglected girls for 8 years, I observed that the phenomenon of learned helplessness had become an all-to-common denominator for these children. It was very rare that an abused child was placed with us for a single incident of abuse. By the time these children reached our facility, many of them had already been physically or sexually abused numerous times throughout their childhood and adolescence. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/girls-multimedia-multitask-cost-0126123/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/girls-multimedia-multitask-cost-0126123/ Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:00:12 GMT Half a dozen years ago, less than one-fifth of 12-year-old girls had a cell phone or iPod. Now, according to recent statistics, more than half of our young women own one if not both of these devices. Our culture has taken a dramatic technological shift over the past decade. And although there has been much research dedicated to examining the effects of multimedia on college students and adults, little attention has been given to the effects this has on the social skills and academic functioning of our young girls. Roy Pea of the School of Education at Stanford University wanted to find out exactly how use of media outlets in general, and multitasking between such outlets in particular, affected the social well-being of young girls. He was particularly interested in determining if relationships forged online or over texting and video chatting were stronger and more intimate than those developed through in-person communication. Pea also looked at rejection coping, positive and negative affect and hours spent using media in relation to total sleeping hours per day. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mood-challenges-during-pregnancy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mood-challenges-during-pregnancy/ Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:06:21 GMT A lot of attention has been paid to postpartum depression, due in part to celebrities such as Brooke Shields, Marie Osmond, and Gwyneth Paltrow helping to destigmatize the most common complication of childbirth. As an advocate, therapist, mother, and survivor of postpartum depression, I am happy that medical communities and the public at large are becoming familiar with perinatal mood/anxiety disorders (PMADs, the clinical term). However, there is still much work to be done. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/divorce-rituals-with-children-0126124/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/divorce-rituals-with-children-0126124/ Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:38:49 GMT The decision has been made. You and your spouse are divorcing. There are a multitude of decisions to be made, and it is often difficult to know where to begin. You will be making decisions regarding when the children are with you and when they are with your spouse, whether to keep the family home and, if so, who keeps it. There will also be a host of other decisions you did not realize you made automatically on a daily basis that will now become conscious decisions because living in two different homes requires more coordination. While you are addressing these decisions and working to manage your own emotions, you and your spouse may also want to think about how to help your children make the transition from your predivorce to your postdivorce family as simple, conflict-free, and understandable as possible for their developmental ages. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/attachment-related-distress-children-012512/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/attachment-related-distress-children-012512/ Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:00:35 GMT Attachment bonds are formed in early childhood. Relationships with nurturing attentive caregivers result in secure attachment bonds in children as they age. However, dismissive caregivers who neglect or avoid relationships with their children tend to cause insecure and dismissive attachment behaviors and perceptions in these children. The attachment bonds directly shape children?s internal working models (IWMs), the way in which children see the world and others around them. But little attention has been given to how these attachments predict a child?s behavior and IWM in the absence of the caregiver. To address this issue, Lars O. White of the Yale University Child Study Center and the University of Leipzig in Germany conducted an experiment to determine how children?s IWMs would predict their behaviors and perceptions in new social settings. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/compassionate-or-cautious-adolescent-development-0123123/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/compassionate-or-cautious-adolescent-development-0123123/ Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:00:44 GMT Adolescents receive various messages from their mothers. But a new study, led by Laura Wray-Lake of the School of Behavioral and Organization Sciences at Claremont Graduate University, suggests that messages of caution and compassion have a particularly significant influence on the socialization and behaviors of teens. Compassion messages are inferences that people should all be treated with respect and value, whereas caution messages teach children to be wary of the world and people around them. Wray-Lake and her colleagues looked at several factors that influenced the value messages of the mothers, specifically, socioeconomic status (SES), neighborhood cohesion, family construct, and age and gender of the teens. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-reduces-risky-sexual-behavior-african-americans-0123122/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-reduces-risky-sexual-behavior-african-americans-0123122/ Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:11:22 GMT It is well established that racial discrimination can have negative emotional consequences, including depression and anxiety. But understanding how racial discrimination influences risky sexual behavior, both directly and indirectly, has not been fully explored until now. Megan E. Roberts of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College wanted to find out how racial discrimination affected the sexual behavior of African -American youths and what factors could protect these teens from this type of behavior. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gravity-of-autism-part-2-0123124/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gravity-of-autism-part-2-0123124/ Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:30:09 GMT In my efforts as a counselor, helping couples and individuals raise children with autism, I've combined what I learned in school with what I've learned in my own journey. My last blog talked about that gravitational pull autism has on a family. I'd like to address a few ways we can limit that pull from affecting every aspect of our lives negatively. These are not quick fixes, and you won't find a step-by-step guide here. It's a process that requires daily practice, much like yoga. There is no end point, and you will not have ?arrived?; it's ongoing. I like to call it living mindfully and with intention. Mindfulness simply means that you're paying attention to or are aware of what you're doing, thinking, saying, and believing. Living with intention means you're not just going through the motions of life, allowing autism or any other problem to control you. You are purposefully making decisions that lead to the goals you set in your life. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/positive-affirmations-help-teens-0119123/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/positive-affirmations-help-teens-0119123/ Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:00:52 GMT Value affirmations, also known as self-affirmations, are positive assessments of one?s abilities, traits, and personality qualities. Value affirmations can increase self-esteem, self-worth, and fulfillment of one?s needs. When an individual recognizes their own worth and has a strong sense of identity and autonomy, they are more willing to help others meet their needs. This relationship between self-worth and prosocial behaviors has been examined in the past, but until now, few studies have looked at the effect of value affirmations on prosocial attitudes in adolescents. Sander Thomaes of the Department of Psychology at Utrecht University in the Netherlands recently conducted a study that sought to determine if subtle value affirmations could have a short-term and long-term positive effect on adolescents? prosocial behaviors and attitudes during the crucial years of identity formation. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gravity-of-autism-0116124/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gravity-of-autism-0116124/ Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:30:38 GMT Definition: Gravitational Pull; The attraction that one object has for another object due to the invisible force of gravity. The mass of an object affects its gravitational pull. The gravitational pull of the Sun keeps the planets in orbit around it. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/media-creates-narcissists-0113121/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/media-creates-narcissists-0113121/ Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:21:58 GMT Reality television depicts average people rising rapidly to instant fame. Other media outlets, including YouTube and Facebook, provide people with the opportunity to gain the attention of a virtual audience with the push of a button. Young people today are bombarded with images of fictional fame, as in the case of Hannah Montana and other television characters, and real fame, through reality programming and media coverage of athletes, musicians and actors. But how has this phenomenon affected the aspirations of our youth? Yalda T. Uhls, of the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, wanted to find an answer to this question.  Culturally, there are different views of fame. For instance, Uhls noted that boys from wealthier countries envision a successful man as one who is relaxing or engaged in sports. In contrast, boys from economically disadvantaged countries see an ideal adult man as one with a career and responsibilities. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-therapy-helps-suicidal-lgb-youth-0112121/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-therapy-helps-suicidal-lgb-youth-0112121/ Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:31:36 GMT Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) teens are at increased risk for suicide due to peer victimization and minority discrimination. These actions can have serious psychological consequences for teens, including plummeting self-esteem, anxiety, hopelessness and depression. ?No experience, however, is more pernicious than parental rejection,? said Gary M. Diamond of the Department of Psychology at Ben-Gurion University in Israel, and co-author of a study examining treatments to reduce suicide among LGB youth. ?Societal homophobic messages, cultural values and religious beliefs lead some parents, at least initially, to perceive their child?s same-sex orientation as perverse, immoral, disgusting, and/or dangerous,? said Diamond. This type of disapproval from parents can lead to intense negative feelings, including shame, anger and guilt, which often manifest through maladaptive behaviors. Teens that experience this type of rejection often behave violently or engage in humiliating or abusive acts. Many times the tension is so severe that the children are forced out of the home or leave voluntarily. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/being-mindful-empathy-building-play-therapy-0112114/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/being-mindful-empathy-building-play-therapy-0112114/ Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:30:53 GMT It is not a surprise that we have heard much stirring in the last several years about the importance of empathy and its role in everything from attachment, to neural development, to world positivity. There is an empathy shortage in the world, and we are seeing the far-reaching effects. Bullying. Violence. Insensitivity. Selfishness. In practice, we often see the damage done with children who are traumatized because of early life experiences characterized by a lack of empathy. Abuse, neglect, emotional bankruptcy, painful attachments and a violation of trust all contribute to a child?s ability or disruption in naturally cultivating this inherent trait. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/helping-children-cope-with-divorce-0105114/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/helping-children-cope-with-divorce-0105114/ Thu, 5 Jan 2012 18:58:44 GMT Divorce may be one of the worst moments in your life, and it will impact everything happening in yours and your children's lives. Many children will experience the pain, frustration, stress, and loss that divorce brings to their lives.  While kids are very resilient, they need help adjusting to a new life when their parents are separated. There are many things that parents can do to help their children with the divorce process. Often, how parents deal during the divorce impacts how children handle their loss. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-need-direct-answers-after-interparent-violence-0104113/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-need-direct-answers-after-interparent-violence-0104113/ Thu, 5 Jan 2012 02:00:04 GMT Over 15 million children live in homes in which intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs. ?A sizable proportion of these children experience significant mental-health problems, but many appear to experience only mild distress, especially those drawn from community samples,? said Renee McDonald of the Department of Psychology at Southern Methodist University. ?Parent? child communications about interparent conflict may represent another important dimension of parenting for children who have been exposed to IPV.? Children who witness interparent conflict often express curiosity about the conflict. A number of mothers have reported that if asked, they would explain to their children about the conflict. However, to date, few studies have looked at that behavior to identify the influence it would have on the child?s adjustment. ?It seems plausible that mother? child communications about interparent conflict affect children?s understanding of the conflict, and theorists often point to the importance of children?s understanding of their parents? conflict in influencing children?s adjustment,? said McDonald. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/supportive-fathers-reduce-daughters-stress-0103113/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/supportive-fathers-reduce-daughters-stress-0103113/ Wed, 4 Jan 2012 02:00:53 GMT Adolescence can be an especially stressful time. However, a series of recent studies suggests that having a supportive father may help reduce that stress, especially for teen girls. ?Recent research indicates that father attributes are associated with psychobiological activity in young children,? said Jennifer Byrd-Craven of the Department of Psychology at Oklahoma State University, and lead author of the study. ?The present studies examine the association between the quality of father? daughter relationships and daughters? morning stress system activity, baseline stress system activity, and stress response to self-disclosure with a friend.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mother-daughter-relationship-affects-sexual-behavior-in-african-american-girls/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mother-daughter-relationship-affects-sexual-behavior-in-african-american-girls/ Tue, 3 Jan 2012 22:00:25 GMT Strong mother-daughter relationships provide many positive psychological benefits for teen girls. For African-American girls with mental health problems, this relationship may also serve to prevent risky sexual behavior that could lead to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). ?Relative to other ethnic groups, African-American girls tend to initiate sex earlier, report higher rates of sexual activity during adolescence, and they account for the highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea,? said Erin Emerson of the Department of Psychiatry, Community Outreach Intervention Projects at the University of Illinois. ?African-American girls in psychiatric care are at even greater risk because teens with mental health problems report more sexual risk-taking than do their untroubled peers.? Emerson recently led a study to identify what factors would influence sexual activity in this segment of the population. She said, ?Guided by a social-personal framework, this study explored three mechanisms that may be associated with sexual behavior among African-American girls in psychiatric care: attachment to mothers, attachment to peers, and perceived peer norms.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-bullying-changes-with-maturity-0103121/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-bullying-changes-with-maturity-0103121/ Tue, 3 Jan 2012 18:15:26 GMT Bullying has become an epidemic among American youth. Adolescents are especially vulnerable to the negative mental and academic effects of bullying. ?Name-calling, which can involve homophobic epithet use, is the most frequent form of victimization experienced by sexual minority youth,? said V. Paul Poteat of the Department of Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology at Boston College, and lead author of a recent study examining the pattern of bullying throughout the high school years. ?Being called these epithets is associated with elevated mental health concerns and lower sense of school belonging for sexual minority and heterosexual youth.? Additionally, students who report being victimized also exhibit poorer academic performance and increased truancy and absenteeism as a result of the patterns associated with bullying behaviors. Poteat said, ?The identification of these patterns of change is critical to develop effective programs to counter this behavior, provide adequate resources, and foster environments that promote the psychological, social, and academic development of students.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/reward-children-with-food-alternates-1228114/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/reward-children-with-food-alternates-1228114/ Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:17:54 GMT Society has centered itself around food. Graduations, parties, get-togethers, family and life events - all of these are surrounded by food. Individuals may use food to reward themselves on a job well done, or to console themselves when things are not going well, or if they are feeling bad about something. Each person is different on how they use food in their lives. Nonetheless, food is a part of our lives and will continue to be so. This article is not about making a person feel bad about themselves at all; it?s about raising awareness for parents on other ways to reward children, and if anyone else can be open to these ideas, then that?s even better. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/religiosity-affects-teen-substance-use-1227111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/religiosity-affects-teen-substance-use-1227111/ Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:00:02 GMT Adolescents who have thrill-seeking personalities are more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol. ?Among risk factors in the individual domain, sensation seeking consistently has been identified as a positive predictor of health risk behaviors (Zuckerman, 2006), including substance use,? said Alex W. Mason of the National Research Institute for Child and Family Studies in Boys Town, Nebraska, and lead author of a recent study. ?An important adolescent protective factor in the individual domain is religiosity.? Previous research has shown that religious values and church attendance heavily influence a teen and can prevent them from engaging in risky behaviors. To test this theory further, Mason led a study examining how the various aspects of religiosity affected teen substance use. ?In summary, this study examines thrill-seeking measured in early adolescence and two dimensions of religiosity, religious salience and religious attendance, measured throughout the teen years in relation to late adolescent substance use frequency among a sample of rural youth,? said Mason. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/readiness-ruler-best-tool-for-adolescent-alcoholism-1226112/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/readiness-ruler-best-tool-for-adolescent-alcoholism-1226112/ Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:00:52 GMT Adolescents who enter treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUD) must be ready to change their behavior in order for treatment to work. Unlike adults, many adolescents are sent to treatment against their will and do not desire to make the changes necessary to overcome their problems with alcohol. Measuring the motivation level of the adolescents, and determining what stage of readiness they are in, is a critical component to ensuring a positive treatment outcome. The three primary measures used to assess readiness to change in the adult population are the Stages of Change and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES), the Readiness Ruler (RR) and the staging Algorithm. The SOCRATES measures readiness to change through scaling, the RR is a ten question scale, and the algorithm bases its evaluation of readiness on a five stage scale. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/item-response-theory-for-depressed-youth-tested-1226111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/item-response-theory-for-depressed-youth-tested-1226111/ Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:00:28 GMT ?For clinical researchers, the closest thing to a gold standard for the assessment of child and adolescent depression is a semi-structured clinical interview, typically administered not just to the child but to a parent or other caregiver as well,? said David A. Cole of the Department of Psychology and Human Development at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, and lead author of a new study examining the validity of the IRT for adolescent depression. ?The application of item response theory (IRT) to semi-structured clinical interview data can simultaneously advance the understanding of psychopathology and enhance the fidelity of its measurement.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cue-intervention-reduces-obese-children-cravings-1220112/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cue-intervention-reduces-obese-children-cravings-1220112/ Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:00:05 GMT Over one third of American children are overweight. The standard method of treating these children is behavioral therapy designed to provide the child and parents with education, nutritional knowledge, exercise techniques and the skills necessary to modify behaviors. Statistics have shown that these methods are effective and that one in three children responds positively to this type of treatment. However, two thirds of children do not. ?It is possible that the effects of biological and environmental factors cannot be overcome through behavioral therapy or that people who are overweight or obese are a heterogeneous group who do not respond to a single treatment,? said Kerri N. Boutelle of the Department of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the University of California in San Diego. ?Thus, it is imperative to develop additional approaches to treat overweight and obese children in order to maximize efficacy for a larger number of patients.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/integrated-cbt-reduces-addicted-adolescent-suicide-rate1220111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/integrated-cbt-reduces-addicted-adolescent-suicide-rate1220111/ Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:30:44 GMT Adolescents who struggle with alcohol or drug use disorders (AOD) are at increased risk for suicide. ?In a review of the adolescent suicide literature, rates of any AOD were found to range from 27% to 50% among adolescents who died by suicide and were associated with 6- to 8.5-fold increase in risk of suicide,? said Christianne Esposito-Smythers of the Department of Psychology at George Mason University. ?Rates of AOD among adolescents who attempted suicide ranged from 12% to 50%, and an AOD was associated with a three- to four-fold increase in the likelihood of suicide attempts.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/prosper-successful-with-community-interventions-1216113/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/prosper-successful-with-community-interventions-1216113/ Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:00:55 GMT The quality of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) is directly related to the overall success of the community programs. ?First, low-implementation quality is associated with poorer EBI outcomes,? said Richard Spoth of the Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute at Iowa State University, and lead author of a new study examining the effectiveness of EBIs. ?Second, the quality of EBI implementation tends to drift over time. That is, the longer service providers are implementing a given EBI with successive cohorts of youth, the more likely the implementation is to drift to lower quality levels, absent quality controls.? Community EBIs rely on many factors to be successful. ?Thus, it is critically important to examine the ability of community-based efforts to sustain quality implementation of EBIs with successive cohorts of youth, particularly with community-based teams,? said Spoth. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/self-criticism-risk-factor-for-adolesecent-bulimia-1216112/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/self-criticism-risk-factor-for-adolesecent-bulimia-1216112/ Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:00:12 GMT Perfectionism is multi-dimensional, including evaluative concerns (EV) and personal standards (PS) of perfectionism. ?Whereas PS perfectionism is primarily defined by the setting of high standards per se, EC perfectionism is primarily defined by self-critical features such as concern over mistakes and doubts about actions,? said Liesbet Boone, faculty member of the Department of Developmental, Social and Personality Psychology at Ghent University in Belgium. ?Both clinical accounts and empirical studies suggest that perfectionism is strongly involved in the development and maintenance of eating disorder (ED) symptoms.? In a recent study, Boone attempted to address two specific questions relating to perfectionism and eating problems. ?Do both PS and EC perfectionism have unique relations with ED symptoms? Or is only EC perfectionism uniquely associated with ED symptoms?? asked Boone. