Blog for Better Living

Relationships, Roles, and Reality

By: Shanni Tal, Psy.D. | August 29, 2025

Navigating Life After Baby   This article is the third and final installment in our three-part series on maternal mental health. In the first article, ‘Who Am I Now?‘, we explored the emotional identity shift of new motherhood and the profound physical, emotional, and psychological changes that come with matrescence. In the second article, ‘When […]

Read More

Children, Parenting, Perinatal, Relationships

When Joy and Grief Coexist

By: Shanni Tal, Psy.D. | August 22, 2025

Making Space for the Complex Emotions of Parenthood   This article is the second in our three-part series on maternal mental health. In the first article, ‘Who Am I Now?’, we explored the emotional identity shift of new motherhood and the profound changes – physical, emotional, and psychological, that accompany matrescence. Here, we’ll explore the […]

Read More

Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Parenting, Perinatal

First Day of School: Parent Fantasy vs. Reality

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | August 8, 2025

I’m not quite sure how it’s possible, but the summer is already winding down. In theory, part of me finds the idea of new school supplies and a fresh start appealing. It’s the same part that daydreams about celebrating the kids’ first day back – imagining us sitting around the dinner table, sharing all the […]

Read More

Children, Family, Parenting, Relationships, Teens

What Women Really Want

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | April 4, 2025

The 6th Love Language of Attunement   We often discuss the five love languages – words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, gifts, and physical touch. But there’s an unspoken sixth love language that many women crave: attunement. It’s the emotional labor of noticing, anticipating, and responding to a partner’s needs without being asked. […]

Read More

Parenting, Perinatal, Relationships, Stress

Navigating Parenthood: Supporting a Neurodivergent Child with Rejection Sensitivity

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | January 31, 2025

In my work with parents of young children with confirmed or suspected neurodivergence, I often observe them navigate between celebrating their child’s gifts and managing their challenges. If you’re a parent of a neurodivergent child, the one-size-fits-all parenting strategies that are all too common on Instagram may work for other kids, but they might not […]

Read More

Anger, Anxiety, Children, Depression, Parenting, Stress

What You Need to Know About Maternal Rage

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | September 27, 2024

Maternal rage is often misunderstood as anger or frustration experienced by mothers, stemming from the pressures and challenges of parenting. But it’s so much more. This intense emotional state is a response to systemic inequities, societal expectations, lack of support, and unmet needs amidst overwhelming parenting and household duties that cause moms to feel powerless, […]

Read More

Anger, Family, Parenting, Perinatal, Relationships

The Power of Validation

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 9, 2024

We all want to feel heard, accepted, valued, and even loved. When we validate someone, we are essentially giving them this experience. Life can be confusing and difficult for all of us, but when we are genuinely validated, we feel acknowledged and reassured that we are not alone. Life seems more manageable, and we become […]

Read More

Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Parenting, Relationships, Therapy, Trauma

Balance Parenting Responsibilities: Increase Equity and Decrease Resentment

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | April 12, 2024

Many women in their 30’s grew up observing traditional gender roles, when women primarily managed child-rearing responsibilities and “kept the home,” while men worked outside the home to provide financial stability. Over the years gender roles have changed and women have more opportunities to advance their careers. Despite this significant evolution, women with careers who […]

Read More

Depression, Parenting, Relationships, Stress

How to Cope with Gender Disappointment

By: Niyatee Sukumaran, Ph.D. | November 10, 2023

If you are an expectant parent, you’ve undoubtedly been asked: “Do you want a boy or a girl?” All expectant parents have their own ideas and expectations about the biological sex of their future child and create fantasies around what an ideal family looks like. The anticipation of a child’s gender can lead to a […]

Read More

Anger, Anxiety, Children, Depression, Family, Grief, Parenting, Perinatal, Relationships