Wanna know a seriously underrated attribute when it comes to well-being? Humility. Humility is defined as, “the quality or state of not thinking you are better than anyone else.” In another post, I discussed the perils of shame (or the … Continue reading
Author Archives: On the Yellow Couch
Three questions to ask yourself as you contemplate divorce.
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Lots of people enter therapy to process break-ups and/or divorces. Whether it is contemplating ending the relationship or learning ways to “pick up the pieces” after a break-up, talking to an unbiased professional can help. It is vastly more helpful … Continue reading
The myth that disempowers parents: Bust out the yin yang jewelry you rocked in middle school.
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Articles announcing this new book have been bombarding my social media feeds over the last couple days. The support is overwhelming for this physician’s assessment of the abysmal landscape of parenting in America: According to Dr. Leonard Sax, parents are … Continue reading
We can’t protect our kids from everything (so stop beating yourself up.)
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“My daughter has been acting out,” a mom announced to me one day in therapy. “I think it’s because of the move and because her older sisters were gone for a couple weeks visiting their dad. She doesn’t like change.” … Continue reading
Reader asks: My kid is always butt-hurt! Won’t validation just feed into it?
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Reader asks: My 8 year old son constantly whines and complains about people insulting him. Whether it’s his younger brother or kids at school, it’s always something. And the things that he gets upset about are so minor. For example, … Continue reading
The most important thing to teach your kid (and tell yourself.)
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I had been seeing Susan in therapy for a year before she made any real progress. “Bipolar II and ADHD. Like, the real deal,” was how her past therapist characterized her when she referred Susan to me. Her psychiatrist let … Continue reading
You are impressive. (A note on building self esteem.)
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I heard somehwere that self esteem only happens when you “impress YOURSELF” with your own courage, integrity, and capability. My youngest is turning 4 soon and I recently realized that I haven’t been giving him very many opportunities to do … Continue reading
3 simple guilt-busters to teach your kids.
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It’s not hard to believe that guilt-filled kids turn into depressed adults. But what are we as parents supposed to do about this phenomenon? Here are three antidotes to guilt that you can easily teach your child (and practice … Continue reading
Joey’s Secret: Defensive, strong, yet never good enough.
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I followed my mother around the mall, transforming hanging lights into spaceships and marble tiles into the surfaces of planets. Shiny reflections were laser beams to be avoided and hurdled. Zoom zoom, the mannequin Martians will be defeated! JOSEPH ALLEN TANNER!!!!! A … Continue reading
Teaching kids social skills
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The scenario is common: Kid comes into therapy with attentional or developmental issues and a self esteem hanging by a couple threads (Thread one: class clown; Thread two: the attention he gets when he gets in trouble; Thread three: The … Continue reading
ON THE YELLOW COUCH 