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/managing-holidays-1216115/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/managing-holidays-1216115/ Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:43:52 GMT Your home is festively decorated, exactly as you want it to be ? every ornament is carefully positioned on the tree, and strings of garland and lights frame the doorways. The sweet smell of freshly baked cookies and the warmth from a crackling fire reach to every corner. Your children are filled with gleeful anticipation as they wonder what is inside the biggest packages under the tree. As you stand back to take it all in, you are filled with pride that you have created such an idyllic Christmas for your family to enjoy and cherish in their memories for years to come. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/frequent-mild-psychosis-risk-factor-for-clinical-psychosis-1215113/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/frequent-mild-psychosis-risk-factor-for-clinical-psychosis-1215113/ Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:00:32 GMT Adolescents who exhibit mild psychotic episodes will rarely go on to develop full blown clinical psychosis. ?Longitudinal studies in general population samples, using follow-up intervals from 6 months to 8 years, have shown that, in most adolescents, psychotic experiences disappear over time and do not persist into adulthood,? said J.T. Wigman of the Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. ?However, in a minority of adolescents, subclinical psychotic experiences progress to clinical psychotic illness.? In an attempt to determine what factors contribute to the later development of psychosis in teens with subclinical psychosis, Wigman conducted a study that examined minority status, cannabis use, stress, social adaptation and attention. He used parental reports to gauge the teens? behavior and also considered childhood trauma as a risk factor. Additionally, Wigman examined how often the teens received mental health care for their psychotic episodes, as previous research has shown this to be a significant predictor of further psychosis. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/holiday-traditions-different-with-autism-1214115/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/holiday-traditions-different-with-autism-1214115/ Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:30:47 GMT We spend most of the year teaching our kids with autism how "things are supposed to be"; how to behave, how to make friends, how to clean up, etc. Then, once a year, we turn it all on its head and expect our kids (who don't deal well with change, and take everything we say literally) to buy into the "magic and wonder of the holidays". Let's take a moment to look at a few of our holiday traditions and what they might look like through they eyes (and brain) of a child with autism. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/birthplace-affects-alcohol-treatment-outcome-hispanic-adolescents-1213111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/birthplace-affects-alcohol-treatment-outcome-hispanic-adolescents-1213111/ Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:01:07 GMT Alcohol and drug use are widespread among American adolescents, but even more prevalent among Hispanic youth in the United States. ?Familias Unidas is a Hispanic-specific, family based, substance use (including alcohol and drugs) preventive intervention,? said David Cordova of the Center for Family Studies at the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. ?Consistent with Hispanic cultural values, Familias Unidas places parents in positions of leadership and expertise in helping to prevent alcohol and drug use in youth by increasing positive parenting, family support of the adolescent, parental involvement, general parent-adolescent communication and parent-adolescent communication regarding substance use.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/positive-parenting-mediates-domestic-violence-effects-1212112/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/positive-parenting-mediates-domestic-violence-effects-1212112/ Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:00:41 GMT Young children who witness intimate partner violence (IPV) are at an increased risk for psychological difficulties, including emotional regulation. ?Emotional security theory suggests that witnessing violence is distressing and dysregulating for children, and repeated exposure to inter-parental conflict undermines their sense of security in the family,? said Hanna C. Gustafsson of the Center for Developmental Science at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and lead author of a new study examining the effects of parenting on a child?s ability to consciously suppress negative emotional responses. ?Thought to emerge during the first year of life, this type of volitional control has been shown to become more stable during the preschool years,? said Gustafsson. ?Learning how to focus attention and effectively regulate behavior is important for a successful transition to school, and self-regulatory skills at the transition to school have been shown to be predictive of both short- and long-term outcomes for children.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/surrogate-families-show-healthy-functioning-1208111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/surrogate-families-show-healthy-functioning-1208111/ Thu, 8 Dec 2011 19:13:38 GMT The number of children born through surrogacy has increased dramatically in the past several decades, up from 2,000 just fifteen years ago to over 17,000 in 2007. Susan Golombok of the Centre for Family Research, Faculty of Politics, Psychology, Sociology and International Studies at the University of Cambridge, has conducted prior research on surrogacy and preschool-aged children, but recently led a new phase of the study examining the effects of surrogacy on older children. ?There are two types of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy, in which the surrogate mother and the commissioning father are the genetic parents of the child, and gestational surrogacy, in which the commissioning mother and father are the genetic parents,? said Golombok. ?Thus, children born through gestational surrogacy lack a gestational link with their mother, and children born through traditional surrogacy lack both a gestational and a genetic link.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ability-imitate-risk-factor-infant-autism-127112/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ability-imitate-risk-factor-infant-autism-127112/ Wed, 7 Dec 2011 20:00:23 GMT Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an impaired ability to imitate sounds and gestures. This behavior is one of the early signs of ASD, but has rarely been examined in children under the age of 24 months. ?Examination of early developmental trajectories of imitation between 12 and 24 months, when imitation increases so dramatically in typical development, could illuminate the process of imitative development in ASD and could reveal important relationships with motor development, language, and other social behaviors,? said Gregory S. Young of the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Davis and lead author of a recent study examining imitation in children at risk for ASD. ?Thus, one of the primary aims of the current study was to collect prospective longitudinal data on imitation skills from 12 to 24 months in children who are later diagnosed with ASD at 36 months.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-turning-point-provide-positive-benefits-126111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-turning-point-provide-positive-benefits-126111/ Tue, 6 Dec 2011 16:37:28 GMT Turning points are life experiences that permanently change the course of one?s life. The death of a parent, a divorce, or even a geographical move are all examples of turning points that can have a positive or negative affect on an individual. ?The most defining characteristic of a turning point, however, remains that the event is perceived as significant or life-changing to the individual,? said Royette Tavernier of the Department of Psychology at Brock University, St. Catharines in Canada, and author of a recent study. How individuals process those turning points is referred to as meaning-making and is theorized to affect well-being. ?The purpose of this study was to examine whether meaning-making within turning point narratives, as well as the timing of these turning points, would be associated with psychological wellbeing among a sample of Grade 12 high school adolescents,? said Tavernier. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/skills-based-interventions-effective-youth-chronic-illness-1203111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/skills-based-interventions-effective-youth-chronic-illness-1203111/ Sun, 4 Dec 2011 16:00:31 GMT Living with a chronic illness is challenging at any age, but can be especially daunting, physically and psychologically, for teens. ?For adolescents and young adults (AYAs), the ongoing management of chronic illness can impose physical, emotional, and financial dependence at the time when increasing autonomy is the developmental goal,? said Ursula M. Sansom-Daly ofthe School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales in Australia. ?During this stage, individuals engage in identity formation, establish social competence, balance family and peer influences, develop and explore sexuality, and adapt to emerging intellectual abilities. Not achieving these significant milestones places individuals at heightened risk for poor adaptation within their future adult roles.? Additionally, pain from the illness and side effects resulting from treatment, also impair the teens? ability to achieve normal levels of social functioning. Sansom-Daly said, ?It appears that a young person?s capacity to negotiate the effects of their illness, while navigating complex social relationships, is key to successfully managing these developmental disruptions.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/understanding-online-gaming-addiction/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/understanding-online-gaming-addiction/ Fri, 2 Dec 2011 19:27:20 GMT Online gaming addiction is an addiction to online video games, role-playing games, or any interactive gaming environment available through the Internet.  Online games such as World of Warcraft, EverQuest, Halo, The Dark Age of Camelot, or Diablo ? dubbed "heroinware" by some players ? can pose much more complex problems. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bulimic-tendencies-rats-similar-adolescent-girls-1202111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bulimic-tendencies-rats-similar-adolescent-girls-1202111/ Fri, 2 Dec 2011 17:51:00 GMT Puberty is a time of emotional and physical development. It is also a time when many girls start exhibiting the first signs of eating problems. ?Rates of bulimic symptoms increase significantly with advancing pubertal development and predict the development of BN later in adolescence,? said Kelly L. Klump, Ph.D. of the Department of Psychology at Michigan State University, and lead author of a recent study exploring bulimic trends in adolescent rats. ?Early maturing girls are at increased risk for BN (bulimia nervosa) and binge eating both during and after puberty.? Most girls who develop food issues usually do so later in adolescence, but new research is suggesting that symptoms that are present prior to puberty and in early adolescence may predict the development of more severe food problems later on. Klump said, ?The presence of increased pubertal risk for binge eating in animals would provide strong confirming evidence of biological influences, as animals do not experience key psychological risk factors (e.g., increased body dissatisfaction) during puberty.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/saying-no-1201115/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/saying-no-1201115/ Thu, 1 Dec 2011 17:30:59 GMT A friend of mine posted on Facebook that her 2-year-old son wanted to have candy for dinner. She directly said ?No?, and of course her son kept on asking and she continued to say it and so forth. I understand her frustration, but I responded differently. I asked her, "why not?" Yes, I know candy for dinner is not the healthiest, and that a child needs other foods, etc., but before you continue, look at the boxes of sugary cereal that you may be feeding your child in the morning and then think about your answer. Sometimes candy is the same as Trix, Frosted Flakes (which I love), Captain Crunch, and other cereals. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/holiday-energy-balance-kids-1202114/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/holiday-energy-balance-kids-1202114/ Thu, 1 Dec 2011 16:30:28 GMT Do the holidays consume you with joy, merrily moving along, or do you find yourself rushing, pressed for time, anxious about getting it all done? Whichever way it unfolds for you, as we busily bustle through the holidays, it is important to remember that kids are doing the same thing right along with you, perhaps even to levels that create a sense of internal chaos and emotionality that they are unaccustomed to dealing with. This is especially true for those with sensitive natures or already existing anxieties. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/when-girls-are-bullies-1128115/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/when-girls-are-bullies-1128115/ Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:29:36 GMT Do you remember your first bully?the girl who called you fat, mocked your choice in clothes, or spread false rumors about you? Of course you do. It?s like a first kiss, a first drink, the first time you drove a car. Only this is a memory you wish you could forget. You may not recall her exact words, but you remember the girl, the time, the place. Did you ever wonder why she did it, what provoked her meanness, how she got to wield so much power? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/egg-sperm-donor-children-benefit-from-full-disclosure1128111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/egg-sperm-donor-children-benefit-from-full-disclosure1128111/ Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:00:41 GMT In the last several decades, more than 3 million children have been born with the help of an anonymous donor or gamete donation. These children are often raised by two parents, with whom only one of which they are biologically connected. ?Those who become parents through assisted reproductive procedures involving gamete donation tend not to tell their children about their donor conception; thus, the majority of children conceived in this way remain unaware that the person they know as their father (in the case of sperm donation) or their mother (in the case of egg donation) is not their genetic parent,? said Susan Golombok of the Centre for Family Research and faculty member of Politics Psychology Sociology and International Studies at the University of Cambridge in the UK. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/transphobia-fatal-effects-1122114/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/transphobia-fatal-effects-1122114/ Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:41:58 GMT In May this year, 16 people lost their lives to transphobic violence and hate: 11 in Brazil, and one each in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Venezuela. I know, because just a couple of days ago I read aloud the names of each departed soul at the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) observance in Oakland, CA. Of course, not all the names were known. Most were women, transgendered women, and if their names were not known, we usually knew something of where they lost their lives: their apartments, the street, a bathroom, on a bus... In May, their ages (if known) ranged from 15 to 39. Mercifully, I did not have to read the details of how each person was murdered. After each name, or ?name unknown,? a small gong sounded, and I went on to the next person on the list. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/friendship-reduces-bullying-1122111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/friendship-reduces-bullying-1122111/ Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:00:41 GMT Being the target of bullying can cause a child to internalize and experience a decrease in self-worth. Many children who are victims of bullying become isolated and withdrawn, and often have a limited social circle of friends. ?Because many of the correlates and predictors of peer victimization are common in children with ADHD, it is not surprising that children with ADHD are at elevated risk for peer victimization,? said Stephanie L. Cardoos of the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. ?Although more is known about risk factors for victimization than about protective factors, one well-established protective factor for those at risk of victimization is friendship.? Cardoos and her colleague Stephen P. Hinshaw recently conducted a study to determine what affect friendship would have on bullying. ?The overall purpose is to understand factors that may both predict and protect  against peer victimization in girls with ADHD, with a particular focus on friendship as a protective factor,? said Cardoos. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-interventions-decrease-child-psychopathy-1121113/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-interventions-decrease-child-psychopathy-1121113/ Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:00:42 GMT Identifying psychopathy in children is often the first step in predicting or preventing the development of further psychological and behavioral problems. Research has linked psychopathy to aggression, impulsivity and externalization in children. ?Such findings suggest that interventions that ameliorate child psychopathic features, in addition to child conduct problems, would offer a significant public health benefit,? said Renee McDonald of Southern Methodist University in Texas, and lead author of a recent study examining the effects of positive parenting on child psychopathy. ?Consistent with this, some reviewers have concluded?primarily from results of research with adults and adolescents?that interventions can indeed exert positive effects on psychopathic features.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/screening-tool-for-pediatric-bipolar-1121112/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/screening-tool-for-pediatric-bipolar-1121112/ Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:00:20 GMT College in London theorized that self-reports and parent reports of symptomology would provide a more accurate picture of a child?s overall behavior. ?This study uses an alternative approach to the question of youth BP starting at the level of individual symptoms that occur during an episode of elated mood,? said Goodman of his recent study. Goodman and his colleagues were concerned mostly with bipolar not otherwise specified (BPNOS), a condition that previous research has suggested eventually develops into BPI or BPII. ?These findings suggested that BP-NOS?defined by having episode durations of less than 4 days?is important and may be on a spectrum with BP-I and BP-II,? said Goodman. ?However, the particularly poor agreement between parent- and child-reported episodes and the fact that they did not increase in duration with advancing age did cast some doubt on the validity of BPNOS and whether it was on a continuum with BP-I and BP-II.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/dealing-with-troubled-youth-part-1-1118115/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/dealing-with-troubled-youth-part-1-1118115/ Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:30:33 GMT Drug use in the United States is a serious problem among the adolescent population. At some point in your teen?s life, it is likely that your son or daughter may use drugs as a result of peer pressure or maybe even experimentation. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depressed-females-ruminate-more-than-males-1116112/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depressed-females-ruminate-more-than-males-1116112/ Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:00:28 GMT Nearly 20 percent of adolescents will have experienced a major depressive episode by the time they reach the age of 18, with twice as many girls becoming depressed as boys. ?One possible explanation for the emergent sex difference in depression is a sex difference in rumination, which is the tendency to respond to negative events with perseverative attention on negative stimuli,? said Jordan Simonson, M.A., of the Department of Clinical Psychology at Seattle Pacific University and lead author of a recent study examining the differences in rumination between males and females. ?Females report greater rumination than males, and this sex difference partially accounts for the sex difference in depression.? Simonson and a team of researchers sought to determine what role gender plays in trait rumination and state rumination, response to a particular event, in teens. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/hope-decreases-youth-violence-1115113/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/hope-decreases-youth-violence-1115113/ Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:00:18 GMT At-risk youth are more prone to violence than children from higher socioeconomic conditions. ?Members of speci?c demographic groups, especially males and African Americans, are at particular risk for involvement in serious forms of violence and related negative health and social sequelae,? said S.A. Stoddard of the School of Nursing at the University of Michigan, and lead author of a recent study exploring the effects of hopelessness and violence. ?Youth who participate in violence are at risk for potentially life-threatening outcomes, including imprisonment, injury, and death.? Adolescence is a time of emotional change, and it is during this time that violence and aggression intensify, laying the groundwork for problems in other areas of a child?s life. ?Violence involvement during adolescence is also a potent risk factor for ongoing violence involvement into young adulthood,? said Stoddard. ?At the individual level, factors correlated with poor academic achievement, (e.g., impulsivity, attention and learning problems, and antisocial behavior) have been associated with higher levels of violence involvement.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/internet-based-therapy-helps-parents-children-1115111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/internet-based-therapy-helps-parents-children-1115111/ Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:00:39 GMT Live coaching is a technique that is helpful to parents of children who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the traditional setting, live coaching is conducted with the therapist behind a one-way mirror. The therapist instructs the parent on how to interact and respond to their cognitively-impaired child. The parent then responds through an earpiece. Although this method of treatment has proven to be effective, it is not always logistically or economically feasible. ?Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of several complex, low-incidence conditions for which skilled providers may not be available in a given community,? said Shari L. Wade of the University of Pittsburgh. ?TBI can result in parental distress, as well as long-term changes in a child?s cognitive and academic abilities, behavior, and social skills.? Additionally, TBI can create significant behavior problems that cause immense stress on the parents. ?Parent skills training coupled with education regarding TBI may reduce parental distress and improve child outcomes.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/thankfulness-with-autism-1114115/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/thankfulness-with-autism-1114115/ Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:18:53 GMT Thanksgiving is a time for family to come together and enjoy one another with grateful hearts. Or at least it's "supposed" to be that way. For families living with autism spectrum disorder, Thanksgiving can be a recipe for disaster. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/redefining-gender-rules-1114114/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/redefining-gender-rules-1114114/ Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:15:27 GMT When we are born, and these days often even before, the big question is, ?Is it a boy or a girl?? The way this question was answered when we were born impacts us every day throughout our whole lives. This is the day we are assigned a gender. In our culture we treat boys and girls, and men and women, very differently. Everything is gendered, from toys and clothes, to emotions and ways of thinking. No one is off the hook from these gender scripts; they tell us how to dress, act, and even how to interact with other people (Bem, 1993; Gagne & Tewksbury, 1998; Gagne, Tewksbury, & McGaughey, 1997). Some people fit these scripts well, and some people don?t. But before we can talk about gender, we have to define it. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/emotional-variability-predicts-adolescent-mood-behavior-11111102/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/emotional-variability-predicts-adolescent-mood-behavior-11111102/ Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:00:24 GMT Emotional dysregulation can be a predictor of future psychological problems. People who experience overwhelming worry or fear may be at increased risk for the development of anxiety issues. Individuals who have difficulty managing their anger and repeatedly exhibit explosive outbursts may have aggressive tendencies later on in life. ?High levels and prolonged duration of negative emotions and heightened emotional variability may be signs of emotional dysregulation,? said Anna Neumann of the Department of Developmental Psychology at VU University in the Netherlands. ?Individual differences in emotion regulation and their relation with the development of psychopathology become especially relevant during the developmental period of adolescence.? Neumann recently led a study that examined how four emotions; happiness, anxiety, anger and sadness, influenced emotional regulation and emotional variability (EV), during adolescence. ?Several cross-sectional studies demonstrate that in adolescence, high levels of negative emotions, and high levels of EV are related to symptoms of depression and externalizing problems.? Neumann added, ?These findings are commonly interpreted as suggesting that emotion dysregulation influences the development of psychopathology.