Blog for Better Living

Writing for Mental and Emotional Well-Being

By: Other | August 18, 2017

Written by Paul Paris, Ph.D. Some of us enjoy writing. Some of us loathe it. Like any personal affinity or dislike, the process of writing may inspire and resonate with us or we may feel indifferent about it — a task with which we just don’t connect. The reasons we write are different. All of […]

Getting to Goals in Therapy

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | August 11, 2017

You have made the difficult decision to meet with a therapist. But, what will you work on in therapy? What will be the goals of your treatment? Deciding to meet with a therapist for the first time takes strength and courage, especially while experiencing emotional pain and life difficulties. You should know that most therapists […]

Understanding Adolescence

By: Other | August 4, 2017

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. At this time in my life, I have parents around me with young children in the 2-to-4 year-old range. I’ve been taken by their trials and tribulations while raising increasingly independent beings. I chuckle at the term “threenager,” which describes the emotional and behavioral challenges of that particular age group. […]

Children, Parenting, Teens

ADHD in Children

By: Other | July 28, 2017

Written by Mike Campbell, Ed.D. A common question I encounter in my work with children is, “Does my child have ADHD or is he or she just being a typical kid?” To this question, I answer that children with ADHD show signs of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity in specific ways. These children: Are in constant […]

Children, Parenting, Therapy

A Mind Game

By: Other | July 21, 2017

Written by Joy Francisco, Ph.D. Mindfulness, meaning focused awareness, is a concept of increasing popularity among mental health professionals. Mindfulness training for clients focuses on internal and external experiences in the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness interventions can be beneficial in everyday life. Not only adults stand to benefit from focusing awareness on the present […]

Taking the First Step: Seeking Therapy Following a Loss

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | July 14, 2017

Reaching out to a therapist is not always easy. It takes tremendous courage to ask for and receive help. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one, taking the first step can be even more challenging. When you lose a loved one, whether a parent, spouse, child, a close friend, or even a […]

Grief, Therapy

Protecting Our LGBTQ+ Youth

By: Other | July 7, 2017

Written by Paul Paris, Ph.D. Growing up is hard to do! For all of us, especially adolescents and young adults, exploring who we are, what we want in life, and our friendships and intimate relationships are especially important. It’s not always easy navigating our independence with what our parents and family members may expect or […]

Marrying Young…Can We Do It?

By: Other | June 19, 2017

Written by Tracey Nguyen I married at a young age, and people often wonder why. Was it because I got pregnant? Or was it because we were in a rush? My husband and I married after knowing each other for little more than a year and a half. Marrying at 21 was scary, but especially […]

Relationships

Getting Unstuck: Living with Purpose

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | June 9, 2017

Are you stuck in a place you do not want to be? Are you disheartened to find a great distance between who you are and the person you would like to be? Are you stuck in old patterns, habits, or autopilot behaviors? Do you experience thoughts that discourage change or feelings that make it seem […]

Mindfulness, Personal Improvement