Blog for Better Living

Who 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 […]

Anxiety, Depression, Family, Parenting

How 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 […]

Family, Holidays, Stress

LGBTQ+ 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 […]

Anxiety, Family, Holidays, LGBTQ+

Back to School, Back to Routine: The Cost of Tech Addiction

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | August 31, 2018

The final weeks of summer are upon us. The sun is out, final vacations are being savored. We have the time and space to interact with the people around us. Weekend adventures and warm evenings prompt us to step outside to engage with the natural world. We noticeably “feel” better, healthier, and are consciously aware […]

~ Present and Pleasant ~

By: Other | May 18, 2018

Written by Jennifer Wendt, Ph.D. Do you find yourself multitasking to get through the day? Is your to-do list longer than you will ever accomplish? Do you frequent your phone to pick up messages, check your calendar, or read something interesting? If you answer yes to any of these, I’ll bet your family and friends […]

Talking Hot Topics with Kids

By: Other | February 2, 2018

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. “If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you`ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it”. – […]

Children, Family, Parenting, Teens

Take Care of Yourself During the Holidays

By: Other | December 22, 2017

Written by Paul Paris, Ph.D. The winter holidays are supposed to be a time of joy. For some of us, that expectation may not match our experience. Typically in our society, for those of us who celebrate the holiday season, the winter holidays are spent with friends and family, engaging in traditional activities, sharing certain […]

Family, Holidays, Stress

Talking to Children About Divorce

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | June 2, 2017

Introduction by Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. Guest article by Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq., New Ways for Families One of the first questions asked by parents who are beginning the divorce process is, “What should we tell the children, and how should we tell them?” Most parents, understandably, have a tough time telling their children about their […]

Gratitude

By: Other | October 28, 2016

Written by Asal Azizi, Psy.D. As the month of October comes to a close, and we look ahead to November, tis the season for gratitude. The upcoming holiday season, and especially Thanksgiving, reminds us of the importance of expressing what we are most grateful for in our lives. Throughout the season, in the news, we […]