Blog for Better Living

Self-Care for the Caregiver – Part 1

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | June 24, 2016

On an airplane, an oxygen mask descends in front of you. What do you do? As we all know, the first rule is to put on your own oxygen mask before your assist anyone else. If you are a caregiver, this rule often is the first to fly out the window. Caring for yourself is […]

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Personal Improvement, Sleep/Relaxation, Stress

Dr. Perper Contributes to the Cover Story in the San Diego Reader!

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | May 20, 2016

The cover story of the San Diego Reader, titled We Shared this Bond discusses the importance of group support for children who have lost a mother.  The article features a San Diego-based program, Chula’s Mission. Chula’s Mission was founded in 2010 by Lyndsey Ruiz after the loss of her mother to cancer. Upon realizing the […]

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Children, Family, Grief, Parenting, Relationships

Ready for College! Are you ready?

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | May 5, 2016

You’ve put so much intensity, energy, and focus into preparing for college by studying for the SAT’s, taking AP classes and visiting schools. Now comes the most important part of the preparation process…making the transition between high school and college. Taking time to create a plan for the Four Core Components of College Readiness will […]

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Anxiety, Stress, Teens

The Psychological Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | April 1, 2016

I recently took a trip to Death Valley National Park to see the “Super Bloom” of wildflowers – a rare event that is worth seeing. Located in eastern California and Nevada, Death Valley is a unique and special place that has always inspired awe for me. Being in nature helps me with Finding Perspective, as […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Stress

A Parent’s Guide to Managing Sibling Rivalry

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | March 18, 2016

When parents decide to have more than one child, it usually involves a fantasy about a perfect relationship between siblings. The reality is that sibling rivalry exists to some degree in virtually every family in which there is more than one child. It’s completely normal for siblings to have a natural rivalry. Siblings clash and […]

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Children, Family, Parenting

The Psychological Benefits of Bonding with a Pet

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | February 20, 2016

For those of you who have visited our Point Loma office recently, you may have met our new furry friend, Rue. Rue was brought to us by our Billing Operations Manager, Monique. Rue is not just an office pet, but his presence is a wonderful adjunct to the therapy experience for some of our clients. […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Relationships, Stress

Healthy Ways to Express Anger in a Relationship

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | January 29, 2016

No matter how much we love our partner, or how happy we may be in our relationship, feelings of anger are inevitable. Bottling up your anger or expressing it in the wrong way can damage trust and result in a loss of intimacy in your relationship. However, expressing anger in a healthy way will help […]

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Family, Personal Improvement, Relationships

Coping with Loss During the Holidays

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | December 21, 2015

The holiday season is typically a time of great anticipation and excitement. But, for those of us who have experienced a loss, this time of year can be a very difficult. Memories of good times and togetherness around this time of year serve to remind us of our loss. Watching others who are feeling thankful […]

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Family, Holidays, Personal Improvement

Lessons in Forgiveness

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | November 23, 2015

People often ask me: “Do I have to forgive in order to heal?” This is a very powerful question. Whether we have been wronged by a spouse who is unfaithful, a parent who let us down as a child, or a friend who betrayed our confidence, the question of whether and how to forgive often […]

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Family, Personal Improvement, Relationships