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/distress-for-adolescents-with-funnel-chest-1110113/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/distress-for-adolescents-with-funnel-chest-1110113/ Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:00:58 GMT Funnel chest is a term used to describe the medical condition known as Pectus excavatum (PE), a deformity of the chest wall that occurs in one of every thousand children. ?It is well known that children with PE are affected by their body image, that they often experience embarrassment, have low self-esteem and feelings of stigma,? said Susanne Habelt of the Department of Pediatric Surgery at the University Children?s Hospital in Basle, Switzerland. ?These psychological criteria influence the patient's life deeply.? She added that although recent studies have looked at how surgery affects the quality of these children?s lives, few researchers have examined the psychological symptoms related to PE, both before and after surgery. ?With this as background the aim of our evaluation was to perform an extended psychological status in order to establish a psychological indication for treatment,? said Habelt. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/violent-video-game-play-linked-with-aggression-1108112/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/violent-video-game-play-linked-with-aggression-1108112/ Tue, 8 Nov 2011 21:00:51 GMT Many studies have examined the effect of violent video game play on adolescents? behavior. But few have looked at how violent video games influence aggression in these children long-term. Because almost all of American teens play some sort of video game, this trend warrants further investigation. ?What is concerning, however, is that over half of the adolescents surveyed reported playing violent video games, and five of the 10 most frequently played games were assessed as violent,? said Teena Willoughby of the Department of Psychology at Brock University in Canada. ?Similarly, it has been demonstrated in experimental research that playing violent video games temporarily increases aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, and physiological arousal.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/super-sizing-sex-1107113/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/super-sizing-sex-1107113/ Mon, 7 Nov 2011 16:37:10 GMT Several years ago, researchers Wolak, Mitchell, and Finkelhor published a highly disturbing article in Pediatrics magazine about youth exposure to online pornography which highlighted its effects on youth aged 10 to 17. Very few kids or young teens find their way into my office, but I?m beginning to see more and more young adults who began early and now struggle with the compulsion to watch online porn. According to Wolak and his colleagues, ?rates of unwanted exposure to sexual material among youth increased from 25% to 44% from 1999 to 2006, despite similar increases in the use of protective filtering software over that period.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/help-your-children-exercise-1103116/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/help-your-children-exercise-1103116/ Thu, 3 Nov 2011 18:55:21 GMT Everyone knows that there is a significant connection between exercise and physical health, and now there is research showing a connection between exercise and mental health. The question then becomes, ?How do we get our children and teens to exercise, knowing it is so good for them?? Typically, younger children will get 30 minutes of exercise each day at school, but experts suggest that children should get 60 minutes each day. Many teens get little or no exercise at all. As parents, we can encourage our children to get up and move, exercise, play and invigorate themselves, as this helps them to become healthier and happier in several ways. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/treating-eating-disorders-individuals-couples-families-1102113/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/treating-eating-disorders-individuals-couples-families-1102113/ Wed, 2 Nov 2011 16:10:02 GMT Last Friday, I gave a presentation at my state professional organization?s fall conference entitled, ?Illicit Lovers and Unwanted Guests: Treating Eating Disorders in Individuals, Couples and Families.? My organization, the North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, comprises Marriage and Family Therapists who address all sorts of different problems that bring people to therapy, including, but not limited to, issues that cause problems in relationships. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/girls-abuse-alcohol-after-poor-grades-1102111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/girls-abuse-alcohol-after-poor-grades-1102111/ Wed, 2 Nov 2011 15:00:30 GMT Maintaining a high grade point average (GPA) is just one of the stressors that adolescents struggle with.  How teens handle the issues they face during this emotional time is of concern to some researchers. ?Indeed, school achievement is a central normative pursuit for many teens, but adolescence is also a critical stage in the development of alcohol use and depressed mood,? said Nathan D. Shippee of the Mayo Clinic and lead author of a recent study examining the effects of academic stress and gender on alcohol use among teens. ?According to general strain theory (GST), the links between achievement, distress, and alcohol/substance use are multifaceted and dynamic. Strain arising from negative relationships and experiences can lead to various types of coping strategies, including behavioral or emotional responses.? The average teen begins drinking by age 14 and more than half of teenagers have already gotten drunk one time by the age of 18. Shippee said, ?Thus, teen drinking may function as behavioral coping and compensation for negative experiences; that is, strain may affect drinking frequency directly, rather than operating via increased distress.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parents-negatively-influencing-children-regarding-other-parent-1101113/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parents-negatively-influencing-children-regarding-other-parent-1101113/ Tue, 1 Nov 2011 14:23:14 GMT There are many ways in which one parent can influence how their children perceive their other parent. Often this is a positive experience for the children as they learn to appreciate both of their parents for what they each provide individually as a parent. Other times, this is a negative experience, especially during a divorce, making it very difficult for children to manage their feelings of loyalty and have loving relationships with both parents. It is sometimes the case where one parent is truly a danger to their children and should not have access to the children as determined by a court of law. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/deviant-talk-impedes-adolescent-treatment-1031112/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/deviant-talk-impedes-adolescent-treatment-1031112/ Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:45:16 GMT Deviant talk is a method of gaining attention from others, using sarcasm, jokes, or other tactics to evoke response. For adolescents, gaining the approval of peers is an important social behavior. For at risk youth, deviant talk as a method of gaining peer approval can be especially harmful when they are receiving treatment in residential facilities. ?It has been linked to escalation in adolescent substance use, violence, and child antisocial behavior,? said A.L. Zakriski of Connecticut College, and lead author of a new study examining the detrimental effects of deviant talk. ?Given the risk of harm, it is important for treatment programs to monitor deviancy training, especially when peer contact is high.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/choosing-holiday-memories-traditions-1031111/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/choosing-holiday-memories-traditions-1031111/ Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:30:48 GMT It?s the holiday season: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year!! A lot of things happen at this time of the year: parties, baking, family get-togethers, and creating a lot of fun memories. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depressed-adolescents-exhibit-impaired-reward-processing/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depressed-adolescents-exhibit-impaired-reward-processing/ Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:00:18 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychotherapy-effectiveness-for-depressed-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychotherapy-effectiveness-for-depressed-children/ Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:00:29 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/autistic-children-siblings-feelings/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/autistic-children-siblings-feelings/ Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:00:34 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/empowering-benefits-adhd-children-parents/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/empowering-benefits-adhd-children-parents/ Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:00:59 GMT Parents of ADHD children experience elevated levels of stress and often find their role dissatisfying. Some exhibit depressive symptoms as well. But a new study suggests that it is not the hyperactive-impulsive, attention (HIA) behavior of the child that causes these emotions, but rather the lack of control a parent of an ADHD child feels. ?Theoretically, it has been suggested that children with ADHD often have an underactive behavioral inhibition system, which means they are unresponsive to cues of possible punishment,? said Terese Glatz of the Center for Developmental Research at JPS, Orebro University, Sweden, and lead author of the study. ?Given that HIA and ADHD are similarly connected to parenting, this theory suggests that parents of children who are high on HIA should experience problems getting their children to follow directions and they should find rule setting essentially ineffective.? This problem leaves a parent feeling powerless over their child. ?According to this model, parents with low perceived power will view their children?s behavior as threatening and respond by behaving negatively toward their children. In contrast, high perceived power is expected to buffer against negative parenting behaviors,? said Glatz. ?Thus, these results show that parents? attributions about their power or lack thereof may be critically important when explaining why parents behave negatively toward children.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-style-influences-child-shyness/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-style-influences-child-shyness/ Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:00:45 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-death-during-childhood/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-death-during-childhood/ Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:03:48 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/blackberry-study-examines-youth-texting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/blackberry-study-examines-youth-texting/ Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:00:04 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-benefit-from-higher-expectations/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-benefit-from-higher-expectations/ Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:52:28 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/behavioral-approach-identifies-adolescent-bipolar/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/behavioral-approach-identifies-adolescent-bipolar/ Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:00:16 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-a-mood-anticipates-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-a-mood-anticipates-depression/ Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:00:33 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/effective-therapy-with-adolescent-substance-abusers/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/effective-therapy-with-adolescent-substance-abusers/ Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:00:02 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/effective-tools-identifying-pediatric-bipolar/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/effective-tools-identifying-pediatric-bipolar/ Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:00:32 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-with-cancer-linked-with-ptsd/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-with-cancer-linked-with-ptsd/ Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:00:16 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/maternal-depression-paternal-reactivity-childhood-odd/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/maternal-depression-paternal-reactivity-childhood-odd/ Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:00:48 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/compulsive-online-gambling-among-teenagers/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/compulsive-online-gambling-among-teenagers/ Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:29:20 GMT Internet Gambling has become an increasingly popular form of gaming. Through online web sites, users can gamble through interactive television and mobile phones. The convenience of 24-hour access, the ease of setting up an online account and the variety of sites from traditional betting, to casino gambling, to lotteries - all of this makes Internet gambling very appealing to some. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/underprivileged-children-conduc/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/underprivileged-children-conduc/ Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:00:00 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/testing-sociocultural-attitudes-towards-appearance-questionnaire/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/testing-sociocultural-attitudes-towards-appearance-questionnaire/ Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:15:03 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parental-monitoring-decreases-teen-sexual-activity/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parental-monitoring-decreases-teen-sexual-activity/ Fri, 7 Oct 2011 20:00:30 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/corporal-punishment-child-abuse-2/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/corporal-punishment-child-abuse-2/ Fri, 7 Oct 2011 19:28:42 GMT I?ve been thinking about my post, Great Job Anderson Cooper... But Don?t Stop There, and know there?s much more for us to understand in order to truly help end child abuse in our country and world. In fact, to help end not just child abuse, but abuse itself in our country and world. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/self-regulating-teens-develop-intimacy-well-being/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/self-regulating-teens-develop-intimacy-well-being/ Fri, 7 Oct 2011 15:00:06 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-depression-risk-factors/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-depression-risk-factors/ Thu, 6 Oct 2011 20:00:21 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/fatherless-children-with-behavioral-cognitive-disadvantages/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/fatherless-children-with-behavioral-cognitive-disadvantages/ Thu, 6 Oct 2011 01:00:32 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/increasing-childrens-self-esteem/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/increasing-childrens-self-esteem/ Wed, 5 Oct 2011 14:37:21 GMT Self-esteem encompasses beliefs (for example, "I am capable", or "I am valuable") and emotions such as joy, despair, pride and disgrace. Self-esteem is learned through our accomplishments, failures, and the feedback we receive from others. Parents can have the greatest impact on our self-esteem as we are developing into adults. Children want to be valued and loved, eventually taking those messages and, if given positive messages, it increases their self-esteem. Self-esteem is not narcissism, but respect for one?s self and abilities; it helps us to endure the difficulties in life we will all face. How do we as parents foster good self-esteem and ensure that our children are prepared for their lives? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/non-suicidal-self-injury-nssi-%e2%80%93-should-it-be-included-in-dsm-v/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/non-suicidal-self-injury-nssi-%e2%80%93-should-it-be-included-in-dsm-v/ Wed, 5 Oct 2011 13:20:37 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/corporal-punishment-child-abuse/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/corporal-punishment-child-abuse/ Tue, 4 Oct 2011 20:47:38 GMT Recently, CNN?s Anderson Cooper did a sad but powerful exposé on child abuse in some fundamentalist Christian sects in our country. The report, Ungodly Discipline, was definitely a positive step... but our examination of this topic shouldn?t be limited to the abuse of children by religious fundamentalists. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-parents-evaluate-family-therapy-differently/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-parents-evaluate-family-therapy-differently/ Tue, 4 Oct 2011 18:00:27 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bullying-response/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bullying-response/ Tue, 4 Oct 2011 14:31:37 GMT Bullying has been hitting headlines lately in strong force. Newspapers have been littered with horror stories of bullying, and states have attempted to address the issue through legislation. Historically, the impact of bullying has been minimized by the general public due to a general perception that being the recipient of such behavior is a rite of passage and that ?everyone goes through it?. This may be factually correct, but whether this rite of passage is something we want to maintain is being challenged, and rightfully so. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/supporting-gay-students/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/supporting-gay-students/ Mon, 3 Oct 2011 20:45:42 GMT I carry some pain with me from the times I have failed to be there for students when they really needed it. I have worked as a school counselor for over a decade, and I?ve always been particularly aware of students grappling with sexual orientation issues. Every situation has been different: some students have hinted that they may be ?uncomfortable? in their own skin; some have firmly rejected any insinuation they may not be one hundred percent straight; some students have come out to me before I had any clue they were even leaning in that direction. All of my interactions with gay students have left marks on my heart and soul. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/similar-behaviors-found-in-women-with-food-and-substance-issues/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/similar-behaviors-found-in-women-with-food-and-substance-issues/ Fri, 30 Sep 2011 01:00:03 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-anxiety-depression-personality-traits/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-anxiety-depression-personality-traits/ Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:00:53 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sexually-active-staying-safe/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sexually-active-staying-safe/ Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:15:21 GMT Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) can happen to anyone: single, married, heterosexual or homosexual. A person may not have symptoms for a long time but may still have an STD. Some STDs are treatable and others are not. Whether you have symptoms or not, STDs  can still be passed on without your awareness, so it is important for you to get checked out because you may think you are having safe sex, but you may not be. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/controlling-behavior-may-increase-cardiovascular-risk-for-adolescents/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/controlling-behavior-may-increase-cardiovascular-risk-for-adolescents/ Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:00:44 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ethnically-diverse-friendships-benefitschildren/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ethnically-diverse-friendships-benefitschildren/ Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:00:59 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-impulsivity-inhibition-predicts-gambling-problems/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-impulsivity-inhibition-predicts-gambling-problems/ Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:22:51 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/rights-children-have-in-divorce/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/rights-children-have-in-divorce/ Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:46:15 GMT We know that when a marriage ends it is the parents who are divorcing. But do we think about the fact that our children aren?t getting a divorce, they are getting two households in which to continue living with their family. Their parents relationship is changing to something different than they have yet experienced. What do you need to think about so that your children are taken care of as well as possible? For some, the question is what rights do children have in a divorce? Here?s a list that is a good place to start. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/special-needs-parents-families-resources/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/special-needs-parents-families-resources/ Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:24:26 GMT This last week, I had the honor and privilege of attending and speaking at Postpartum Support International?s 25th Annual Conference in Seattle, WA. I was moved and inspired by the amazing work gestating and being born in the perinatal world by so many compassionate professionals. (Refresher: ?perinatal? refers to the time from conception, through pregnancy, on through the first year after having a baby). http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mother-knows-best-stressed-youths/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mother-knows-best-stressed-youths/ Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:00:03 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/decreasing-poverty-increases-boys-violent-behavior/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/decreasing-poverty-increases-boys-violent-behavior/ Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:00:10 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/healthy-play-benefits-infant/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/healthy-play-benefits-infant/ Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:00:27 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/how-well-911children-adjusted/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/how-well-911children-adjusted/ Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:00:48 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/communicating-with-teens/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/communicating-with-teens/ Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:41:10 GMT ?I don?t know.? Is it the stock answer teens give their parents for every question? Does it mean more than just a lack of an answer? How do we get them to speak to us and to have a conversation? There are ways to talk to teens, develop relationships through communication and not feel like an interrogator. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/personality-influence-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/personality-influence-parenting/ Thu, 8 Sep 2011 20:00:20 GMT : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/trauma-systems-therapy-psychological-benefits-decrease-hospital-stay/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/trauma-systems-therapy-psychological-benefits-decrease-hospital-stay/ Sun, 4 Sep 2011 15:00:54 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-links-child-trauma-school-performance/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-links-child-trauma-school-performance/ Sat, 3 Sep 2011 01:00:31 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/suicidal-behavior-teen-self-harm/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/suicidal-behavior-teen-self-harm/ Fri, 2 Sep 2011 20:00:23 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gender-positive-emotion-boys-girls/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gender-positive-emotion-boys-girls/ Fri, 2 Sep 2011 14:32:20 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/social-sexual-factors-influence-bullying/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/social-sexual-factors-influence-bullying/ Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:00:29 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/unified-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/unified-parenting/ Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:16:12 GMT Kids are notorious for separating mom and dad. I am not talking about separation as far as divorce. I am talking about when a child asks dad about having ice-cream before dinner; knowing the answer will be ?NO? from mom, they go and ask dad who may say ?Yes?. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/emotionally-responsive-classroom/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/emotionally-responsive-classroom/ Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:10:51 GMT To be a teacher in the right sense is to be a learner. Instruction begins when you, the teacher, learn from the learner, put yourself in his place so that you may understand what he understands and the way he understands it. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/pediatric-diabetic-patient-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/pediatric-diabetic-patient-mental-health/ Tue, 30 Aug 2011 01:00:07 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/codependents-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/codependents-psychotherapy/ Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:14:42 GMT Co-dependents rarely have presented themselves for therapy with me by stating that they want help with their own co-dependency. Of course, as you might expect, they are focused on helping or saving somebody else. My last article focused on how people are identified as co-dependent through certain relationship issues. It focused on romantic relationships. Another way that they are identified is through family/child concerns. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/spanking-discipline-abuse/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/spanking-discipline-abuse/ Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:39:07 GMT I am guilty of spanking my children. My oldest has been spanked once, maybe twice, in his entire 17 years.  My seven year old has received a few prime swats, and other forms of discipline, in her short lifetime. My middle child, a fourteen year old boy, is much more intimately familiar with spankings. As an extremely hyperactive and unruly child, my son was constantly exploring things that were off limits, and often dangerous. Undeterred by the threats of toy removal, time-outs, and other non-physical forms of punishment, he pushed me to my limits and I resorted to the only other method I knew, spanking. At the tender age of five, he was quite adept at ?assuming the position.? He no longer covered his back end with his tiny hands, and as much as it drove me crazy, he developed a stoic resistance and would receive his spanking without so much as a tear. