Have you experienced having a busy day of running around, feeling tired at night, and looking forward to sleeping…and then your mind starts? The minute your head hits the pillow, your brain gets going. Perhaps you’re worried about an upcoming event, wondering how you’ll manage the rest of the week, or suddenly remembered something you meant to do during the day. Whatever the thoughts are, they’re keeping you awake, and it’s an uneasy feeling that can lead to worries about being unable to sleep. Dr. Margarita Cossuto, post-doctoral fellow at CBT Westport, explains that often when we are busy ru ..read more

“A lot of people assume that having OCD means liking things organized or hating germs. It tends to be treated like a quirk or an endearing trait. But it’s so much more than that.” ―Whitney Amazeen Obsessive Compulsive Disorder affects approximately 1 in 100 adults and as author Whitney Amazeen stated, it is so much more than an aversion to germs or a desire for organization.  OCD is a mental health disorder that creates a significant impact on a person’s life by consuming many hours in the day and leads to suffering and loss of time devoted to personal goals, valued activities, and relati ..read more

Parents play a crucial role in helping children cope with mental health challenges, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  When seeking treatment for OCD, it is essential to find a therapist who specializes in evidence-based approaches, particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).  Read on to learn: a) what ERP is, b) why it is vital for effective OCD treatment, and c) questions to ask potential therapists to ensure that they are well versed and experienced in the best psychotherapeutic approach for treating OCD. Understanding Exposure and Response Prevention Exposure ..read more

Members of Generation Z include people who were born between 1995 and 2010. Sandwiched between Millennials and Generation Alpha, Gen Z individuals are growing up in a time of uncertainty and stress. This generation is also significantly more likely than other generations to report negative mental health according to a recent survey by the APA. One of the major types of mental health struggles that Gen Z is having a hard time with is Social Anxiety. Social Anxiety, also called Social Phobia, is an intense and persistent fear of being evaluated or judged by others. The fear can significantly imp ..read more

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) are disorders that affect focus, self-control and executive functioning in both children and adults. ADHD impacts 11% of children and 5% of adults in the U.S. However, these numbers likely reflect a lower estimate given some of the unique challenges that come along with accurate diagnosis and misconceptions associated with treatment. October is ADHD awareness month and despite the common occurrence of this disorder in children and adults, there continues to be stigma about diagnosis and treatment. We have prev ..read more

As children and teens head back to the classroom, many are also heading back to the field, the gridiron, the court or the rink. It is important for parents and coaches to familiarize themselves with the difference between helpful and unhelpful stress and anxiety as it relates to performance in sport. Student athletes feel tremendous pressure both in and out of the classroom.  Awareness and open, positive engagement is key in helping kids manage their anxiety in a variety of competitive situations. Here are a handful of categories of psychological stress as it relates to performance: Fear ..read more

Watching your child or teenager be rejected or experience unkindness can be incredibly painful and anxiety-producing.  We want our children to fit in, to be liked and appreciated for who they are, and to feel a sense of belonging.  When social problems arise, we can react in different ways: feeling overwhelmed, feeling worried that our child will suffer or things will only get worse, or becoming critical of our teen or their friends. Our efforts to control the situation can backfire and lead our kids to feel unsupported.  When this happens, kids tend to stop sharing their bumps ..read more

September is here and so is the return to school for many kids. In addition to organizing the school supplies, after school schedules, and car pools, parents may also be busy starting to communicate with their child’s school. If your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it is important to talk to their new teacher and the school support team early on. ADHD (or ADD) is a neurological disorder that affects the parts of the brain that plan, focus, and follow through on tasks. For these reasons in addition to several others, communicating your child’s diagnosis to their schoo ..read more

As the end of Summer quickly approaches, both kids and parents are anticipating the next transition of back-to-school. This can be a stressful time for both kids and their families. If your child is anxious  leading up to the start of school, these tips can help. Start Transitioning from Summer Vacation Mode to School Mode Ease into schedules changes and increased responsibility a few weeks before school begins. Practice morning and evening routines. This includes school wake-up times, bed-times and meal times. Prepare ahead of time for logistics such as school supplies, transportation ..read more

POV: It’s 2 AM and you’ve been awake for over an hour. You are tossing and turning and can’t get back to sleep. We’ve all been here before and, in fact, occasionally struggling to fall or stay asleep is normal. Sleep problems are considered to be insomnia only when they become persistent and interfere with daily functioning. While we have previously gone into depth on the benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), it is also useful to have a quick reference of things NOT to do when you are tossing and turning and wishing for sleep in the middle of the night. DON’T stay in B ..read more