Gender-Affirming Care and Parenting
Texas has been in the news lately for letters written by state officials declaring that what’s known as “Gender Affirming Care” is child abuse. It’s generally regarded as a political display, as the letters don’t change how the law actually defines child abuse, and major medical and mental health organizations have clarified that gender affirming care is not child [...]
Body Language and Parenting
Driving with my teenager this morning, I stopped at a stop sign and noticed a pair of women walking and talking nearby. Looking at the body language of the closest woman, I chuckled a little and said, "Uh oh, that looks like a big deal conversation! As we passed them, I noticed more body language, especially the other [...]
What is an Askable Parent?
An askable parent is what you want to be. No matter what your family values about sex are, chances are that you want your child to share them. For your child to know your values, and to get accurate information, they need to feel comfortable talking with you about sex. The askable parent creates that comfort, by building the [...]
Divorce: How to tell your kids
5 important things to do/think about/remember when first sitting down to tell your kids that their parents are divorcing
Divorce: 7 things kids want their parents to remember
Separation and divorce are hard on everyone involved. Here are 7 reminders from a child’s perspective about what is important to them.
Finding and Choosing a Therapist for Yourself or Your Child
This post is an FAQ for anyone considering, or already looking for a therapist for themself or someone they love. Click for a brief explanation of different types of therapists, finding a therapist with or without insurance, how to choose the right therapist for you, and a couple of other pieces of advice from the perspective of someone in the business
When should we tell the kids that we are getting a divorce?
There is no “perfect time” for this conversation, but this article offers tips about how to carefully choose choose when to tell your child about separation/divorce.
Good for him!
As an MSSW first-year intern, I worked at a residential treatment facility for teenage male sex offenders. I didn't ask for that job, and it was really-really challenging, but I definitely learned an enormous amount there. This is one of my favorite stories from that time. I worked with a psychiatrist who was a super smart guy. He was [...]
Q: When should a parent seek professional help?
Therapy can be supportive at any stage, and can help improve relationships by resolving minor challenges before they become a major problem.
The pothole story… a metaphor for change
Once upon a time, on a Monday, a man was walking down a road. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, he found himself at the bottom of a big, dark place. It was scary! After several hours, he figured out that he had fallen into a very large pothole. He wasn't able to get out on his own--actually it required a lot of help to get out, but eventually he did get out. It was awful. The very next day--Tuesday,