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/functional-family-therapy-at-risk-youth/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/functional-family-therapy-at-risk-youth/ Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:01:25 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/female-adolescent-depression-share-negative-thoughts/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/female-adolescent-depression-share-negative-thoughts/ Sun, 28 Aug 2011 17:00:48 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-low-income-mothers/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-low-income-mothers/ Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:19:47 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/intervention-could-increase-permanent-placement-for-foster-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/intervention-could-increase-permanent-placement-for-foster-children/ Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:00:19 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/poor-abuse-children-aggression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/poor-abuse-children-aggression/ Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:28:22 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/theraplay-classroom-autism/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/theraplay-classroom-autism/ Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:41:23 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-balance-parenting-style/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-balance-parenting-style/ Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:50:22 GMT From infancy through young adulthood, our children?s consciousness of themselves in the world is being forged, tenuously dangling between entitlement, insecurity and, we hope, a third and better option. We have the responsibility as parents to provide a developmentally-rich context in which satisfied needs for closeness and belonging are counterbalanced by increasing experiences of self-direction and significance. Mature parents successfully nurture both secure attachment and responsible autonomy. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/risk-factors-alcohol-misuse/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/risk-factors-alcohol-misuse/ Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:50:10 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-depression-socialization/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-depression-socialization/ Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:43:10 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-child-interaction-therapy-positive-outcome/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-child-interaction-therapy-positive-outcome/ Wed, 17 Aug 2011 01:00:58 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sudden-gains-children-post-traumatic-stress/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sudden-gains-children-post-traumatic-stress/ Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:50:43 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-depressed-parent/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-depressed-parent/ Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:25:39 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression-adolescent-delinquent-behavior/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression-adolescent-delinquent-behavior/ Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:00:44 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/manual-guided-therapy-client-alliance/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/manual-guided-therapy-client-alliance/ Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:00:13 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-military-family/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-military-family/ Mon, 8 Aug 2011 16:51:50 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/fearful-toddlers-anxiety/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/fearful-toddlers-anxiety/ Sun, 7 Aug 2011 15:00:28 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-respond-well-to-online-cbt-for-anxiety/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-respond-well-to-online-cbt-for-anxiety/ Sat, 6 Aug 2011 15:00:27 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/treatment-teens-drugs-alcohol/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/treatment-teens-drugs-alcohol/ Fri, 5 Aug 2011 15:48:52 GMT He was angry, aggressive, destructive, suicidal and blacking out. Then his parents found pipes, marijuana, and pills in his room and they suspected that he had been using other drugs. The family got into fights about his use and they tried different consequences to get him to stop using but his problems worsened and he kept using until he was arrested for possession. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/domestic-violence-pregnancy-bond/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/domestic-violence-pregnancy-bond/ Thu, 4 Aug 2011 01:00:12 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-stress-chronic-illness/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-stress-chronic-illness/ Tue, 2 Aug 2011 16:03:10 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/traumatic-news-events-collective-apathy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/traumatic-news-events-collective-apathy/ Mon, 1 Aug 2011 16:19:26 GMT I didn?t cry when I saw the panic stricken families of the 69 children shot dead on Utoya Island in Norway last weekend. I didn?t linger longer than usual when they showed the bombing in the center of Oslo that killed 8 people. The sight of shattered windows and blown up cars provided no shock and awe to me. My attention was only momentarily captured when a Virginia Tech student killed 32 students before taking his life in the spring of 2007. And in March of 2005, when a student in Red Lake, Minnesota, killed his grandparents, several classmates then himself, it hardly distracted me from my daily responsibilities of raising two children. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-adhd-transcendental-meditation/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-adhd-transcendental-meditation/ Sat, 30 Jul 2011 15:00:25 GMT Transcendental meditation (TM) was used in a new study to determine if it would help children with ADHD improve their focus and attention. ?We chose the TM technique for this study because studies show that it increases brain function. We wanted to know if it would have a similar effect in the case of ADHD, and if it did, would that also improve the symptoms of ADHD,? said principal investigator, Sarina J. Grosswald, Ed.D. The researchers recruited 18 children with ADHD, between the ages of 11 and 14, and had them participate in TM over a period of six months. The children?s brains were measured using an electroencephalogram for activity while they performed a rigorous visual-motor assignment. The task demanded focus, memory, attention and impulse control. The findings revealed that all of the children experienced increased brain functioning, processing abilities and even higher executive functioning, as a result of the TM. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sexual/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sexual/ Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:34:40 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression-signs-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression-signs-children/ Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:08:31 GMT Depression seems to be more apparent than it may have ever been. I do not have exact statistics with ages, gender, socioeconomic status and how depression has changed, but I do not think that it is necessary to go into that right now. At a time in any one person?s life, a person may or can experience depression. The severity of depression may be based on a number of factors such as: genetics, learned behavior patterns, environmental, family issues, individual perception of a situation and a person?s coping skills. These are the main ones that I particular see in my practice and in a hospital setting. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-mood-mimic-adhd-child/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-mood-mimic-adhd-child/ Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:00:52 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/improve-communication-resolve-issues-teens/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/improve-communication-resolve-issues-teens/ Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:35:19 GMT Teens often tell me their parents don't understand, don't listen or don't care about what they think. Parents wonder why their lectures fall on deaf ears. How do we bridge this communication gap? Parents often want to lecture instead of listen. Teens have heard it before and already know what their parents are going to say. As a result, the only purpose of a lecture is to make parents feel better. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mastering-craft-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mastering-craft-parenting/ Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:36:02 GMT ?Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/playful-parents/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/playful-parents/ Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:01:02 GMT Play is the special ingredient that offers a full and joyful life. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/self-esteem-equal-teen-girls-boys/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/self-esteem-equal-teen-girls-boys/ Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:41:14 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/premature-birth-linked-to-mental-health-issues-in-adolescence/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/premature-birth-linked-to-mental-health-issues-in-adolescence/ Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:31:55 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/preteen-values-fame-fortune/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/preteen-values-fame-fortune/ Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:00:27 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/positive-perception-may-lessen-teen-anxiety/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/positive-perception-may-lessen-teen-anxiety/ Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:09:19 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/drug-addictions-becoming-more-prevalent-in-suburban-youth/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/drug-addictions-becoming-more-prevalent-in-suburban-youth/ Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:00:00 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-stress-response-personality-type/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-stress-response-personality-type/ Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:00:32 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-depression-summer-structure/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-depression-summer-structure/ Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:02:32 GMT Most teens look forward to summer, school is out and the good life begins. Teens with depression, however, face a real challenge during this time of year. Assuming that your teen's school environment is positive or neutral, summer presents some real pitfalls when it comes to depression: http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/hollywood-body-image-eating/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/hollywood-body-image-eating/ Wed, 6 Jul 2011 16:03:56 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychological-impact-media-youth/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychological-impact-media-youth/ Tue, 5 Jul 2011 23:00:55 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-healthy-eating/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-healthy-eating/ Fri, 1 Jul 2011 17:46:41 GMT My son who is 4 months old is eating pureed foods now. He is eating and liking his fruit and vegetables. I am happy about that. I know that is all he knows at this point but as he grows up, it will be more of a challenge to have him eat his fruits and vegetables and I and my husband will be responsible for that. WOW! What a challenge but maybe with planning it can be smooth. How? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-help-child-anxiety/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-help-child-anxiety/ Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:07:09 GMT If our children are experiencing anxiety, beginning to panic, to feel so sick they refuse school or activities we want to help them. Nevertheless, how can we help a child when they are so anxious all they can seem to think about is the stressor that is provoking their anxiety? As a parent, you do not want to make the situation worse. There are solutions to help children the following ideas can be used together or separately and with repeated practice, children can learn to decrease their anxiety on their own or with a little encouragement. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/premature-birth-adolescent-mood-issues/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/premature-birth-adolescent-mood-issues/ Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:07:24 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/stressful-environment-child-lung-damage/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/stressful-environment-child-lung-damage/ Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:00:16 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/extreme-teen-diet-behavior-adulthood/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/extreme-teen-diet-behavior-adulthood/ Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:09:02 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/codependent-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/codependent-therapy/ Sun, 26 Jun 2011 14:00:44 GMT You may wonder how people get into therapy for co-dependency. Rarely do I have a client come in requesting help for co-dependency. More often clients come in for other issues, and we discover the co-dependency as I am getting to know them. I will describe some of the presenting problems that sometimes can be a red flag for co-dependency. Then, in subsequent articles, I will describe we work together in therapy to make things better. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/young-children-parent-cancer/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/young-children-parent-cancer/ Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:18:54 GMT ?Ellen? is six years old. Her mother has stage four breast cancer, which she has been living with for a couple of years. However, her health is starting to decline. She is starting to have a lot of bone pain, and feeling quite fatigued. Recently, she has had episodes of confusion, due to the metastases in her brain. Ellen knows something is wrong with mommy, but when she asks her parents, they tell her everything is fine and that mommy will be all better soon. They don?t want Ellen to worry. They believe that by not talking about her mother?s illness, Ellen won?t think about it. When Ellen says she is sad because mommy doesn?t play with her as much as she used to and she stays in bed a lot, her parents tell her she should be happy because mommy doesn?t have to be at work anymore. They think they are protecting Ellen from the fact that her mother is dying, and that that is the best thing to do for a child. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-mom-postpartum-depression-increased-risk-adolescent/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-mom-postpartum-depression-increased-risk-adolescent/ Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:50:06 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapists-fathers-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapists-fathers-parenting/ Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:13:16 GMT As a psychologist, I see many dads who take pride in and also struggle with being a father. In honor of Father?s Day, I would like to offer some reflections for fathers, families, and therapists about the importance of recognizing and celebrating fathers in therapy. Let?s start with a quiz: http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bracha-tool-forecast-violent-behavior-children-teens/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bracha-tool-forecast-violent-behavior-children-teens/ Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:00:06 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adhd-symptoms-young-girls-predict-adolescence-substance-use/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adhd-symptoms-young-girls-predict-adolescence-substance-use/ Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:00:58 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mri-preschooler-early-adhd-intervention/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mri-preschooler-early-adhd-intervention/ Wed, 15 Jun 2011 06:00:02 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gay-lesbian-teens-risky-behavior/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gay-lesbian-teens-risky-behavior/ Sat, 11 Jun 2011 06:00:44 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-ocd-indicator-food-issues/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-ocd-indicator-food-issues/ Fri, 10 Jun 2011 06:00:36 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/transmission-separation-anxiety-parent-child/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/transmission-separation-anxiety-parent-child/ Wed, 8 Jun 2011 12:33:34 GMT Most parents are uncomfortable when their children are upset or cry. But some parents are much more troubled by their children?s feelings when the child is reacting to physical separation. For these parents, leaving their child with a babysitter when they go out to dinner or dropping them at daycare or preschool when they go off to work, is emotionally unbearable. For parents who find the process of separating with their children so intolerable, it is often the case that they had emotionally difficult separations from their parents when they were children. When a parent?s separation anxiety is so intense, it is often, consciously or unconsciously, transmitted to their children. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/good-night-sleep-lower-aggression-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/good-night-sleep-lower-aggression-children/ Tue, 7 Jun 2011 19:00:38 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-outpatient-mental-health-care-er-visits/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-outpatient-mental-health-care-er-visits/ Tue, 7 Jun 2011 06:00:33 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-choose-parent-live-with/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-choose-parent-live-with/ Fri, 3 Jun 2011 13:44:32 GMT On a fairly regular basis I am asked by a parent how old their child must be before they can choose which parent they want to live with. Many parents tell me their child will be 12 years old, 13 years old, 14 years old soon and will be able to make their own decisions. They appear to be uniformly surprised to learn that a minor child does not have the legal right to decide which parent to live with. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-adhd-summer-activities/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-adhd-summer-activities/ Wed, 1 Jun 2011 21:22:52 GMT During summer while away from school many children lose of some of their academic skills that help them to succeed at their classes. Loss of these academic skills can be even worse for a child with ADHD. As a parent, what can you do to prevent this loss during their summer vacation? What activities or outings can help? Honestly, just about anything that keeps your children thinking and engaged. Did you know that some studies have shown that kids and teens 8 to 18 years spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a TV screen and almost 2 additional hours on the computer (outside of schoolwork) and playing video games. 6 hours of screen time a day and possibly more because it is summer and they do not have school. For activities, try the following suggestions. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/weekly-family-time/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/weekly-family-time/ Tue, 31 May 2011 15:59:03 GMT My son?s grandparents are out here visiting and it?s been great. We have done a lot of things, and some things that I really did not want to take a 3 month old to, like Disneyland but since they were here, we did. Today we are going to do a few more things before they leave tomorrow. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/are-teens-with-mental-health-issues-worse-drivers/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/are-teens-with-mental-health-issues-worse-drivers/ Mon, 23 May 2011 16:19:36 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adult-play-philosophy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adult-play-philosophy/ Tue, 17 May 2011 21:51:54 GMT Play is serious business! http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-self-embedding-behavior/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-self-embedding-behavior/ Sat, 14 May 2011 14:00:29 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-illness-root-healing/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-illness-root-healing/ Fri, 13 May 2011 19:44:12 GMT Oh no! Not another media medical correspondent saying what Catherine Zeta-Jones is dealing with ? bipolar two ? is not curable, but can only be managed and controlled. Not only did one more medical editor say this about Zeta-Jones, but he said it about mental illness in general: ?When it comes to mental illness, you talk about it more as controlled and managed*?? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/stard-mother-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/stard-mother-depression/ Thu, 12 May 2011 14:00:34 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-cortisol-bipolar-parents/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-cortisol-bipolar-parents/ Wed, 11 May 2011 14:00:50 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/school-mental-health-gap/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/school-mental-health-gap/ Sun, 8 May 2011 14:00:23 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-anxiety-brain-development/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-anxiety-brain-development/ Fri, 6 May 2011 06:00:09 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-perception-reality/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-perception-reality/ Thu, 5 May 2011 22:47:45 GMT When it comes to my experience, perception is always more powerful than reality. Everything that I am is influenced by that which I perceive to be true, whether it is actually true or merely imagined. As a therapist, I have a responsibility to notice and, at times, even confront perception. I would do well to proceed respectfully, empathically, and without unnecessary provocation. At times, those real or imagined perceptions that infuse every marriage and family that I sit with act as that great big pink elephant in the room?standing between spouses and parents and children?that, unacknowledged, has a way of impeding growth in relationships and, consequently, our work together. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-screen-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-screen-depression/ Thu, 5 May 2011 19:00:31 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-prevent-child-bullying/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-prevent-child-bullying/ Tue, 3 May 2011 14:00:11 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-listening-child-conversation/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-listening-child-conversation/ Mon, 2 May 2011 19:43:27 GMT Connecting with and creating a stronger relationship with your child starts with listening to them. There are specific skills that a parent can master that help you to show your children that you care by listening to them. Instead of arguments, listen and show your understanding while maintaining your position. By attending to them and inviting them to talk, you can take steps towards a great relationship. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-compliance-defiance/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-compliance-defiance/ Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:00:03 GMT I went to a Mothers Together meeting and there was a presenter that addressed how to get your child to be more compliant than being defiant. It was very interesting. I am going to share some of the information that I heard and found interesting as well as some of my own information. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/school-nurse-children-bullied/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/school-nurse-children-bullied/ Thu, 28 Apr 2011 06:00:30 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ptips-operation-stress-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ptips-operation-stress-children/ Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:00:23 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-adhd-substance-abuse/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-adhd-substance-abuse/ Wed, 27 Apr 2011 06:00:23 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/academic-performance-adhd-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/academic-performance-adhd-children/ Tue, 26 Apr 2011 06:00:43 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/uncontrollable-crying-childhood-behavioral-problems/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/uncontrollable-crying-childhood-behavioral-problems/ Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:00:40 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-trauma-adult-depression-cortisol/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-trauma-adult-depression-cortisol/ Sun, 24 Apr 2011 06:00:59 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-violence-mattering/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-violence-mattering/ Sat, 23 Apr 2011 19:00:56 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/body-image-transgender/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/body-image-transgender/ Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:29:58 GMT I decided to dedicate myself to investigating and writing about the experience of body in transgendered people. Though I am by no means ?expert? in working with this population, I have learned significantly from clients I have worked with who identified themselves as transgendered. I set out to organize my observations and insights by grounding them in current research, to offer something of use to the reader that was legitimized by work in the field. It struck me that in looking at body appearance satisfaction we could learn a lot from people who experience being born with, and living with, a body that they experience as opposite of what they were suppose to have. