December 17, 2018

By Ellen Braaten, Co-Director

Question: I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life and now I see my seven-year-old son struggle with it too. I’m worried about his future.

December 7, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director and Steven Schlozman, Co-Director

Let’s just paint a little picture. It’s a picture we already know pretty well, but still every year it seems to take many of us by irritable surprise.

It’s cold outside.

October 10, 2018

By Steven Schlozman, Co-Director

Today is World Mental Health Day.

I often find these kinds of distinctions a bit troublesome.

August 8, 2018

By Steven Schlozman, Co-Director

Lots of things crossed my mind as I cringed and smiled my way through Bo Burnham’s amazing new film, Eighth Grade.

First – and this particular sentiment was a near-constant refrain – I found myself swimming in gratitude that I was no longer in 8th grade myself.

August 3, 2018

By Steven Schlozman, Co-Director

Seth just started driving, and he’s actually doing pretty well.  The written test was a breeze, and on the streets around his house he’s relatively comfortable.  He even volunteered to drive his little sister to the mall.  His parents, while suffering a bit of the normal worries that any parent of a new driver would have, are delighted.

May 22, 2018

By Ellen Braaten, Co-Director

Ten-year-old Joyce was always known as a bit of worrier. Even as a two-year-old, she seemed anxious from time-to-time, especially when life was a bit stressful. A new babysitter, a noisy birthday party, or a vacation could all trigger nervousness and crying spells, but these symptoms generally went away fairly quickly.

April 25, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Imagine you’re crossing a street and are almost hit by a massive Mack® truck.

You jump out of the way. Your heart is racing and pounding, you’re sweating, trembling, hyperventilating, and short of breath. You feel a pit in your stomach, nausea, choking, and tightness in your chest. Your fingers and toes are tingling.

February 26, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

I love watching football.

When I was watching the playoffs this year, it was obvious that some ads were really overrepresented – those promoting comfort food and alcohol (mostly beer). And they’re super compelling. I tend to eat healthy, organic food.

February 14, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Some degree of shyness is normal and common in all children. For most, it’s a healthy cautiousness in reaction to a novel social encounter.

Here’s an example:

At a neighborhood barbeque, 4-year-old Tommy wouldn’t show his face, and buried his head in his mom’s skirt behind her. Mom gently encouraged him.

February 2, 2018

By Steven Schlozman, Co-Director

I call my mom once or twice a week to check in. When I called her yesterday, she took a second or two longer to speak than usual. Then, when she did speak, she sounded pretty awful.

“Welcome,” she whispered,

<raspy breath>

“To the house,”

<cough, wheeze>

“Of pesti—<cough>—lence.