Blog for Better Living

Divorce is tough on kids. Here’s what you can do to help them cope.

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | November 21, 2013

For children, divorce can be stressful, sad, and confusing. At any age, kids may feel uncertain or angry at the prospect of their parents splitting up. As a parent, you can make the process and its effects less painful for your children. Helping your kids cope with divorce means providing stability in your home and […]

Children, Family

Demystifying Therapy

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 31, 2013

Most people, when asked what they do for a living can answer relatively quickly and easily. This is not the case for me, as well as many Psychologists. Although the practice of psychology has gained a great deal of recognition and there have been recent developments in psychology research over the past thirty years, misconceptions […]

Therapy

How to Cope in a “Get Over and Move On” Society

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 18, 2013

For those who have experienced loss, disappointment, betrayal, or trauma, the expression get over it and move on is a difficult concept to accept. If you have ever experienced the deep sorrow, confusion, sense of loneliness and aimlessness associated with the situations described here, you know that it’s not that easy to “get over it” […]

Grief

Failure is not an option – it is a requirement

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 11, 2013

We live in a culture where photos are airbrushed and perfection reigns supreme. Our society today provides role models that are seemingly perfect. Teens in particular are vulnerable to wanting to “fit in” by emulating what they see in the media by striving perfection. This pursuit, although noble, is a detriment to young people and […]

Children, Family

Understanding Teenage Grief

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 4, 2013

Teens grieve differently than adults. They move in and out of strong emotions and often grieve for a longer period of time. Their behavior may range from cold and withdrawn to clingy, to appearing as though they are doing fine. They are often not able to express in words, how they are feeling or what […]

Children, Grief

Finding Meaning from Tragedy: 9/11 12 years later

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | September 11, 2013

9/11 was a turning point in my life. I wasn’t in New York, I didn’t see the smoke and destruction, and yet my life changed that day – as it did for millions of Americans. Every year since then, people across the country have taken a moment to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost that […]

Family, Grief, Therapy

Seven Principles for a Healthy Marriage

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | September 6, 2013

Book Review: Seven Principles of a Healthy Marriage (2000) by John Gottman What makes some relationships last while others fizzle out? This million dollar question has been asked by theorists as well as members of the general public for hundreds of years. Dr. John Gottman has devoted his life’s work to addressing the complex question […]

Relationships

Therapy Changes Parent’s Guide: Ending the Nightly Homework Struggle

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 21, 2013

On Thursday, August 15, Dr. Rochelle Perper was featured on the FOX5 San Diego morning segment entitled “The Mommy and Daddy Handbook” to ending the nightly homework struggle. You can see the video here. Contrary to what your kids might say, homework is important. In fact, homework is oftentimes one of the first ways kids […]

Children, Family

The Role of Medication in Therapy

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | July 25, 2013

For the past twenty years and more, filmmakers have depicted various types of therapy situations. From the comedy Analyze This starring Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal to the provocative HBO series In Treatment, the role of a Psychiatrist has captured the fascination of the general public. Probably the most recognized image of a Psychiatrist […]

Therapy