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-genetic-adhd/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-genetic-adhd/ Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:05:20 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-alcohol-addiction/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-alcohol-addiction/ Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:00:21 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-poor-friend-choice/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-poor-friend-choice/ Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:00:08 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/social-anxiety-misread-facial-expressions/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/social-anxiety-misread-facial-expressions/ Tue, 5 Apr 2011 06:00:28 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-mental-health-future-relationships/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-mental-health-future-relationships/ Sat, 2 Apr 2011 06:00:29 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-quiet-time/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-quiet-time/ Fri, 1 Apr 2011 19:34:56 GMT I was talking with my friend the other day about how she feels that she does not have any time for herself, with her 4 and 2 year old children. I recently had a son, whom is now 6 weeks old. I can understand how she feels. I know I should be napping when he?s napping and I should be napping now, but am writing this article. I procrastinated a little, but that?s another article. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ashley-bikini-self-esteem-young-girls/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ashley-bikini-self-esteem-young-girls/ Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:00:43 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/facebook-depression-youth-self-esteem/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/facebook-depression-youth-self-esteem/ Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:00:11 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-style-adolescent-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-style-adolescent-mental-health/ Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:11:57 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bullying-effect-brain-social-anxiety/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bullying-effect-brain-social-anxiety/ Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:00:42 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/academic-arguing-communication-skills/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/academic-arguing-communication-skills/ Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:00:39 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/surviving-sexual-assault/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/surviving-sexual-assault/ Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:00:28 GMT The recent sexual assault of CBS news reporter Lara Logan during her coverage of the February 2011 Egyptian uprising is a stark reminder that any woman is vulnerable to assault, regardless of her public status. You don?t have to travel to a distant country during political upheaval to be at risk. According to the National Violence Against Women Survey (2000), 17.6% of American women have been victims of an attempted or completed sexual assault. And while men can be sexual assault survivors, 90% of rape victims are women. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-children-mood-issues-treatment-decision/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-children-mood-issues-treatment-decision/ Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:00:42 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adhd-increase-creativity/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adhd-increase-creativity/ Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:00:00 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/animal-therapy-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/animal-therapy-children/ Thu, 17 Mar 2011 06:00:41 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/importance-outdoor-play/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/importance-outdoor-play/ Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:38:50 GMT Play is our human birthright and yet we see a devaluing of play in our culture. We are seeing the erosion of the value of play [http://usplaycoalition.clemson.edu] and play outdoors manifesting in nature-deficit disorder, a term coined by Richard Louv. When children and parents could be outdoors playing they are tied to a computer or television screen. Children and adults are experiencing greater incidences of obesity and other physical and emotional disorders due to the lack of physical activity, play outdoors, and connection with nature. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/negative-classroom-environment-children-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/negative-classroom-environment-children-mental-health/ Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:00:23 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-tantrums-healthy-anger/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-tantrums-healthy-anger/ Thu, 10 Mar 2011 07:00:55 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-self-assertion-talking-back/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-self-assertion-talking-back/ Mon, 7 Mar 2011 18:26:05 GMT At every stage of development, children thrive when their parents listen to their ideas about what they want even if those ideas are very different from parents? wishes for their children. When you consider and take your child?s perspective seriously, you are giving your child a gift of respecting their growing unique individual selves. This doesn?t mean you have to agree or say yes, but you do need to express your understanding of what your child wishes. When you are able to consider that your child is not talking back, but may be asserting his developing self, you will be providing your child with the foundation for developing self-confidence and self-esteem. Differences create much less distance between parent and child when they are acknowledged and respected. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/tell-children-getting-divorced/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/tell-children-getting-divorced/ Thu, 3 Mar 2011 21:05:47 GMT It is difficult enough that you are experiencing a major upheaval in your life. In addition to the feelings you may have of fear, anxiety, anger, or frustration, you also have children. Their lives are changing as well. You hope they haven?t been affected too much by the tension between you and your soon-to-be ex, but you don?t know for sure. What is the best way to tell them? The following is a list of some of the ideas you might want to consider: http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/baby-toddler-mental-health-problems/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/baby-toddler-mental-health-problems/ Thu, 3 Mar 2011 20:14:18 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-consequences-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-consequences-parenting/ Wed, 2 Mar 2011 20:01:01 GMT The subject of consequences comes up frequently in my work with teens and families. The fact that many parents of teens struggle with this area should come as no surprise. Up until adolescence, consequences are pretty straightforward and effective - if your little one wants this you distract with that, if she throws a tantrum you give choices and/or use a quick time out. For good measure we'll throw in a simple set of rewards and consequences for chores and behavior. Such is the journey that leaves one completely unprepared to parent adolescents. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-alcohol-use-alcoholism/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-alcohol-use-alcoholism/ Wed, 2 Mar 2011 19:40:20 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-obesity-sleep/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-obesity-sleep/ Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:54:15 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/women-body-image-media/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/women-body-image-media/ Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:58:24 GMT As a psychotherapist working often with people with eating disorders, I have helped many clients who were suffering from a negative body image. They may or may not have a struggle with food, but they don?t like their bodies, they don?t take pleasure in their bodies, they think their bodies are ugly. These are usually very attractive people. Where does this problem originate? What does it really mean to have a poor body image? What is the negative impact of living with this? How serious is it? What seems to makes it worse? What makes it better? How can we begin to have a deeper understanding of this issue in order to make a difference in the lives of people who struggle with negative body image? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-guide-behavior-punishment/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-guide-behavior-punishment/ Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:20:00 GMT How many times have I heard ?So, do you have a manual for my kid?? We learn from very early on in parenting that there is no such thing. Sure, there are generalizations about milestones, abilities and limitations, but just as adults are so different from one another, kids can be as well. For first time parents, it is hard to know what's normal for a certain age or what a typical reaction is when going through a stressful experience. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-behavior-problems-phase/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-behavior-problems-phase/ Wed, 16 Feb 2011 15:00:02 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/self-compassion-protect-against-bullying/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/self-compassion-protect-against-bullying/ Sat, 12 Feb 2011 20:00:22 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/raising-children-toxic-free-relationship/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/raising-children-toxic-free-relationship/ Tue, 8 Feb 2011 19:49:21 GMT What is happening in your child's body as they observe you and your partner fight it out over your latest big trust issue? If it's anything near the results taking place in your own body, they can actually taste the level of toxicity of the argument. As parents, we are hyper vigilant about the level of toxins in our children's food, playgrounds, and classrooms but we can be selectively blind to the level of toxins passed on through our relationship. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/social-emotional-health-benefit-academic-performance/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/social-emotional-health-benefit-academic-performance/ Tue, 8 Feb 2011 07:00:31 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/lgbt-experience-more-mental-health-problems/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/lgbt-experience-more-mental-health-problems/ Fri, 4 Feb 2011 15:00:08 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-say-i-dont-like-you-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-say-i-dont-like-you-parenting/ Fri, 4 Feb 2011 00:51:28 GMT It hurts, yes, but I don?t believe they really don?t like you. Kids, as young as 2, learn to say NO, have their feelings hurt and want to do things their own way. They do not have the cognizance to say, ?Mom, I?m mad because I can?t get my own way at this time. I understand why you said I couldn?t do something?. If they were able to then it would make things a whole lot easier! http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-juvenile-delinquent-counseling/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-juvenile-delinquent-counseling/ Fri, 4 Feb 2011 00:32:09 GMT Stress Management group came around once every 3 months in the adolescent court diversion program at which I spent a number of years as a counselor. Although life skills training was strongly emphasized throughout the program, much repetition was required, and on this day I and my co-facilitator had less than 2 hours to impart some useful information connecting concepts of healthy stress management practices, personal wellbeing and sobriety for a group of boisterous, uproarious and occasionally obnoxiously behaving teens. Dutifully copying much-used handouts and anticipating leading questions to get the group going once check-ins were completed and latecomers seated, I wondered what could be done to arouse interest in a discussion of this topic beyond the level of interest we?d seen from clients in past groups: interest in enumerating all of the things that others ? parents, teachers, counselors, peers, law enforcement and the judge ? were doing to stress them out! Reluctant to take responsibility for whatever behavior might have precipitated their being arrested, charged and referred to the program, many of the kids laid the blame for their woes at others? feet. As might be expected, many were quite reactive to having their views challenged, regardless of how respectfully and therapeutically this was done. And, when it came to talking about antidotes to stress, group members often tried to steer the discussion back to one of their favorite stress relief methods - using alcohol and other illicit substances - turning the group into a forum for debate rather than self-reflection and learning. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/flowers-metaphor-children-respond-environment/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/flowers-metaphor-children-respond-environment/ Thu, 3 Feb 2011 07:00:43 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-details-divorce/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-details-divorce/ Thu, 3 Feb 2011 01:07:14 GMT Most divorcing parents believe their children are being protected from the details of their divorce. They make sure they speak quietly into the phone when discussing them with family and friends. They don?t leave court papers or their financial documents around. They only work on them when the children are with the other parent. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/nature-therapeutic-adhd-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/nature-therapeutic-adhd-children/ Tue, 1 Feb 2011 20:00:45 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-social-network-sites-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-social-network-sites-depression/ Tue, 1 Feb 2011 15:00:48 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-child-suicide-signs/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-child-suicide-signs/ Tue, 1 Feb 2011 04:28:30 GMT Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Teenagers pose a greater risk of completed suicides because often they act impulsively without considering all of the consequences.  Suicide affects the entire community in which it occurs family, friends, teachers, neighbors, acquaintances; everyone is touched by the loss of any one to suicide.  Suicide can be preventable and with knowledge of signs, and symptoms and what to do, people?s lives can be saved.  Currently more men die when attempting suicide but more women overall attempt suicide. In the United States, approximately 18 per 100,000 males complete suicide each year, and four per 100,000 females complete suicide each year.  Several risk factors correlate towards a person committing suicide, including severe illness, depression, hopelessness, substance abuse, and problem gambling. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/girls-higher-rates-allergies-hygiene/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/girls-higher-rates-allergies-hygiene/ Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:00:04 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/girls-cyberbullying-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/girls-cyberbullying-mental-health/ Wed, 26 Jan 2011 07:00:18 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/eating-disorder-bad-relationships-food/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/eating-disorder-bad-relationships-food/ Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:04:31 GMT Beginning in infancy, relationships, food and feeding become intertwined. Think about it: Baby cries and baby gets fed. Someone has to do that feeding, and that someone is usually holding the baby and relating to him or her. So, from our earliest memories, food and being fed is one of our first ways of connecting to one another. As we grow and develop, social events often revolve around mealtimes; whether it is family dinner or a social gathering with friends, we are enjoying the nurturing that food and company can provide. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression-acne-medication/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression-acne-medication/ Tue, 25 Jan 2011 07:00:21 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/poor-childhood-sleep-adult-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/poor-childhood-sleep-adult-depression/ Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:00:49 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/addiction-video-games-social-problems/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/addiction-video-games-social-problems/ Sat, 22 Jan 2011 20:00:45 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/support-children-exposed-mother-violence/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/support-children-exposed-mother-violence/ Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:00:09 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-counseling-natural-disasters/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-counseling-natural-disasters/ Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:00:36 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/social-factors-overweight-media/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/social-factors-overweight-media/ Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:00:48 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-sexuality-development-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-sexuality-development-therapy/ Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:28:56 GMT When we think of sex therapy we generally assume this takes place with and is for adults or couples only. But in actuality there is a gamut of information and work that can and should be done with children in therapy and in their daily lives. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-access-mental-health-treatment/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-access-mental-health-treatment/ Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:00:04 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/empathy-gap-kellogg-school-bullying/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/empathy-gap-kellogg-school-bullying/ Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:00:53 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/samhsa-grant-youth-suicide-prevention/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/samhsa-grant-youth-suicide-prevention/ Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:00:01 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/steps-to-success-anti-bullying-program-seattle/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/steps-to-success-anti-bullying-program-seattle/ Tue, 11 Jan 2011 07:00:56 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adhd-convicts-childhood-attention/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adhd-convicts-childhood-attention/ Fri, 7 Jan 2011 20:00:58 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/divorce-adjustment-coparenting-right-first-refusal/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/divorce-adjustment-coparenting-right-first-refusal/ Fri, 7 Jan 2011 16:33:27 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/dsm-bipolar-aspbergers-prescription-medication/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/dsm-bipolar-aspbergers-prescription-medication/ Thu, 6 Jan 2011 15:00:16 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parents-social-environment-impact-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parents-social-environment-impact-children/ Wed, 5 Jan 2011 07:00:08 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/digital-media-home-bullying-internet/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/digital-media-home-bullying-internet/ Mon, 3 Jan 2011 19:53:38 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-discipline-connection-positive-relationship/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-discipline-connection-positive-relationship/ Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:33:55 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/special-needs-children-isolation-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/special-needs-children-isolation-parenting/ Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:34:45 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/preteen-problems-violence-aggression-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/preteen-problems-violence-aggression-therapy/ Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:43:06 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/holiday-diversity-multicultural-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/holiday-diversity-multicultural-parenting/ Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:13:58 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-abuse-victim-risk-substance-abuse-lgbt/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-abuse-victim-risk-substance-abuse-lgbt/ Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:00:38 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-adolescent-facebook-addiction/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-adolescent-facebook-addiction/ Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:25:22 GMT Lately we've been getting calls from high school students worried about their supposed "Facebook Addiction". There are now marketing sites as the traditional treatment industry trolls for yet more victims for their phony "programs" for phony "diseases".But for worried adolescents, and their parents, there is some cause for concern. Why? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/loneliness-depression-group-membership-resilience/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/loneliness-depression-group-membership-resilience/ Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:00:22 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cyber-bullying-social-networking-teens-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cyber-bullying-social-networking-teens-psychology/ Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:00:46 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/pregnancy-depression-psychotherapy-baby-development/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/pregnancy-depression-psychotherapy-baby-development/ Tue, 14 Dec 2010 07:00:17 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/lgbt-mental-health-supportive-families/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/lgbt-mental-health-supportive-families/ Mon, 13 Dec 2010 20:00:25 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/reflection-decade-spirituality-life-transition-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/reflection-decade-spirituality-life-transition-psychotherapy/ Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:55:29 GMT As the year draws to a close, I find myself reminiscing about the end of 2010 and the end of the first decade of the 21st century. For me, the year feels like it has gone by quickly. I know that in reality one year is the same as the next in terms of the actual passage of time, but it is a truism that our perception of how much and how quickly time has passed changes as we age, with our circumstances and with our sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/winter-play-therapy-family-children-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/winter-play-therapy-family-children-psychology/ Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:39:11 GMT Both children and adults learn through play. This of course is not news to those of us in the field of play. What is news is the fact that we need to improve the quality of play for everyone. Many parents and educators are no longer in touch with the need for play for children in our driven, achievement-oriented culture. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-fears-child-psychotherapy-counseling-stigma/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-fears-child-psychotherapy-counseling-stigma/ Mon, 13 Dec 2010 07:00:22 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/medicaid-adhd-treatment-ineffective-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/medicaid-adhd-treatment-ineffective-psychotherapy/ Fri, 10 Dec 2010 07:00:32 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapeutic-play-sandplay-therapy-attachment/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapeutic-play-sandplay-therapy-attachment/ Mon, 6 Dec 2010 21:56:25 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/santa-artist-creative-blocks-art-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/santa-artist-creative-blocks-art-therapy/ Mon, 6 Dec 2010 20:40:07 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bully-psychology-self-esteem-cause-effect-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bully-psychology-self-esteem-cause-effect-psychotherapy/ Fri, 3 Dec 2010 20:00:40 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/divorce-adjustment-parenting-plan-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/divorce-adjustment-parenting-plan-psychology/ Fri, 3 Dec 2010 16:52:41 GMT When parents divorce, a series of events unfold that require thoughtful and considered decisions about the future of their children.  It soon becomes starkly evident how many decisions are made on a daily basis as a parent.  Most people don?t realize how many decisions they make from one minute to the next.  Nor do they often realize how much coordination it takes to make the family engine run smoothly. