How to Break the Cycle of Insomnia Caused by Anxiety
How to Break the Cycle of Insomnia Caused by Anxiety Sleep is essential to our mental and physical health. Yet for millions of people, falling or staying asleep is a nightly struggle, often worsened by anxiety. This frustrating loop—anxiety causing insomnia and insomnia worsening anxiety—is all too common. Understanding how to break the cycle of […]
Helping Kids With Transitions: Moving, Divorce, and Other Changes
Life is full of transitions—some expected, others not. For teenagers, transitions such as moving to a new home, navigating their parents’ divorce, or adjusting to a major change at school or in the family can feel overwhelming. If you are looking for guidance for your teen during a life transition, this article is for you. […]
Autism Evaluations: What to Expect from a Neuropsychological Assessment
Common Parental Questions For many families, the idea of an autism evaluation brings more questions than answers. Parents often wonder: Is testing really necessary? What exactly happens during the assessment? Will this process give us clarity, or just another label? These concerns are understandable, but a structured neuropsychological evaluation offers far more than diagnosis. It […]
How Teens Can Manage Back-to-School Anxiety: Expert Tips & Research
You’re Not Alone Walking into a new school year can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Maybe you’re looking forward to seeing friends again but dreading homework. Maybe you’re worried about fitting in, handling new teachers, or balancing sports, activities, and academics. The truth is, you’re not the only one who feels this way. Many teens […]
Suicide Awareness Month 2025: Warning Signs, Risk Factors, and How to Help
September is Suicide Awareness Month, a time to remove the stigma around talking about suicide, highlight prevention strategies, and promote evidence-based interventions. With suicide remaining a leading cause of death among young people—and the 11th leading cause of death overall in the United States—raising awareness and encouraging proactive engagement are more urgent than ever. The […]
Helping Your Teen Build Confidence Through Goal-Oriented Challenges
Life as a teenager can feel overwhelming. School demands, social pressures, and the constant influence of technology often leave teens feeling stressed or uncertain about themselves. Parents often ask me, “How can I help my teen build confidence and resilience without pushing too hard?” One powerful answer lies in encouraging goal-oriented challenges. Research shows that […]
How to Motivate an Unmotivated Teen
If you’ve ever worried that your teen seems “unmotivated,” you’re not alone. Many parents in Bethesda, MD share this concern, especially as their children navigate school pressures, changing friendships, and the challenges of growing independence. But here’s the truth: most teenagers are not actually unmotivated — they’re motivated by different things than adults expect. In […]
How can EMDR Reduce Emotional Reactions to Trauma?
Most people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. For some, the emotional reactions to that trauma—such as intense distress, physical tension, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts—can make the idea of seeking help feel overwhelming. Traditional talk therapy can be helpful, but for some, directly retelling the story of what happened can be […]
Is Therapy Worth It When Money Is Tight?
This year feels different. Maybe you’ve said that yourself recently. Maybe you’ve been saying it all year. You’re not alone. People are scared. Inflation is still high, and it’s not just some abstract economic term—it shows up every time you go to the grocery store and spend $40 more for the same cart of food. […]
The Science Behind Why Teens Choose Risky Behavior
The top three causes of death in U.S. teenagers are accidents, homicide, and suicide. For all of recorded history, we’ve known that teens can be drawn to risky behavior. This is hardly news, but that doesn’t make it any less frightening. They get into fights, commit crimes, have unsafe sex, drive recklessly, neglect their own […]