Blog for Better Living
When an Attitude of Gratitude Hurts
By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | December 16, 2022
The holiday season is upon us, and images of seemingly blissful couples and families dressed in cozy winter sweaters are splashed across our media. These happy, “shiny” people are shown enjoying a Thanksgiving feast together, frolicking in leaves, and cuddling by the fireplace. We are encouraged to ‘count our blessings!’ and ‘be grateful’ for what […]
Read MoreThe Fawn Response
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | December 9, 2022
Fight, Flight, Freeze……Fawn? Most people are familiar with the stress responses known as fight, flight, and freeze. These are natural responses to real, or perceived physical or emotional threats. These responses help us evade and manage threats and dangers we encounter to keep us safe. Have you heard of the fawn response? It’s less well […]
Read MoreTherapy Changes Welcomes Dr. Melissa Bernstein
By: Other | December 2, 2022
Written by Melissa Bernstein, Ph.D. I’m so excited to be welcomed into the Therapy Changes family. The journey to become a child psychologist has been a true privilege for me. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to support kids and families in different professional capacities as a therapist, professor, and researcher for over a decade. I find […]
Read MoreGet our latest articles sent directly to your inbox!
Why are holidays so hard? A Guide for Coping
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | November 25, 2022
If the holidays don’t feel like the often quoted ‘most wonderful time of the year,’ you aren’t alone in that feeling. At an early age, we learn that the holidays are times for festivity, a time for the entire family to come together in perfect joy. Social media shows idyllic images of beautiful families together, […]
Read MoreCompassionate Self-Talk for the Stressed-Out Parent
By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | November 18, 2022
The tasks of parenthood can feel overwhelming. Whether you are a stay-at-home parent or balancing a job with parenthood, these years are trying. You’re managing your own mental and physical well-being as well as that of tiny humans. There are dozens of seemingly invisible tasks that add up and it feels like there’s never enough […]
Read MoreIndian Parenting: The Cost of Keeping Up Appearances
By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | November 11, 2022
What happens when the approval of others comes at the cost of your child’s well-being and mental health? And would you recognize that it was happening? If you are an adult child of Indian origin, your parents likely encouraged you to become a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. You may have pursued a career in one […]
Read MoreMindfulness for Holiday Stress
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | October 21, 2022
It’s almost holiday season! This statement might elicit excitement, joy, as well as other emotions such as dread, stress, or a combination of these, and other feelings. The holidays raise mixed emotions, and for many of us, stress is an expected component of this time of year. Between holiday travel, possible inclement weather, gift buying, […]
Read MoreRejection Sensitive Dysphoria: What You Need to Know
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | September 30, 2022
Most people are concerned with being liked and fear rejection by others, but those with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) are hypersensitive to this possibility and the repercussions are profound. A desire to be liked and accepted by others is a deeply embedded survival instinct and feeling rejected is a fundamentally distressing, and at times, quite […]
Read MoreUnplugging the Social Anxiety Spotlight
By: Other | September 23, 2022
Written by Stephanie Salo, Psy.D. If you dread social situations because you worry about being perceived as “weird,” or if you feel awkward around new people or in groups, you are likely experiencing the immobilizing effect of social anxiety. Although it is common to feel some nervousness in social settings (especially during re-entry in the […]
Read More