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression-antidepressants-effectiveness-psychotherapy-treatment/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression-antidepressants-effectiveness-psychotherapy-treatment/ Fri, 3 Dec 2010 15:00:45 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-issues-girls-boys-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-issues-girls-boys-psychology/ Thu, 2 Dec 2010 07:00:48 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-coping-skills-relationships-parenting-communication-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-coping-skills-relationships-parenting-communication-psychology/ Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:36:21 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/attitude-through-body-baby-caregiver-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/attitude-through-body-baby-caregiver-psychotherapy/ Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:21:04 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/youth-eating-disorders-obesity-obsession-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/youth-eating-disorders-obesity-obsession-therapy/ Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:00:07 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-mental-health-days-day-off-anxiety/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-mental-health-days-day-off-anxiety/ Tue, 30 Nov 2010 07:00:11 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/somatic-experiencing-psychotherapy-personal-history/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/somatic-experiencing-psychotherapy-personal-history/ Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:59:14 GMT ?I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.? -  Louisa May Alcott http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/culturally-sensitive-psychotherapy-immigrants-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/culturally-sensitive-psychotherapy-immigrants-depression/ Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:00:07 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-congenital-heart-disease-motherhood-depression-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-congenital-heart-disease-motherhood-depression-psychotherapy/ Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:00:49 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-drug-use-addiction-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-drug-use-addiction-psychology/ Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:58:43 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-child-bully-psychological-issues/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-child-bully-psychological-issues/ Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:00:40 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-holidays-expectations-disappointment-christmas/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-holidays-expectations-disappointment-christmas/ Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:40:08 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/substance-abuse-children-habits-psychotherapy-samhsa-grants/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/substance-abuse-children-habits-psychotherapy-samhsa-grants/ Thu, 18 Nov 2010 07:00:20 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-anxiety-psychotherapy-response-emotion-brain-scan/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-anxiety-psychotherapy-response-emotion-brain-scan/ Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:00:17 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adhd-diagnose-increase-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adhd-diagnose-increase-psychology/ Wed, 17 Nov 2010 07:00:44 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/virtual-anti-bullying-march-united-kingdom/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/virtual-anti-bullying-march-united-kingdom/ Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:00:47 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/role-stress-family-children-anxiety-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/role-stress-family-children-anxiety-psychotherapy/ Sun, 14 Nov 2010 15:00:48 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/television-children-play-therapy-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/television-children-play-therapy-parenting/ Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:04:32 GMT A recent article in the Friday Journal section of the Wall Street Journal, dated November 5, 2010 states that preschoolers, aged 2 to 5, spend an average of more than 32 hours in front of the TV screen each week, according to Nielsen. To add to this horrific statistic a large percentage of preschoolers watch TV from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-interaction-children-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-interaction-children-mental-health/ Thu, 11 Nov 2010 07:00:57 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/military-deployment-stress-children-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/military-deployment-stress-children-mental-health/ Wed, 10 Nov 2010 07:00:30 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-issues-childhood-adulthood-adhd-sexual-abuse-fearless-behavior/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-issues-childhood-adulthood-adhd-sexual-abuse-fearless-behavior/ Tue, 9 Nov 2010 15:00:00 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/suicide-prevention-at-risk-youth-psychotherapy-samhsa-grant/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/suicide-prevention-at-risk-youth-psychotherapy-samhsa-grant/ Mon, 8 Nov 2010 21:55:14 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adulthood-parenting-psychotherapy-emdr-self-care/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adulthood-parenting-psychotherapy-emdr-self-care/ Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:59:42 GMT I believe the task of childhood is to learn to be a good parent to ourselves, and the task of parenthood is to teach our children to become good parents to themselves. When this doesn?t happen, it becomes the goal of therapy. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-sexual-abuse-trauma-art-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-sexual-abuse-trauma-art-therapy/ Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:34:41 GMT When November arrives, depression is not far behind. Something about the turn of the season, less daylight, less outdoor activities, the holiday bustle nudging its way back into consciousness can make some people turn inward and find deep dissatisfaction in their lives. Deep dissatisfaction can show up as a persistent weight pulling you down. Sometimes it is hard to get out of bed, to do anything. Most people are able to cope with these feelings by ?pushing through? or ?acting as if? they are feeling alright.  Enrolling in new classes, filling calendars with arts, sports, theater, shopping and exercise routines can help lift depression. ?Crafting? marketed by Martha Stewart has hit the culture in a big way. She was featured on Oprah in October, 2010. Her crafting ideas are well thought out and planned to provide hours of pleasure that some people find in making things. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-teen-depression-primary-physician-screening-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-teen-depression-primary-physician-screening-psychotherapy/ Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:00:37 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-sexual-abuse-post-traumatic-stress-coping-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-sexual-abuse-post-traumatic-stress-coping-depression/ Tue, 2 Nov 2010 14:00:19 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-grades-suicide-risk-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-grades-suicide-risk-depression/ Sat, 30 Oct 2010 19:00:13 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-children-cancer-psst-stress-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-children-cancer-psst-stress-psychotherapy/ Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:00:49 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-style-self-esteem-psychological-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-style-self-esteem-psychological-health/ Thu, 28 Oct 2010 06:00:43 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-temper-tantrum-parenting-communication/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-temper-tantrum-parenting-communication/ Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:01:29 GMT Temper tantrums can be very frustrating to deal with. All children have a temper tantrum at one point in time or another. They can happen in the home, school, in grocery stores but may not necessarily happen when the child is at another person?s house. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adoption-psychotherapy-neglect-support/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adoption-psychotherapy-neglect-support/ Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:41:52 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/personality-birth-order-family-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/personality-birth-order-family-therapy/ Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:55:49 GMT For generations, family members have noted the differences that naturally arise in children raised in the same family. How is it that John, the first born and only boy, seems to have such different personality characteristics than his younger brother, raised in the same house by the same parents just two years apart?  Good question! http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/trafficking-survivors-women-trauma-intervention-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/trafficking-survivors-women-trauma-intervention-psychotherapy/ Sat, 23 Oct 2010 19:00:15 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychological-resilience-trauma-workshops-emotional-intelligence/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychological-resilience-trauma-workshops-emotional-intelligence/ Sat, 23 Oct 2010 06:00:12 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/young-kids-depression-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/young-kids-depression-psychotherapy/ Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:00:03 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gay-teen-suicide-parenting-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gay-teen-suicide-parenting-therapy/ Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:06:40 GMT Seth Walsh, 13, Asher Brown, 13, Billy Lucas, 15, Tyler Clementi, 18, Raymond Chase, 19, all died within the last three weeks as a result of suicide. All of them were bullied or harassed for being perceived as gay.  And these are just the names that we know.  There are many others out there suffering and struggling through the discovery of their sexuality. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/maudsley-method-family-therapy-eating-issues-anorexia/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/maudsley-method-family-therapy-eating-issues-anorexia/ Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:00:06 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/technology-psychological-health-children-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/technology-psychological-health-children-depression/ Thu, 21 Oct 2010 06:00:42 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/violence-video-games-psychology-adolescent-boys-emotional-brain/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/violence-video-games-psychology-adolescent-boys-emotional-brain/ Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:00:44 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-obsessive-compulsive-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-obsessive-compulsive-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/ Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:01:18 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/aggressive-youth-behavior-alienation-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/aggressive-youth-behavior-alienation-psychotherapy/ Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:00:25 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/peers-mental-health-depression-stigma-relationships/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/peers-mental-health-depression-stigma-relationships/ Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:00:52 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/physical-activity-screen-time-children-psychological-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/physical-activity-screen-time-children-psychological-health/ Fri, 15 Oct 2010 06:00:22 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-hardships-resiliency-stress-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-hardships-resiliency-stress-psychology/ Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:00:11 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/eating-food-issues-self-injury/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/eating-food-issues-self-injury/ Wed, 13 Oct 2010 06:00:14 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/women-girls-math-anxiety-gender-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/women-girls-math-anxiety-gender-psychology/ Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:52:40 GMT The new school year has started, and many girls face an uphill battle when it comes to insecurity about math. Math anxiety can make itself known through nervousness when tackling a math problem, panic attacks that strike during a test, or even avoidance of math subjects completely. Although not exclusively a woman?s problem, men are less likely to experience anxiety about math. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/animal-assisted-therapy-psychological-issues/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/animal-assisted-therapy-psychological-issues/ Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:00:46 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bullying-depression-anti-social-internet/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bullying-depression-anti-social-internet/ Fri, 8 Oct 2010 14:00:18 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adults-parenting-children-tolerating-anger-relationships/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adults-parenting-children-tolerating-anger-relationships/ Thu, 7 Oct 2010 14:00:05 GMT When confronted with your three year old?s ?I hate you, mom?, it is not easy to step back and consider that, if you respond with curiosity or acceptance, you may be giving your child a significant lesson about how to have a successful relationship. Tolerating a child?s hate and anger without attacking back or expressing hurt, communicates that you can withstand your child?s destructive wishes. It models that if he, too, were on the receiving end of hostility, he would be all right. It normalizes the expression of negativity and helps a child consider that he is not bad for having these feelings. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/grief-decisions-depression-trauma/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/grief-decisions-depression-trauma/ Thu, 7 Oct 2010 13:33:21 GMT Sometimes, when people experience a terrible loss, especially if it?s a traumatic loss, they make a life-changing decision in the middle of the intense emotional pain, often without even realizing it or remembering it. This decision can potentially affect them for the rest of their lives, and can cause chronic depression. People do this as a way of coping with the loss. In the shock of loss, people focus very narrowly on getting through each excruciating moment. Thoughts like ?I?ll never love again? or I?ll never trust again? seem at the time like ways to avoid ever feeling this unbearable pain again. When people aren?t feeling acute pain, and are able to let other life experiences inform their decisions, they don?t usually make these kinds of grief-driven decisions. Let me give you some examples of what I mean. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-education-psychological-literacy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-education-psychological-literacy/ Wed, 6 Oct 2010 19:00:18 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-suicide-mental-health-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-suicide-mental-health-psychotherapy/ Wed, 6 Oct 2010 06:00:22 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/eating-disorder-teen-self-esteem-family-origin/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/eating-disorder-teen-self-esteem-family-origin/ Tue, 5 Oct 2010 14:12:27 GMT I often say, when explaining eating disorders, that someday I?m going to invent the Eating Disorder Board Game. I certainly don?t meant to make light of eating disorders, for they are serious conditions that cause tremendous pain to those that suffer from them and to those close to the sufferer. It?s just that I?m big on using analogies to explain the significance of eating-disordered beliefs and behaviors. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ptsd-intervening-children-trauma/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ptsd-intervening-children-trauma/ Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:00:46 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-psychological-health-psychotherapy-adhd-depression-bipolar/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-psychological-health-psychotherapy-adhd-depression-bipolar/ Thu, 30 Sep 2010 06:00:59 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/baby-boomers-suicide-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/baby-boomers-suicide-psychology/ Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:00:18 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-sports-physical-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-sports-physical-mental-health/ Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:37:33 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/school-refusal-behavior-anxiety-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/school-refusal-behavior-anxiety-psychotherapy/ Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:00:58 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/emotional-health-parenting-children-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/emotional-health-parenting-children-psychology/ Fri, 24 Sep 2010 06:00:08 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-anxiety-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-anxiety-therapy/ Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:00:38 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-tween-toddlerhood-parenting-praise-communication/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-tween-toddlerhood-parenting-praise-communication/ Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:29:47 GMT If you have an adolescent, somewhere between 11 years old and 16, listen up! http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-therapy-psychotherapy-children-teens-divorce-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-therapy-psychotherapy-children-teens-divorce-parenting/ Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:48:10 GMT It?s not uncommon for a parent to bring a child to therapy and say, ?Fix it!? Of course, they don?t typically say ?it?; rather, they say, ?Fix Larry!? I can imagine my mother taking me to a therapist when I was in my teens because I needed (as we say down South) ?fixin.? At these moments I intentionally look at the adolescent or child to see their reaction. Sadly, most of them display no reactions at all ? they hear this statement on a regular basis. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/acne-mental-health-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/acne-mental-health-therapy/ Wed, 22 Sep 2010 06:00:44 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teenage-boys-video-games-aggressive-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teenage-boys-video-games-aggressive-psychology/ Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:00:20 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-technology-family-therapy-social-network/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-technology-family-therapy-social-network/ Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:27:56 GMT The human experience of parenting has changed some over the years. Biologically, having a child still involves all the relevant body parts, but these parts don?t necessarily have to belong to the parent in question; a mother?s body, a man?s sperm, can now all be borrowed, rented or purchased. All the wonders of the laboratory and operating suite of modern medicine that have been refined for assisting pregnancy just confirm the overwhelmingly shared human drive to procreate and have a family. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-depression-racism-discrimination/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-depression-racism-discrimination/ Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:00:47 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychotherapy-adhd-treatment-children-adults/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychotherapy-adhd-treatment-children-adults/ Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:00:41 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/uic-juvenile-research-anniversary-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/uic-juvenile-research-anniversary-psychology/ Thu, 16 Sep 2010 06:00:38 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-depression-suicide-self-help-technology-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-depression-suicide-self-help-technology-psychotherapy/ Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:00:53 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ptsd-trauma-parenting-children-behavior-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ptsd-trauma-parenting-children-behavior-psychotherapy/ Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:00:55 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-self-harm-cutting-psychotherapy-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-self-harm-cutting-psychotherapy-parenting/ Thu, 9 Sep 2010 15:39:23 GMT Where Does this Behavior Come From? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/disaster-abuse-children-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/disaster-abuse-children-psychotherapy/ Sun, 5 Sep 2010 14:00:57 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/diverse-family-success-children-social-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/diverse-family-success-children-social-psychology/ Sat, 4 Sep 2010 14:00:54 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/trauma-depression-psychology-childhood/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/trauma-depression-psychology-childhood/ Fri, 3 Sep 2010 19:53:48 GMT In my practice, people trace depression back to trauma most of the time. Emotional trauma is an overwhelming shock to a person?s equilibrium. This may mean getting attacked emotionally, physically or sexually, or witnessing such attacks. It can happen in war, rape, murder, accidents, and even well-intentioned medical procedures. It can also happen in single or repeated incidents of shaming or emotional/verbal attack. It can even happen when heart-breaking losses of any kind occur. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bird-nesting-divorce-adjustment-family-custody/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bird-nesting-divorce-adjustment-family-custody/ Fri, 3 Sep 2010 17:36:35 GMT Parents are often asking me to describe the various options they have for their post-divorce living arrangements. In addition to the many possible choices available to consider for how children go back and forth between two residences, there is also the possibility of having children stay in the home they are currently living in while the parents move in and out. This is sometimes described as ?the children get the house? or ?bird nesting? or just ?nesting?. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-children-interaction-relationship/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-children-interaction-relationship/ Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:49:43 GMT This post should really be titled ?The Dirty Little Secret of Parenting that is Neither Dirty, nor Little, nor a Secret.? Because what I?m about to say is totally obvious and yet is often overlooked as a vital part of understanding children?s behavior. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/stress-infant-psychology-memory-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/stress-infant-psychology-memory-psychotherapy/ Wed, 1 Sep 2010 06:00:18 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/play-therapy-summer-vacation/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/play-therapy-summer-vacation/ Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:56:01 GMT Standing in line a few weeks ago at my local Whole Foods market, Time magazine caught my eye. Its cover had an idyllic full page picture of a young boy skipping stones on a pond with the headline ?THE CASE AGAINST SUMMER VACATION?. I caught my breath and groaned shaking my head in dismay. The sub title read our children are falling behind and loose even more after summer break. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-drug-alcohol-prevention-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-drug-alcohol-prevention-psychotherapy/ Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:00:38 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-psychology-children-happy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-psychology-children-happy/ Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:32:01 GMT An elementary school principal once discussed with me an important issue in parenting. The context was her concern with parents who ask their children each year who they would like to have for a teacher the next year and then, not only request that teacher, but also put pressure on the administration to see that it happens, rather than letting things take their natural course. We parents have to watch that we don?t let our children take the lead in the relationship. Children get the idea that all they have to do is ask and mom and dad will take care of it for them. It isn?t good for them to always get what they want. Children will encounter a variety of people throughout life and need to learn to get along in whatever situation they find themselves. It is easy to fall into the trap of trying to enable our children by not allowing them to work out situations that come up in life. It is a misconception that it is our job to make them happy. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/for-teens-smoking-may-worsen-depression-not-alleviate-it/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/for-teens-smoking-may-worsen-depression-not-alleviate-it/ Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:02:49 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-lying-parenting-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-lying-parenting-psychology/ Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:00:50 GMT All kids lie. They start young, look innocent into your eyes and tell you the answers that you want to hear. Then it?s like a shock as a parent that their child told a lie! How does that happen? