Blog for Better Living

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Divorce is tough on kids. Here’s what you can do to help them cope.

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | November 21, 2013

For children, divorce can be stressful, sad, and confusing. At any age, kids may feel uncertain or angry at the prospect of their parents splitting up. As a parent, you can make the process and its effects less painful for your children. Helping your kids cope with divorce means providing stability in your home and […]

Children, Family

After the Decision – Moving Forward with the Adoption Process

By: Other | November 13, 2013

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. Educating yourself about adoption and talking it over with those that you care most about is a crucial part in the adoption process. We take this step in planning a biological family, and it is just as important in welcoming an adoptive child into our lives. Once you values are […]

Children, Family

Starting a Family? Is Adoption for You?

By: Other | November 7, 2013

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. Nineteen years ago I became the proud adoptive mom of my now 25 year old daughter. The process leading up to the adoption began several years before any paperwork was completed. Considerations of financial stability, emotional/mental ability to manage being a single parent, support structures in my life, and honestly […]

Children, Family

Demystifying Therapy

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 31, 2013

Most people, when asked what they do for a living can answer relatively quickly and easily. This is not the case for me, as well as many Psychologists. Although the practice of psychology has gained a great deal of recognition and there have been recent developments in psychology research over the past thirty years, misconceptions […]

Therapy

How to Cope in a “Get Over and Move On” Society

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 18, 2013

For those who have experienced loss, disappointment, betrayal, or trauma, the expression get over it and move on is a difficult concept to accept. If you have ever experienced the deep sorrow, confusion, sense of loneliness and aimlessness associated with the situations described here, you know that it’s not that easy to “get over it” […]

Grief

Failure is not an option – it is a requirement

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 11, 2013

We live in a culture where photos are airbrushed and perfection reigns supreme. Our society today provides role models that are seemingly perfect. Teens in particular are vulnerable to wanting to “fit in” by emulating what they see in the media by striving perfection. This pursuit, although noble, is a detriment to young people and […]

Children, Family

Understanding Teenage Grief

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 4, 2013

Teens grieve differently than adults. They move in and out of strong emotions and often grieve for a longer period of time. Their behavior may range from cold and withdrawn to clingy, to appearing as though they are doing fine. They are often not able to express in words, how they are feeling or what […]

Children, Grief

Teen Addiction: What you Need to Know

By: Other | September 27, 2013

Written by Karin Thebus, Psy.D. Addiction has devastating effects on all who become addicted, but adolescents are especially vulnerable to the effects of addiction. The behaviors and thought processes associated with adolescence are unique, and therefore a need exists for a specialized treatment to address the problems of teenage addiction. The disease of addiction in […]

Family, Therapy

Finding Work-Life Balance – Is it Really Possible?

By: Other | September 18, 2013

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. “A time for everything: A time to relax and a time to be busy, a time to frolic and a time to labor, a time to receive and a time to give, a time to begin and a time to finish.” –Unknown Author School is back in session, summer vacation is […]

Personal Improvement

Finding Meaning from Tragedy: 9/11 12 years later

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | September 11, 2013

9/11 was a turning point in my life. I wasn’t in New York, I didn’t see the smoke and destruction, and yet my life changed that day – as it did for millions of Americans. Every year since then, people across the country have taken a moment to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost that […]

Family, Grief, Therapy