Rice Psychology Group, Author at Rice Psychology

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. I’m a single mom who works 9 to 5 and takes care of two kids. Most of my time is spent sitting at my desk, running errands, attending school functions, helping with homework, or cleaning the house. The state of my life left me feeling lonely, empty, and depressed, which was later diagnosed by a psychologist. It was recommended that, on top of my therapy, I should make some time for myself. My psychologist recommended a jog in the park or walking the dog. After taking her advice, I was...

Bonding with Experiences: The Importance of Growing Closer with Your Family

By Rice Psychology Group

on December 6, 2019 at 1:22 pm /

I’d like to share a funny story with you this week. The other day on my way to work, I came to a stoplight and immediately noticed that the car in front of me had numerous bumper stickers strewn across it. This clearly caught my attention because there were so many, and in an effort to kill time at this long light, I proceeded to count them. After all, that’s what you do when you’re stuck at a light behind a car with a ton of stickers, right? In scanning the car over, I got to 100 and stopped, mainly because the...

Family Therapy: How a Joint Session with Your Loved Ones Can Work Wonders

By Rice Psychology Group

on October 24, 2019 at 11:37 am /

Consider the following example as it relates to this week’s topic. The other day, one of my daughters came into the kitchen and said, “Hey Dad, I need some money to repay a friend who bought me Starbucks and for some haunted houses I’ll be going to next week for Halloween.” Now, granted, asking for money is a bit of a trigger for me, and nevermind the fact that I’ve routinely talked to her about saving money and getting a job. In walks my older daughter who has conveniently overheard this conversation and says to me, “That’s not fair! I asked for...

Being the Best Role Model: How a Parent’s Screen Addiction Can Affect Their Child’s Well-Being

By Rice Psychology Group

on October 5, 2019 at 7:38 am /

As a parent, do you believe that you’re a good role model for your child? It seems like a simple question and our experience shows that a majority of parents want to be good role models. When you look closer at every detail of your life, though, you may find some potentially damaging behaviors that can have a negative effect on your children’s well-being. One potentially damaging behavior that a parent can pass onto their child is an over-reliance or addiction to screen time. Our Tampa-based psychologists and therapists would like to highlight how this behavior can easily become an addiction and how...

An Introduction to Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

By Rice Psychology Group

on October 17, 2018 at 4:11 pm /

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) can be difficult to understand by family, friends, loved ones, and even those who have it, because symptoms rarely make much sense and “rituals” can be hard to explain. People with OCD struggle to express their obsessions and need for these habits, causing further misunderstanding about the condition. What is OCD? OCD is often stereotyped as extreme cleanliness and orderliness. While fears related to contamination are common, this stereotype drastically reduces the grand scope of obsessional fears as well as the true distress that they can result in. Obsessions can include anything you can think of. For example, you...

An Introduction to Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

By Rice Psychology Group

on October 17, 2017 at 3:23 pm /

Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) are difficult to understand by family, friends and loved ones, as well as by those suffering from one. OCD often does not make much sense, and “rituals” can be confusing for others to understand. As a result, those who suffer from OCD may struggle to express their obsessions and rituals. And this often furthers the misunderstandings of the condition. Understanding OCD is the first step to overcoming it. What is OCD? Obsessive-compulsive disorder is often stereotyped as extreme cleanliness and orderliness, much like Oscar in The Odd Couple. While fears related to contamination are common, this stereotype drastically reduces...

Fear with Kids: What’s Normal and What’s Not?

By Rice Psychology Group

on October 17, 2017 at 11:17 am /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s piece. I’m a bit nervous for this year’s Halloween. I have three kids and my two oldest are more than excited, but my youngest is the one I’m worried about. Last Halloween was Nick’s first outing to a haunted house and trick-or-treating. He was only six years old, so I should’ve known better. I didn’t prepare him at all for the haunted house and he ran out screaming and crying a minute after entering. I felt so horrible seeing him terrified like that. For a few days, he was constantly remembering...

Pregnancy: Getting Through One of the Most Difficult Periods of Your Life

By Rice Psychology Group

on August 30, 2017 at 10:24 am /

Written by Amanda Schwait Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist There are few phrases in life that change your world quite like the words, “You’re pregnant.” No matter the circumstances surrounding your pregnancy, you can be sure that there are definitely going to be changes in your body, mind, lifestyle and/or family structure. Before getting to the part where you’ll raise a child, you’ll have to make it through the pregnancy. Life is full of challenges. Sometimes, we easily rise to the occasion, but there are also times where we need help understanding what's going on and how to cope. With the help of our...