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bullying-academic-performance-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bullying-academic-performance-psychology/ Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:00:36 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/drugs-teenage-males-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/drugs-teenage-males-parenting/ Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:00:59 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adhd-children-over-diagnose-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adhd-children-over-diagnose-psychology/ Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:00:51 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-therapy-bed-children-sleep/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-therapy-bed-children-sleep/ Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:10:24 GMT Young parents, especially exhausted moms, relish the moments when their children fall asleep in their arms. Ask any parent of teenage children: those long-ago moments when their infant children rested against their chests, heavy with sleep, are among their most cherished memories of parenthood. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-self-esteem-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-self-esteem-psychology/ Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:25:39 GMT Self-esteem is a relational term. It describes a relationship between you and yourself. Having a solid sense of esteem for yourself puts you squarely in a partnership that is nurturing and accepting, as well as motivating and energizing. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/father-son-relationship-stress-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/father-son-relationship-stress-psychology/ Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:00:17 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychological-children-incarcerated-parents/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychological-children-incarcerated-parents/ Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:00:59 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychological-foster-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychological-foster-children/ Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:00:07 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/body-image-boys/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/body-image-boys/ Fri, 6 Aug 2010 06:00:03 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gay-victimization/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/gay-victimization/ Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:00:34 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/alcohol-dependence-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/alcohol-dependence-parenting/ Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:00:35 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/september-eleventh-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/september-eleventh-psychology/ Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:00:03 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-soldier-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-soldier-psychology/ Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:00:37 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/attitude-body-psychotherapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/attitude-body-psychotherapy/ Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:51:41 GMT My last article discussed the physiological reaction of a young infant to external stress. As this infant grows and develops coordination and strength he will have new and different ways to meet the world. But if he had prolonged reactions to external stimuli, the early reaction pattern may stay buried in his system only to be triggered in the future; it creates a vulnerability and sets him up for perceiving the world in a certain way where trust is a big issue. Stress on a newborn can lead to particular psychological stressors later in life. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression-anxiety-teens/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression-anxiety-teens/ Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:00:14 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/preschoolers-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/preschoolers-mental-health/ Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:35:57 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-abuse-suicide/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-abuse-suicide/ Thu, 8 Jul 2010 14:00:50 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-depression/ Wed, 7 Jul 2010 14:00:47 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teenage-lifestyle-cognitive-function/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teenage-lifestyle-cognitive-function/ Thu, 1 Jul 2010 06:00:13 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teenage-depression-weight/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teenage-depression-weight/ Wed, 30 Jun 2010 06:00:02 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depressed-kids/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depressed-kids/ Sat, 26 Jun 2010 06:00:10 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/toddler-gender-roles/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/toddler-gender-roles/ Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:00:08 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/spanking-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/spanking-children/ Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:35:24 GMT Previously, I defined discipline as meaning ?to teach? or ?to train,? the root being ?to disciple.? I would like to expand on that because so often parents equate discipline with corporal punishment and automatically think they have to start spanking children when they are very young in order to ?make them mind.? Frequently, parents will say that their parents spanked them and they turned out okay, so what?s wrong with it? Just because something works doesn?t mean it is desired. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-strong-self-image/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-strong-self-image/ Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:00:47 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/addictive-families/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/addictive-families/ Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:14:15 GMT Often the parent of a teenager or young adult in recovery will tell me that their son or daughter is ?like an extension of myself?. They might describe their offspring as being ?like one of my own limbs? or ?so close, it?s like we?re one person?. Inwardly, when I hear this, I often cringe. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-sexuality/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-sexuality/ Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:07:15 GMT Teens are having sex. I do not know the percentage of teens having sex but they are. Teens are having sex for many reasons: need to be loved, everyone else is doing it, why wait, adults have sex, and boyfriend/girlfriend loves them. Does sex really help a teen to feel loved? After sex, does the relationship get stronger or fall apart? Is sex more of a quest? These are some questions that I have. I don?t have statistics and this is not for statistics, just conversation about teens and sex. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/summer-vacation-communication/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/summer-vacation-communication/ Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:40:35 GMT School?s out and some of our kids are already at home with us. Oh sure, some will go to sleep-away camp for a month, some will go to day camp returning every night, and then there?s summer school ? oh joy! ? and then there are some kids who will be home the entire summer with no particular plans. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/video-game-therapy-aggression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/video-game-therapy-aggression/ Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:00:03 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-therapy-cancer/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-therapy-cancer/ Mon, 7 Jun 2010 17:17:50 GMT Christa, 35, initially presented to therapy because she wanted a place where her ten year old daughter, Nina, could share her feelings about Christa?s breast cancer. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/moves-childhood-compromise-well-being/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/moves-childhood-compromise-well-being/ Mon, 7 Jun 2010 14:00:59 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-therapy/ Sat, 5 Jun 2010 14:00:51 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-child-soldiers/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-child-soldiers/ Mon, 31 May 2010 15:20:25 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-illness-stigma-2/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-illness-stigma-2/ Wed, 26 May 2010 23:23:33 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-depression-therapists/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-depression-therapists/ Tue, 25 May 2010 06:00:57 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/behavior-elementary-children-parenting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/behavior-elementary-children-parenting/ Fri, 21 May 2010 15:06:41 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-depression-treatment/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-depression-treatment/ Fri, 21 May 2010 14:00:50 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapy-tourettes-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapy-tourettes-children/ Wed, 19 May 2010 06:00:01 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-adolescent-worry/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-adolescent-worry/ Tue, 18 May 2010 06:00:01 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-psychological-concerns/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-psychological-concerns/ Sun, 16 May 2010 15:29:10 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-epilepsy-quality-of-life/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-epilepsy-quality-of-life/ Sat, 15 May 2010 15:53:07 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-stress-levels/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-stress-levels/ Sat, 15 May 2010 15:18:14 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teenage-girl-violence/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teenage-girl-violence/ Wed, 12 May 2010 14:00:22 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-mortality-economic-downturn/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-mortality-economic-downturn/ Sun, 9 May 2010 15:02:15 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-risky-behavior/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teens-risky-behavior/ Fri, 7 May 2010 19:00:45 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychosis-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychosis-children/ Tue, 4 May 2010 06:00:53 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parental-suicide/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parental-suicide/ Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:00:45 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-spanking-toddlers/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-spanking-toddlers/ Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:00:19 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/issues-abused-children-explored/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/issues-abused-children-explored/ Fri, 16 Apr 2010 06:00:17 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapy-adoption-child-behavior/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapy-adoption-child-behavior/ Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:56:38 GMT It is common for children and adolescents in foster care/adoptive situations to exhibit challenging behaviors, some of which can be severe. It is equally common for parents providing care to these children to become upset and overwhelmed by what they see. Before parents are reaching the point where they themselves may have a behavioral episode, I always remind them to remember the environment that their child came from. By remembering what this child was experiencing during their formative years, we can better understand the behaviors we are seeing now. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/girls-depression-risk/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/girls-depression-risk/ Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:00:19 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-teens-friendship/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-teens-friendship/ Fri, 9 Apr 2010 14:35:56 GMT When your child is growing up, they enjoy being around you and it?s a great feeling. They don?t want to be away from you, they listen to what you say, they think you are the greatest, and again they listen to what you say. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-sleep-psychology/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-sleep-psychology/ Thu, 8 Apr 2010 06:00:49 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-foster-care-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-foster-care-children/ Wed, 7 Apr 2010 14:00:23 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-boys-school/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-boys-school/ Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:00:15 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychiatrist-de-medicate-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychiatrist-de-medicate-children/ Thu, 25 Mar 2010 06:00:50 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bring-out-strengths-in-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bring-out-strengths-in-children/ Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:11:11 GMT Each child, indeed each human being, has a mixture of strong points and weak points. Parents can choose to focus on either. A wonderful book that illustrates this point clearly is Use What You?ve Got by Barbara Corcoran. Corcoran tells the story of her rise from a D-student with learning disabilities to successful New York real estate magnate. She attributes her success to the lessons that her mom taught her. Mom, a mother of nine normal, challenged kids, had the knack of focusing on strengths. She brought out the best in each child. Weaknesses were of little interest to her. She gave young Barbara the message, ?Don?t worry about school. You?re much too energetic and creative for the classroom. Just wait until you grow up and you?re free to use your talents ? then you?ll really accomplish something.? Mom similarly encouraged all of Barbara?s siblings, finding the strong points of each one and highlighting them. All of the kids became successful and accomplished adults, despite their very real limitations. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ostracism-children-self-esteem/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ostracism-children-self-esteem/ Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:00:23 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/youth-suicide/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/youth-suicide/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:00:26 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-child-aggression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-child-aggression/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:00:24 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-learn-communication/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/kids-learn-communication/ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:46:39 GMT Kids start learning how to communicate with their world from the moment they are born. They are programmed to vocalize and use their bodies in ways that are communicating their needs. Their cries, squeaks, squeals, screams, and even their giggles tell us what they need, along with the squirming and flailing of their tiny bodies. It is our job as Parents to interpret the meaning of these sounds and gestures, and then to respond effectively in a nurturing and soothing manner. We teach our children about the world around them every time we meet or don't meet their needs; by what we say and do, or don't say or do. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-youth-rehabilitation/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-youth-rehabilitation/ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:00:53 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/counselor-urges-schools-to-tackle-childhood-obesity-with-compassion/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/counselor-urges-schools-to-tackle-childhood-obesity-with-compassion/ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:00:32 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mentoring-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mentoring-children/ Tue, 9 Mar 2010 15:00:31 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sibling-abuse/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sibling-abuse/ Mon, 8 Mar 2010 22:15:23 GMT Even though there can be life long debilitating psychological effects, sibling abuse may be the most ignored - if not accepted - form of domestic (i.e. sexual, physical, emotional) abuse. Why is this kind of abuse ignored or minimized? There is a lot that is swept under the rug in the guise of ?sibling rivalry.? And American law does not consider this a prosecutable offense unless a child is turned in by their parent(s). In other words, parents would have to be willing to file an assault charge against their own child. So parents keep this type of abuse within the family. And a lot of the time, they even blame the victim. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-children-mean-behavior/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-children-mean-behavior/ Sat, 6 Mar 2010 15:00:34 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-childhood-stress-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-childhood-stress-depression/ Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:00:31 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-behavior-psychology-study/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adolescent-behavior-psychology-study/ Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:00:47 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/thearpy-treatment-youth-incarceration/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/thearpy-treatment-youth-incarceration/ Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:00:38 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychotherapy-childhood-trauma-mind-body/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychotherapy-childhood-trauma-mind-body/ Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:00:34 GMT Trauma survivors often hear, ?Just forget about it. It was in the past. You need to move on.? Unfortunately, this is not accurate for many and until they resolve the past traumatic experiences, they are unable to ?move on?. When trauma survivors find themselves unable to ?get past? the past, then they might consider seeking the help of a licensed therapist. It is not unusual for those with past traumatic experiences to struggle with one or more emotional difficulties, mental disorders, and/or physical health concerns and diagnoses. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/suicide-rates-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/suicide-rates-children/ Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:00:00 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-children-adhd/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-children-adhd/ Mon, 1 Feb 2010 07:00:32 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-bipolar-parents/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-bipolar-parents/ Sat, 30 Jan 2010 07:00:26 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-toddlers/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parenting-toddlers/ Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:33:02 GMT Little kids get into a surprising amount of mischief. They throw toys down the toilet, pull things out of the garbage, have major tantrums in public shopping malls, bite their babysitters and other unfortunate people, squeeze their baby brother so hard that it is life threatening, and so on. Though I must say, they are so darn cute to look at! http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/abidextrous-children-mental-health-difficulties/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/abidextrous-children-mental-health-difficulties/ Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:00:06 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapy-self-harm-adolescents/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapy-self-harm-adolescents/ Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:00:14 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/relationship-divorce-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/relationship-divorce-children/ Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:14:28 GMT Your relationship with your children?s other parent has ended. It has taken some amount of soul searching after being told that your relationship is over. It may not have been an easy transition. Perhaps you have felt some combination of hurt, anger, depression, relief, guilt, uncertainty or hopefulness. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-social-rejection-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-social-rejection-children/ Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:00:44 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapy-choking-game-oregon/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/therapy-choking-game-oregon/ Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:00:47 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/aggression-girls-fighting/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/aggression-girls-fighting/ Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:00:58 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-breastfeeding/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-breastfeeding/ Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:00:44 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-concern-youth/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-concern-youth/ Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:43:50 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/suicide-prevention-teenssleep-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/suicide-prevention-teenssleep-therapy/ Mon, 4 Jan 2010 22:00:44 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychotherapy-parent-child-understanding/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychotherapy-parent-child-understanding/ Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:48:28 GMT Importance of Understanding http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/interpersonal-therapy-obesity-prevention/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/interpersonal-therapy-obesity-prevention/ Sun, 27 Dec 2009 07:00:44 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/suicide-rates-students-therapist/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/suicide-rates-students-therapist/ Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:00:45 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/report-on-adolescent-perceptions-of-substance-abuse-shocks-industry-professionals/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/report-on-adolescent-perceptions-of-substance-abuse-shocks-industry-professionals/ Sat, 19 Dec 2009 07:00:40 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bullying-witnesses-may-suffer-more-than-victims/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/bullying-witnesses-may-suffer-more-than-victims/ Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:00:19 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-anxiety/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-anxiety/ Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:02:42 GMT The idea that childhood is a carefree time of life is disproved by the high rates of childhood anxiety in the United States. Studies vary but show that at least 10% of school-age children report symptoms of anxiety. Untreated, at least 40% of these children will grow into adulthood with an anxiety disorder. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-to-help-kids-improve-reading-suggests-intensive-programs-may-rewire-brain/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-to-help-kids-improve-reading-suggests-intensive-programs-may-rewire-brain/ Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:00:15 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/survey-finds-half-of-children-with-mental-health-concerns-do-not-receive-treatment/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/survey-finds-half-of-children-with-mental-health-concerns-do-not-receive-treatment/ Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:00:30 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-offers-answer-to-modern-teen-depression-consumerism/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-offers-answer-to-modern-teen-depression-consumerism/ Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:00:16 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/uk-doctors-call-for-an-end-to-child-immigrant-detention/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/uk-doctors-call-for-an-end-to-child-immigrant-detention/ Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:00:45 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/australia-reports-success-with-%e2%80%9cheadspace%e2%80%9d-program-sees-potential-as-model/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/australia-reports-success-with-%e2%80%9cheadspace%e2%80%9d-program-sees-potential-as-model/ Tue, 1 Dec 2009 14:00:30 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/virtual-reality-software-shows-potential-to-help-bullying-victims/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/virtual-reality-software-shows-potential-to-help-bullying-victims/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:00:25 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-abuse-may-impact-osteoarthritis-later-in-life/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/childhood-abuse-may-impact-osteoarthritis-later-in-life/ Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:00:50 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/paying-attention-to-adhd/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/paying-attention-to-adhd/ Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:10:35 GMT The American Psychiatric Association defines attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a ?persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and more severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development? (1). ADHD is further indicated by three subtypes; predominately hyperactive-impulsive type, predominantly inattentive type, and combined type. According to the APA, ADHD primarily affects school-age children, approximately 3%-7% of all children in the U.S, (1), with approximately 30-50% retaining the disorder as adults (2). Not only are these numbers cause for concern, they are increasing: there has been a three or four-fold increase in diagnosis of ADHD since the late 1980s (3). http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/non-directive-play-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/non-directive-play-therapy/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:06:12 GMT Play therapy is a counseling method used to help children communicate their inner experiences through the use of toys. Non-directive play therapy, also called child-centered play therapy is a non-pathologizing technique based on the belief that children have the internal drive to wellness. Non-directive play therapists are trained to trust that children are capable to direct their own process rather than the therapist imposing their own ideas of what the child needs to do in therapy to work through any challenges they may be facing. This requires the therapist to enter the emotional world of the child rather then expecting the child to understand the therapist?s world, which is beyond their capability. Play therapy is based on the theory that play is a child?s language, the toys in the play room considered the ?words? that a child uses to express their inner experiences and how they perceive and experience the world. The toys in the play room are then used by the child to ?speak? to the therapist and communicate their inner thoughts and feelings. Within a play session and over the course of sessions, themes emerge in the child?s play, giving the therapist insight into the child?s experiences, thoughts, feelings and interpretations of their world. