Blog for Better Living

Joyful Anticipation

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | September 4, 2020

Think back to pre-COVID-19 and ask yourself: Did you love the excitement of planning trips and finding new places to explore? Did you look forward to eating out with friends? Did you relish a leisurely trip through your favorite store just for fun? Did you look forward to exercise time at the gym? Did you […]

Read More

Depression, Parenting, Personal Improvement

Got Scaredy Cat Kids?

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | January 24, 2020

When our kids feel anxious or scared, any parent would want to jump in and save them from emotional discomfort. In our busy lives, we tend to jump in too soon or brush concerns aside with a quick “there’s nothing to worry about.” Whether you tend to jump in as a swooper or dismiss as […]

Read More

Anxiety, Children, Parenting

What it Means to be a Highly Sensitive Person

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | January 29, 2019

You probably know what it means to be an introvert versus an extrovert. Such psychological terms are now mainstream. They help us understand and empathize with one another’s differences. Few people, however, know what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) versus a non-HSP. Psychologist, Dr. Elaine Aron, wanted to better understand herself […]

Read More

Anxiety, Parenting, Relationships, Stress

The ‘Nature’ Effect

By: Other | September 21, 2018

Written by Anke Reineke, Ph.D. Is it not natural for humans to spend time in nature? Is it not a vital component of our well-being? I’ve been enjoying the outdoors my whole life. During my childhood, being outdoors was the only place I wanted to be. I spent many hours every day on playgrounds or […]

Read More

Anxiety, Children, Parenting, Personal Improvement, Stress

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 […]

Read More

Children, Family, Parenting, Relationships, Teens

How to be a “Whole-Brain” Parent as Your Child’s Brain Develops

By: Other | May 11, 2018

Written by Anke Reineke, Ph.D. What’s going on when your child throws a tantrum in the middle of a store? Why sometimes does your preschooler refuse to eat breakfast or get dressed? No logical reason seems to exist when these things happen. As a parent, your diligent efforts to calm your child may be met […]

Read More

Children, Parenting

How to Talk with Children about Tragedy

By: Other | March 16, 2018

Written by Jennifer Wendt, Ph.D. Do you wonder how to talk about tragic events with your children? With media seemingly broadcasting such events 24 hours a day, we are exposed to much more information than ever before. We are less able to protect our children from the news of tragedies, allowing our children exposure to […]

Read More

Children, Parenting

Talking to Your Child About Violence

By: Other | March 9, 2018

Written by Anke Reineke, Ph.D. In the past weeks we have seen and heard a lot about violence in school. Such violence has an impact beyond the place where it happened. Violence in our world today is all around our kids, in the media, in our communities, and even in our schools. Our kids are […]

Read More

Anxiety, Children, Depression, Parenting, Stress, Teens

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”. – […]

Read More

Children, Family, Parenting, Teens