Blog for Better Living
The Season of Gratitude
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | December 24, 2021
Thank goodness for online shopping. Seriously, how did parents, or really anyone for that matter, get all their holiday shopping done before the internet? Or do life without it? As a new parent, I am so grateful for the conveniences afforded to us through modern technology. Grocery delivery on days I’m too tired to drive […]
Read MoreSurviving the Holidays with a Narcissistic Family Member
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | December 17, 2021
Although the holidays are commonly associated with fun and merriment, for anyone with a narcissistic family member, this time of year can also be stressful and overwhelming. This article will help you better understand your relationship with a narcissistic family member, and how to not only survive – but thrive, this holiday season. What is […]
Read MoreAre Your Relationships Healthy?
By: Lisa Card Strong, Ph.D. | November 12, 2021
Psychologists know that healthy relationships are based on respect and equality. Stable, healthy friendships, romantic partnerships and work relationships are formed when people treat each other in a respectful manner. When relationships are at their best, they can be a great source of companionship, support, and intimacy. We all strive for healthy relationships, but how […]
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Surviving This Holiday Season
By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | November 5, 2021
The end-of-the-year holidays are meant to be a time of joy and togetherness. For some of us, it may be the first time seeing extended family and celebrating the holidays with others since the coronavirus pandemic. During this time popular movies, ads, and TV shows depict the holidays as a magical time where friends and […]
Read MoreThe Art of Letting Go: Tips for Newly Empty Nesters
By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | September 24, 2021
Do you find yourself looking longingly at your child’s baby pictures? Do the ads for “dorm room décor” bring you to the brink of tears? Have you recently helped your high school graduate pack up their belongings? If the answer is ‘yes,’ then you might be a new empty nester. If you are finding it […]
Read MorePreparing for Parenthood: Myths vs. Reality
By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | May 25, 2021
Parents-to-be often hear that becoming a parent is “the most wonderful and rewarding experience.” While possibly true, parenthood can also present challenges unlike any you may have experienced previously. If we put parenthood on a pedestal, we may find ourselves subscribing to unrealistic expectations that are impossible to fulfill. Dispelling myths that exist around parenthood […]
Read MoreWho Takes Care of Mama?
By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | February 5, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have made every transition and challenge much harder. Becoming a new parent is no exception. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) impacted 15-20% of moms before the pandemic. Now in its midst, experts estimate the rates of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders as much higher while bringing more social isolation […]
Read MoreHow to Deal with Your (difficult) Family this Holiday Season
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | November 29, 2019
This article gained popularity when I wrote it several years ago, knowing that many of us feel alone during the holidays or can relate to the sentiment. Back by popular demand is an updated version about how to cope with difficult family members this holiday season. We typically view the holidays as a time of […]
Read MoreLGBTQ+ Holiday Survival Guide
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | November 8, 2019
The holidays are times of joy and sharing, and so it should be for the LGBTQ+ community too. The holidays for that community can include times of particular stress as we return to our original families to celebrate the season. Some families show more affirming acceptance than others. The holidays present stress for many although […]
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