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/spanish-study-finds-children-are-complacent-about-bullying/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/spanish-study-finds-children-are-complacent-about-bullying/ Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:00:59 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-finds-adolescent-boys-with-conduct-issues-more-prone-to-problem-gambling/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-finds-adolescent-boys-with-conduct-issues-more-prone-to-problem-gambling/ Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:00:06 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/risk-factors-refined-for-substance-abuse-disorders-in-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/risk-factors-refined-for-substance-abuse-disorders-in-children/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:00:25 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/aap-presents-statements-recommending-to-keep-kids-off-of-media/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/aap-presents-statements-recommending-to-keep-kids-off-of-media/ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:00:08 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/poor-expectations-among-parents-may-encourage-adolescent-misbehavior/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/poor-expectations-among-parents-may-encourage-adolescent-misbehavior/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:00:04 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/warnings-arise-over-onset-of-in-school-stress/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/warnings-arise-over-onset-of-in-school-stress/ Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:00:23 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cognitive-and-emotional-maturity-diverge-in-adolescents-study-suggests/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/cognitive-and-emotional-maturity-diverge-in-adolescents-study-suggests/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:00:55 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/conference-focuses-on-psychiatric-abuse-of-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/conference-focuses-on-psychiatric-abuse-of-children/ Fri, 2 Oct 2009 14:00:30 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/testing-the-importance-of-immediacy-in-emotional-threats/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/testing-the-importance-of-immediacy-in-emotional-threats/ Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:00:55 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-examines-link-between-bullying-adult-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-examines-link-between-bullying-adult-mental-health/ Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:00:04 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-recommends-distinct-classifications-for-childhood-depression-anxiety/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-recommends-distinct-classifications-for-childhood-depression-anxiety/ Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:00:41 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/re-learning-warmth-for-britains-disadvantaged-kids/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/re-learning-warmth-for-britains-disadvantaged-kids/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:00:31 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/misinterpretation-of-emotion-could-contribute-to-juvenile-aggression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/misinterpretation-of-emotion-could-contribute-to-juvenile-aggression/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:00:16 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/prozac-approved-in-europe-for-children-as-young-as-eight/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/prozac-approved-in-europe-for-children-as-young-as-eight/ Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:00:20 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/paying-attention-to-survivors/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/paying-attention-to-survivors/ Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:36:05 GMT When a child gets killed, it gets our attention. Consider the words of Nicholas Scopetta, former Executive Director of The Administration of Children?s Services: ?people may not understand the intricacies of the system, but they certainly know when a child is killed.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/abuse-of-adhd-medications-skyrockets-among-youth/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/abuse-of-adhd-medications-skyrockets-among-youth/ Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:00:59 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-links-mental-health-issues-and-violence-in-afghani-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/study-links-mental-health-issues-and-violence-in-afghani-children/ Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:00:04 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-professionals-encourage-kids-families-to-welcome-%e2%80%9cback-to-school%e2%80%9d-day/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-professionals-encourage-kids-families-to-welcome-%e2%80%9cback-to-school%e2%80%9d-day/ Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:00:04 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/aggressive-children-may-stem-from-controlling-parents/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/aggressive-children-may-stem-from-controlling-parents/ Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:16:30 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/youth-reach-out-to-aid-those-who-self-harm/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/youth-reach-out-to-aid-those-who-self-harm/ Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:17:51 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-conflicts-may-cause-adolescent-headaches/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-conflicts-may-cause-adolescent-headaches/ Wed, 9 Sep 2009 19:11:17 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/binge-drinking-in-adults-more-prevalent-than-thought/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/binge-drinking-in-adults-more-prevalent-than-thought/ Sun, 6 Sep 2009 15:00:53 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/a-different-kind-of-deficiency-getting-kids-back-to-nature/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/a-different-kind-of-deficiency-getting-kids-back-to-nature/ Fri, 4 Sep 2009 18:30:29 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/the-death-of-a-parent-healing-childrens-grief/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/the-death-of-a-parent-healing-childrens-grief/ Thu, 3 Sep 2009 22:35:31 GMT The death of a parent is the most elemental loss that a child can experience. Many in our culture believe that children cannot understand death and lack the capacity to grieve. Because of this misconception, coupled with confusion and anxiety in communicating with children about death, children are often told that the dead parent has simply ?gone away.? Shielding children from death deprives them of the ability to grieve and ultimately heal. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/physical-mental-health-affected-by-too-much-screen-time/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/physical-mental-health-affected-by-too-much-screen-time/ Thu, 3 Sep 2009 15:26:55 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-in-children-with-epilepsy-highlighted-need-for-more-attention/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-in-children-with-epilepsy-highlighted-need-for-more-attention/ Wed, 2 Sep 2009 14:31:22 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-admitted-to-adult-psych-facilities-ireland-grapples-with-rise/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-admitted-to-adult-psych-facilities-ireland-grapples-with-rise/ Tue, 1 Sep 2009 14:50:25 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychologist-explores-what-makes-children-and-adults-so-different/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychologist-explores-what-makes-children-and-adults-so-different/ Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:49:54 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/money-and-the-inner-child/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/money-and-the-inner-child/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:15:57 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/letting-labels-out-of-the-box-for-irish-childrens-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/letting-labels-out-of-the-box-for-irish-childrens-mental-health/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:09:23 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/weight-loss-culture-may-be-hurting-kids/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/weight-loss-culture-may-be-hurting-kids/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:25:07 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/young-adults-mostly-decline-therapy-for-mistreatment/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/young-adults-mostly-decline-therapy-for-mistreatment/ Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:30:23 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sistertalk-program-brings-group-therapy-to-young-girls/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sistertalk-program-brings-group-therapy-to-young-girls/ Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:08:59 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/anti-depressants-suicide-rates-youth/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/anti-depressants-suicide-rates-youth/ Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:19:25 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/link-between-mothers-and-childrens-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/link-between-mothers-and-childrens-mental-health/ Thu, 6 Aug 2009 15:28:10 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/campaign-to-ban-airbrushing-for-teen-girls-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/campaign-to-ban-airbrushing-for-teen-girls-mental-health/ Wed, 5 Aug 2009 18:16:36 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/behavioral-problems-sleep-related-surgeries/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/behavioral-problems-sleep-related-surgeries/ Wed, 5 Aug 2009 13:15:15 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Update http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-abuse-programs-uk/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-abuse-programs-uk/ Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:48:37 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Update http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-girls-are-most-susceptible-to-peer-judgment/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-girls-are-most-susceptible-to-peer-judgment/ Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:00:27 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-who-face-hardships-may-not-recognize-rewards/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/children-who-face-hardships-may-not-recognize-rewards/ Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:43:34 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/televised-divorce/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/televised-divorce/ Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:30:08 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Update http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/canadian-teens-happiest-among-national-population/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/canadian-teens-happiest-among-national-population/ Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:18:38 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Summary http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/in-therapy-child-parent/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/in-therapy-child-parent/ Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:09:10 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Update http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/military-childrens-mental-health/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/military-childrens-mental-health/ Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:10:03 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/protect-families-from-depression/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/protect-families-from-depression/ Wed, 8 Jul 2009 05:01:43 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-therapy-ocd/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-therapy-ocd/ Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:33:31 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Update http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/eating-disorders-fathers-dads/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/eating-disorders-fathers-dads/ Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:53:11 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Update http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-suicide-attempts/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/teen-suicide-attempts/ Fri, 29 May 2009 15:55:57 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depressed-college-students/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depressed-college-students/ Thu, 28 May 2009 15:07:45 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Update http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mock-therapy/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mock-therapy/ Mon, 25 May 2009 12:00:30 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Update http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-glutamate/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-glutamate/ Sat, 2 May 2009 02:21:50 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/acceptance-commitment-therapy-kids-chronic-pain/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/acceptance-commitment-therapy-kids-chronic-pain/ Thu, 2 Apr 2009 02:06:41 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Update http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/hyperactivity-concentration-adhd/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/hyperactivity-concentration-adhd/ Tue, 17 Mar 2009 05:01:51 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sex-drugs-body-image/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sex-drugs-body-image/ Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:45:01 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/relationship-education-classes/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/relationship-education-classes/ Mon, 9 Mar 2009 19:53:38 GMT A GoodTherapy.org News Update http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/violence-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/violence-children/ Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:54:25 GMT [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LNTpmBjzDk[/youtube] http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-children-hurricane-recovery/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mental-health-children-hurricane-recovery/ Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:38:24 GMT Hurricane Katrina has left a disturbing percentage of children from the most at-risk and poorest families with mental health, behavioral and physical disorders, according to a white paper entitled, " The Legacy of Shame: The On-Going Public Health Disaster of Children Struggling in Post-Katrina Louisiana." The paper was published in November by The Children?s Health Fund and the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. It states that those children have the highest levels of mental and physical health problems of any group of children in the US. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/anxiety-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/anxiety-children/ Mon, 3 Nov 2008 18:19:40 GMT A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine supports the effectiveness of combined medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy for children with anxiety. The study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, utilized sertraline, which is sold under Pfizer?s brand name Zoloft, to treat a majority of 488 kids, aged 7-17. Some of the subjects also received CBT, and some got CBT alone. The rest were given a placebo. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ocd-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/ocd-children/ Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:18:16 GMT Researchers at Brown University in Rhode Island are reporting that children as young as four can meet criteria for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This condition, associated with anxiety, has been studied in older children and adolescents, but this new study was the largest ever study of OCD in preschool age. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/yelling/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/yelling/ Mon, 6 Oct 2008 13:05:21 GMT Yelling at Children http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/center-for-disease-control/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/center-for-disease-control/ Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:02:01 GMT A recent study by the Center for Disease Control, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is being touted as evidence that some very common treatments for trauma lack empirical evidence of success in helping children and adolescents. The study, which reviewed a small percentage of the available literature, found evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral treatment, but not for six other kinds of therapy, including what may be the most widely used interventions ? play and art therapy. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/behavior-management-training/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/behavior-management-training/ Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:52:22 GMT A team of researchers ? three at Florida State University and one at Yale ? have completed a persuasive study of Behavior Management Training (BMT) for treating Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). The study, published in the journal Child Maltreatment, offers findings are encouraging to proponents of the classic reward and punishment system, and will likely lead to larger control studies. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-abuse-neglect-brain-development/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/child-abuse-neglect-brain-development/ Mon, 4 Aug 2008 12:51:48 GMT This article describes the effects of chronic maltreatment, such as can occur in an orphanage, on a child's psychological development, brain development, and later relationships. There are clear links between maltreatment and later psychological, emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal disorders. The basis for this linkage is the impact that maltreatment has on brain development. Daniel Siegel, medical director of the Infant and Preschool Service at the University of California, L.A., has found important links between interpersonal experiences and neurobiological development http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/respect/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/respect/ Wed, 4 Jun 2008 01:43:13 GMT As a family psychologist, I?ve found a common concern parents have about their children, even more common than the ubiquitous Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is ?disrespect.? From talking back to ?having an attitude? to refusing to listen, disrespect is often at the top of the problem list parents bring to my office. I typically search for ways to move ?disrespect? down the list some. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/grief-loss-in-children/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/grief-loss-in-children/ Thu, 29 May 2008 03:40:06 GMT As a professional who has worked in one capacity or another with children and teens for nearly twenty years, the topic of grief and loss has been consistently present in all my interactions with young people. Long before I decided to return to graduate school for social work, I found myself encountering youth from all walks of life struggling to cope with issues of loss, from the grief attached to a parent?s divorce to the grief associated with the death of a pet, a friend, a teacher, a parent. I found the topic in hushed tones of colleagues, in open rap groups for teen girls, acted out in games at a shelter for abused women, as quiet conversation among middle school students on a field trip, and as a random question or comment seemingly out of the blue during some recreational event, like a baseball game or Halloween Party. During most times when the topic emerged, there was a tentative and questioning look or brief and uneasy pause where I sensed a combination of hope and caution, curiosity and reservation. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/when-temper-tantrums-become-a-way-of-life/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/when-temper-tantrums-become-a-way-of-life/ Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:50:35 GMT Parents must find a way to enjoy time with their child before they can end defiant behavior. Four year old Sarah throws temper tantrums, won't go to bed, refuses to take a bath, and is described by her parents as "hell on wheels." Peter, age seven, won't take his dishes into the, kitchen or perform other simple household chores. Thirteen year old David stays up past his bed time, argues with, his parents about everything, and has begun skipping school. His parents just don't know what to do. Do any of these children sound familiar? If so, you may know an oppositional and defiant child. Children who have spent years waiting for a family, whether in foster care in this country or in an orphanage abroad, sometimes learn negative behavior to survive. Acting out, they find, is a way to attract attention in an institution or foster home. They may then carry this behavior with them to a new home. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-child-interaction-therapypcit/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parent-child-interaction-therapypcit/ Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:51:28 GMT http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/art-therapy-has-healing-power-art-activities-help-students-prepare-for-hurricane-season/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/art-therapy-has-healing-power-art-activities-help-students-prepare-for-hurricane-season/ Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:00:42 GMT In 1992 after Hurricane Andrew hit south Florida on August 24, 1992 I contributed to an article a list of art activities that children could do at home to help them process their thoughts and feelings after their hurricane experience that year.  The activities are still relevant today, but not only as a way to process a hurricane experience but to prepare for one by taking a more proactive approach. The activities in the original article were listed and categorized under the following headings. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/tips-for-supporting-your-child%e2%80%99s-therapy-experience/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/tips-for-supporting-your-child%e2%80%99s-therapy-experience/ Thu, 23 Aug 2007 01:32:16 GMT ? Share important information with the therapist after your child?s session.  Only share information with the therapist before the session if it will directly affect your child?s therapy for that day.  Also, telling your child to ?be sure to tell your therapist? about an issue puts pressure on the child and may seem like punishment. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/don%e2%80%99t-let-the-fear-of-screwing-up-your-kids-screw-you-up-as-a-parent/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/don%e2%80%99t-let-the-fear-of-screwing-up-your-kids-screw-you-up-as-a-parent/ Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:21:57 GMT Let?s face it, we all want to avoid making the same mistakes raising our kids we believe our parents or surrogate parents made raising us. This is especially the case when we still hold grudges toward parents for what has or has not become of us. Under this historical cloud, we know yet may not admit to the old adage: ?The apple doesn?t fall far from the tree.? What this adage speaks to is the IMPOSSIBILITY of NEVER being like the parents we recall as having ?screwed us up.? As much as we swear that we will never treat our kids the way we were treated, the moments inevitably arise when we sound and act like our parents. This is human nature. We will on occasion, identify and repeat the most noxious and self defeating parenting practices employed by our parents. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/is-your-teen-dying-to-%e2%80%9chuff%e2%80%9d/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/is-your-teen-dying-to-%e2%80%9chuff%e2%80%9d/ Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:57:53 GMT One day, you go into your son?s room and to your surprise, you find that missing can of whipped cream under his bed.  You think to yourself, ?That?s odd.? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/preparing-your-child-for-school%e2%80%94more-than-supplies-and-clothes/ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/preparing-your-child-for-school%e2%80%94more-than-supplies-and-clothes/ Mon, 13 Aug 2007 00:58:18 GMT As summer draws to a close you may be relieved to have all your children's school supplies and clothes ready, but have you done all you can to prepare them for everything they face at school?