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.

January 26, 2018

By Steven Schlozman, Co-Director

Things might seem kind of awful lately.

Every news headline, from every corner of American ideology, feels pretty depressing.  We are subjected to nihilistic rants or apocalyptic predictions.  When do we smile? When our late-night talk-show hosts use our negativity for comedic material.  I’ll admit it.

January 24, 2018

By Sara Rattigan, Comm. Director

You can also listen to this podcast on SoundCloud, Stitcher, and iTunes. 

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According to a 2017 report by the American Psychological Association, 2/3 of Americans feel stressed about the future of our nation, including a majority of each Democrats and Republicans.

January 4, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Most kids and young adults look forward to going back to school. But for those with social anxiety, school and all that comes with it can literally provoke dread.

I’m going to show you what I mean. Let’s consider Sally.

Sally is a sweet, sensitive, likeable 16-year-old girl.