Dr. Karp has found success in managing his toddler patients, and offers his tips and tricks in the national best selling book The Happiest Toddler on the Block. He promises to “eliminate tantrums, raise a patient, respectful, and cooperative one- to four-year-old,” - that’s a heavy promise, if I’ve ever heard one! Plenty of parents I work with have mentioned this book, and I needed to see what they hype was about.
Read More
The therapist client relationship is undoubtedly one of the most complicated in terms of boundaries, and knowing what is appropriate and what’s not. This leads to a lot of question marks for both clients and therapists. If you’ve felt unsure once or twice about whether something is ‘appropriate’ in your therapeutic relationship- you’re not alone! Looking for some ways to express thanks to your therapist? Here are 7 ideas your therapist will surely appreciate:
Read More
For teenagers summer breaks act as a bookmark in life. Milestones marking monumental changes in friend groups, relationships, development, and their sense of self.
As parents, it is sometimes difficult to know how to best support your teen over the summer: wanting to help them find a balance between structure and relaxation.
Want to help your teen have a memorable summer they’ll never forget?
Read More
It’s likely your teen’s motivation was nosediving before spring break. And now that Spring Break is over, and school is back in session there is soon to be no remnant of any academic focus until Summer break.
As parents, it’s tough to watch your kid hit ‘cruise control’ through the remaining trimester of school. You try to encourage them to stay focused and on-task, as you continue to struggle to find your own motivation. These last few months between Spring Break and Summer Break are brutal for all of us- students, teachers, and parents alike.
Here are our 5 tips to Help You Motivate Your Teen Between Spring Break and Summer Break:
Read More
If you have a middle or high school student in Oak Park or nearby schools, chances are that they have had suicide prevention training at school. But there is a hole in the training that is often missed, and our youth are asking for answers.
Read More
Has the big scary 'Unknown' of what to expect from therapy held you back from reaching out to a therapist? This family therapy video details the basics of what to expect from your first call and your first therapy session. It's not as scary as you think - Promise!
Read More
The sting of failure is hard and heavy, and we do not need more things adding shame.
New Years is the time of brand new beginnings and renewed hope in change. It’s also the beginning of the age-old saga of setting New Year’s Resolutions that you’ll stay on track with through mid-February and will have completely forgotten about by mid March. But, if you have a teeny tiny part of you still hopeful for change and have some things you’d like to achieve in 2019, then we’ve got 5 ways to make sure your Resolution is on track for success.
If you’re not looking forward to seeing a certain family member (or all your family members, no shame here) this holiday season, you’re not alone.
When standing toe to toe with a task that feels much too big - like enjoying everyone’s company this holiday season- it is always powerful to start with one small change. There is one, scientifically proven, small change that you can make this year to benefit those you come in contact with and yourself.
Here are 3 reasons why you should be extra generous with the hugs this holiday season, even to those you’re not the most thankful for:
Parenting is hard enough without your kids making their consequence a punishment for you.
Have you ever given your kid a consequence that didn’t get executed as planned?
You end up feeling frustrated and foolish that they were able to pull one over on you. Now you’re dreading giving consequences in the future because it always turns into a power struggle.
Here are the top 5 ways you’re allowing your kids to beat you at your own consequences:
Negotiating consequences WITH your kid is an easy tweak to make, that results in more ‘buy in,’ and compliance from your kid as they are actively engaged and participating in the process of determining a consequence. It offers autonomy to your youth in a time when they may feel powerless to the consequence of not meeting and expectation
Read More