Blog for Better Living

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 […]

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Children, Mindfulness, Sleep/Relaxation, Stress

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 […]

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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 […]

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Bullying, Depression, Parenting, Relationships, Teens

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 […]

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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 […]

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Mindfulness, Personal Improvement

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 […]

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Anxiety, Children, Family, Parenting, Stress

How to Be Gentle with Yourself

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | May 12, 2017

Life is hard. Yet, many of us make it worse by being hard on ourselves. We waste precious time beating ourselves up, wallowing in guilt, or chastising ourselves for mistakes we feel we’ve made. We live in a “Get Over It and Move On” society where we are implicitly or explicitly encouraged to be a […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Stress, Therapy

Do Your Kids Have Spring Fever?

By: Other | May 4, 2017

Written by Jennifer Wendt, Ph.D. Are your children bouncing off the walls lately? Are they getting sassier or fighting with one another? Have you noticed they are having difficulty concentrating or completing their homework? They may have a classic case of spring fever! Every year during the spring, I commonly observe an increase in energy […]

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Children, Parenting

I Graduated…What next?

By: Other | April 21, 2017

Written by Amanda Baba, Intern As a senior undergraduate student at the University of San Diego, I find myself counting the months until graduation. As excitement escalates, the nerves set in and the question “What next?” keeps coming up. That question comes also from family, friends — even strangers — on a weekly basis. Should […]

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Education, Personal Improvement