Blog Posts
“Switching your mindset from, ‘I can’t’ to ‘I’ll Learn’ is life changing”
Tips for the Perfect Home Office
In the age of remote work, having a home office that inspires productivity and comfort is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re a seasoned remote worker or new to the game, crafting the perfect workspace can make a world of difference. Here are some tips to transform your home office from a makeshift corner to a productivity powerhouse.
Understanding the Drama Triangle: Victim, Rescuer, Persecutor
The Drama Triangle, conceptualized by psychologist Stephen Karpman in 1968, is a model that explains the dysfunctional patterns of human interaction often seen in conflict or emotionally charged situations. The triangle consists of three roles—Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor—that individuals unconsciously adopt, creating cycles of drama and conflict. Understanding this triangle is a powerful tool for breaking unhealthy patterns and fostering healthier relationships.
The Three Roles of the Drama Triangle
1. The Victim
The Victim feels powerless and helpless, often seeing themselves as at the mercy of others or circumstances. They may say things like, “This always happens to me,” or “There’s nothing I can do.”
Core Belief: “I am powerless.”
Behavior: The Victim tends to avoid responsibility for their situation, seeking rescue rather than solutions.
Impact: This mindset perpetuates dependency and reinforces feelings of helplessness.
Tips for Traveling with Kids
Ah, spring break—the perfect time to escape the daily grind and create lifelong memories with your kids. But before you hit the road, there’s one thing that stands between you and a smooth vacation: packing. Fear not! Here’s a curated shopping list to keep your sanity intact and ensure your next getaway is one for the books.
1. Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks: Nothing curbs a mid-road-trip meltdown like a stash of their favorite munchies. Think granola bars, fruit snacks, and maybe a secret chocolate stash for you.
2. Portable Entertainment: Tablets loaded with movies, audiobooks, and games are lifesavers. Don’t forget headphones—unless you want to listen to “Baby Shark” on repeat.
3. Travel-Size Toiletries: Pack mini everything—shampoo, soap, toothpaste. Compact is king when you’re lugging around kids and gear.
4. First Aid Kit: Bumps and scrapes are inevitable. Stock up on Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, and a few fun stickers to make the boo-boos better.
Understanding and Managing Sensory Sensitivities in Children
Sensory sensitivities can be common amongst children which makes it difficult for parents to distinguish when these sensitivities are symptoms of a disorder. Sensory sensitivities can present as either hyper-sensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hypo-sensitivity (under-responsiveness) to stimuli. These sensitivities can interfere with a child’s daily life, such as their interactions, learning, and emotional well-being. Understanding and effectively managing sensory sensitivities is important to help children navigate their environment comfortably and confidently.
The Silent Spectrum: How Autism Presents Differently in Females vs. Males
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often perceived as a predominantly male condition, with a gender ratio that skews heavily towards boys—around 4:1. But this statistic tells only part of the story. Historically, autism has been underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed in females, largely because they tend to present symptoms differently than males. The result? Many girls and women with ASD have gone undetected, often not receiving a diagnosis until much later in life, if at all. So, how does autism manifest differently in females compared to males?
Parenting a Strong Willed Child: Embracing the Challenge and Nurturing the Strength
Parenting a strong-willed child can feel like you’re climbing an uphill battle. These children often know what they want, have strong opinions, and don’t hesitate to challenge authority. However, with the right approach, these traits can be channeled into positive characteristics that will serve them well as adults.
Telepsychiatry is Here to Stay
Telemedicine is commonly referred to as “Telepsychiatry” in the realm of mental health.
These services are provided virtually through the use of two way video conferencing, allowing individuals in remote areas to receive mental health support. Telehealth can be implemented across multiple health specialties
Navigating the Roles in Psychiatry
By understanding the roles of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, therapists, counselors, and psychologists, individuals can better navigate the journey towards improvement in their mental well-being.
