How to Get Straight A's in Life
In a recent dinner conversation with my friend, colleague, and mentor Dr. Ann Sturgis, we got to exploring the kinds of attitudes that kids need to acquire for success in life. We were talking about...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Psychiatry Takes a Step Toward Understanding Alcoholism
For the past five years a task force appointed by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has been busy working on the first revision of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in 15 years. The...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Helping Children Feel Safe in an Unsafe World
The world is not a safe place. Just listen to the news: Shootings, drownings, accidents, disease, natural disasters… The list of possible tragedies is endless. And yet, as parents, one of our core...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Science of Social Engineering can help with Gun Violence
Another day and another tragic random shooting with so many young innocent children and school personnel now gone. While much has been said about how to help children and others cope with such horrific...
View ArticleViolence and Shame: The Attack Other Response
Since we live and interact with others, all of us risk experiencing shame. How we deal with shame when we experience it, and the ways in which we respond to others who experience shame in relation to...
View Article14 Tips for Managing Anxiety After the Shootings
As a parent of young children, I have been a mess since the school shootings. I'm jittery, irritable and am having trouble sleeping, What can I do to avoid anxiety when I feel our sense of safety has...
View ArticleSay Goodbye to the Santa Claus Lie
Parents often feel a twinge of guilt when they lie to their children about Santa Claus. But in her article, “The Santa Lie: Is the Christmas Con Hurting our Kids?” Slate author Melinda Wenner Moyerbut...
View ArticleCrazy People with Guns
[This was written some time ago in another venue. Thought it appropriate to re-post] Unfortunately there have been three terrible mass murders within the past week. In each case guns were used. Also,...
View ArticleMental Health Experts, After Sandy Hook, If Not Now, When?
Now is the time for all good mental health professionals to come to the aid of our country: Come together as a formidable body with a voice and a cause to be heard. Step forward en masse and bring...
View ArticleEnlightened Self-Interest
Joan: “Frank and I have been married for over twenty years. He was a career diplomat and I had faithfully followed him to his many posts around the world, being a supportive wife and mother of three. I...
View ArticleThe Power to Choose
I write today as a parent first and a psychologist second. Words are not coming to me like they usually do. The senseless tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary has shaken us all to the core. As I write this...
View ArticleAsperger’s, Autism, and Mass Murder
Whenever something horrible happens the public and the media look for answers . . . factoids to explain what may be truly inexplicable. Whatever information can be discovered is tossed out into...
View ArticleThe Time For Action Is Upon Us
Guest blogger: Rita SchianoA few days ago, I received an e-mail from Rena Hannaford, CEO of KidsTerrain, Inc., asking me to write a blog for their web site pertaining to the senseless killing of 20...
View ArticleIs a Meaningful Public Dialogue Possible After This?
After the recent tragedy in Newtown, CT, the world has, naturally and understandably, been engaged in a fervent dialogue. What happened? How could it have been prevented? What do we need to do in the...
View ArticleCoaching on the Island of Misfit Toys
Professional and collegiate sport teams spend endless hours scouting and recruiting players… youth sport teams do not. Moms, dads, and unwitting volunteers often find themselves standing in front of a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
2 Upgrades For Making Gift-Giving Decisions
Deciding on the right gifts for each of the loved ones and work associates on your lists can be fun, and also can feel overwhelming. Here's two principles that can help.Gift-giving principle #1:...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Surviving Family Holiday Gatherings
It's December and you know what that means. Holidays! Family! Wait... holidays with family? Really? with….family? @&#! with family?!?!?!You don’t have to guess who’s coming to dinner. You know the...
View ArticleSandy Hook Tragedy Sparks Social Media Avalanche
The Sandy Hook tragedy has created an avalanche of response across social media. The senseless violence has so outraged and shocked people that is has turned observers into advocates and supporters....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Weapons of Mass Distraction
Last Sunday I read a New York Times article entitled, “Learning to Let Go: First, Turn Off the Phone.” As someone who studies the impact of technology, particularly the impact on our own personal...
View Article