by Sally Verstraete | published Nov 28, 2022 | Children, Families, Parenting
November is National Adoption Awareness Month (NAAM). But for adoptees, it’s become National Adoptee Awareness Month. The name change by adoptees is part of their efforts to have a voice in discussions about adoption, rather than having parents and adoption agencies...
by Krista Kopchick | published Oct 28, 2020 | Anxiety, Families, Wellness
It’s hard to believe it’s been seven months since I moved my entire clinical practice to telehealth and my kids have been home from school for most of that time. Seven. Months. Has it felt like seventeen years to anyone else? COVID-19 has impacted so many aspects of...
by Dave Thornsen, PsyD | published May 10, 2020 | Children, Families, Parenting
Sometimes we think that a big part of what happens in therapy involves criticizing the mother of the patient. Actually as a profession, therapists probably have a greater sense of the importance of mothers than almost any other group. D.W. Winnicott helped us...
by Cynthia Pollet | published Apr 1, 2020 | Children, Communication, Couples, Families
Getting Along with One Another during a Quarantine I must admit, as much as I advise people against dwelling on the “What if…” questions that tend to drag us down, I have fallen prey to such thoughts in the midst of our ever-changing world. Staying in the present,...
by Abraham Bilyeu | published Dec 20, 2019 | Families, Wellness
It’s that time of year again when many of us reflect with family and friends and begin to set goals for the new year. Often we want to be healthier by exercising more, eating better, or spending more quality time with our loved ones. If you’re like most people we...
by Kerry Prior | published Dec 17, 2019 | Couples, Families, Parenting
In the hustle and bustle of the holidays we are wrapped up in what they call, the “gift of giving”. Black Friday shopping, doorbuster sales, and the need to find the perfect gift leaves many of us feeling pressured and stressed. My clients and myself feel the...
by Dave Thornsen, PsyD | published Dec 13, 2019 | Children, Families, Parenting
Twenty years ago, or so, when I was in graduate school, I thought it would be a great idea to take my two young sons Christmas shopping for their mom. They were probably 5 and 3. I loaded the Graco Duo stroller into the car and we headed for the mall. I had managed to...
by Cynthia Pollet | published Dec 11, 2019 | Depression, Families, Mental Health
Why is it so difficult for some of us? As the stores fill with shoppers during this season, so do the therapists’ offices. During a time when emotions are supposed to be “merry and bright,” people sometimes feel mad or bummed. Why are there often negative emotions...
by Rosalyn Baker | published Jan 21, 2019 | Anxiety, Depression, Families, Mindfulness
Over the years, as a Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist, I have heard many stories about all kinds of dads – some wonderful, some absent, some mediocre, some abusive. As a daughter, I know I have never stopped longing for my dad’s approval. I truly...
