Overcoming Performance Anxiety
We all know the feeling of cold, clammy hands and shivers up the spine right before we step out onstage, take a test, or make a speech. Some people find this sensation so difficult to handle that they avoid it as much as possible. They might not try out for a play,...
Introverts, Extroverts, and Social Anxiety
Betty is not shy. Shyness is a fear of social judgment that causes people to withdraw from social settings. When shyness is extreme, we call it social anxiety. Betty isn’t afraid of social situations. She doesn’t fear parties. She just dislikes them. Betty is what we...
LOSING GRACEFULLY
Emma started the discussion in my parenting class with the following story: My daughter and I were playing an exciting game of CandyLand. Her entire four-year-old face was intently focused on the board as she skipped her card across two red spaces. She was very...
The Psychological Quick-Fix Fending off the Blues
“I feel like I’m just in a slump,” says Miriam. “Nothing exciting happened recently. Nothing exciting is going to happen. After the holiday break, we went straight back into school, and it’s like every teacher couldn’t wait to pounce on us with tons of work. It’s just...
Psychology Today Articles
- Olympic-Level Conversations With KidsMany post-traumatic parents wish they knew how to have impactful conversations with their kids. The Olympics offers a great time to start. Here's why, and what to talk about.
- Mariska Hargitay's Accurate Analogy for Child AbuseMariska Hargitay's testimony to Congress about the impact of child abuse was profound, especially the analogy she used.
- TikTok's #kidscursingchallenge Is Dangerous. Here's Why.The #kidscursingchallenge can interfere with attachment, is exploitative, and, most crucially—doesn't address the trauma many of these kids may be carrying.
- Can a Parent Really Spank a Child "Out of Love"?When a mom in my parenting class insisted she spanks out of love, we tried a simple experiment. The results shocked us all.