Building Resilience in Kids: Strategies for Parents and Caregivers
Building resilience during the formative years strengthens an individual's ability to adapt and improve their emotional well-being which will shape a child's response to life's challenges.
Why Early ADHD Diagnosis Matters
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children, but it is often misunderstood and frequently goes undiagnosed. Early detection and intervention can make a world of difference in a child’s development. Earlier diagnosis and intervention can help an individual have a healthy relationship with learning, improve self-esteem, and prevent long-term consequences.
Understanding OCD: The Hidden Struggles and Silent Suffering
Written by: Laura LaMonica, PMHNP-BC
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is frequently misunderstood and misrepresented in popular culture. It seems most people confuse OCD as just a quirky need for cleanliness or order and that’s not the case at all. OCD sufferers can experience debilitating anxiety along with shame that can make living an ordinary life a constant struggle. It’s important to educate others because often it's so difficult for OCD sufferers to talk about their experiences and if they do, they’re often not validated for the true agony it brings about.
Help! My Child is Having a Meltdown Every Day!
Sensory Processing Disorders can be so confusing to parents as well as the child. Sometimes they can be very obvious such as when a child frequently covers their ears with their hands or refuses to eat certain textured food. Other times, it may not be as obvious to a caregiver because they see meltdowns, refusals, and tantrums that seemingly come out of nowhere and may seek out an evaluation for behavioral issues first.
To make SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) more confusing, children can experience as either hyper-sensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hypo-sensitivity (under-responsiveness) to sensory stimuli. This is also called “sensory-seeking” and “sensory-avoiding”. These sensitivities can reduce a child’s desire for ordinary social interactions, learning, and other regular activities that help a child develop their social-emotional well-being. This is why it’s so important to understand and manage sensory sensitivities.
Talking to Teens so They Will Listen
Talking to Teens so They Will Listen
by : Laura LaMonica
As a mental health provider, I often hear parents voicing their concerns about difficulty talking with their teenagers. I hear similar complaints frequently such as their teen won’t open up, they’re always on their phone, or they spend all of their time in their bedroom. Justifiably, parents are concerned and pry more but sometimes it backfires and pushes the teen further away.
Teenagers are notorious for being moody and private which makes it especially difficult to navigate interactions without poking the proverbial bear. Hang in there, parents! Since I work mostly with adolescents, I have the privilege of hearing the teens' side of things and I’m here with some insider knowledge that will help you make conversations more meaningful with your teen.
The first step is being sensitive to timing.Try to initiate an opening line at a time when they're not busy and the stress level is low. It’s going to be difficult to connect with your child if they’re in the middle of a project, hungry, just got home from school, or otherwise occupied. It’s also a good idea to ask if they’re busy and have a minute to talk before commandeering their quiet time.
Now that you have their attention, use a soft opening such as “I’d like us to talk more” or “I want us to spend more quality time together”. Have some ideas prepared if they’re agreeable on how this goal could be accomplished.
Try to be patient. They aren’t going to immediately start making plans and confessing their deepest darkest fears to you. They’ll most likely tuck this information into the back of the brain next to ‘how to fold laundry’ or something else not useful yet but maybe someday. This is still progress because you’ve planted the seed.
Next, is the action step. Try sitting with them and doing something quiet together like a puzzle or a drawing. You would be surprised how much a teen will spill when they don’t have a phone in their hand and an adult isn’t interrogating them. Pro tip: If it's easier bathing a cat than getting the phone away from them, try going for a drive and “accidentally” forgetting to bring your car’s phone charger.
Parents, the next step is the most crucial. This may come as a surprise but teenagers are incredibly sensitive to criticism. Shocking, right? No matter what your child tells you, take a breath and think before you respond. “You’ve been thinking about dyeing your hair orange? Cool, that’s interesting and will show school spirit if you’re applying to Virginia Tech or UVA”.
The bottom line is to think about how you would feel if you were them and remind yourself your response is a test if they will let you into their world.