An Introduction to Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

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 /

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 what had happened that night. He’s fine now but I...

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...

Where Do You Stand?

By Rice Psychology Group

on August 21, 2017 at 5:49 PM /

Good Afternoon, This is a tough letter to write. I have been struggling for days about what to say and how to say it. As a psychologist, I work hard to be respectful, ethical, moral and not allow my political views into my work with clients. However, in light of the recent events from Charlottesville from this weekend, I have decided to go ahead and share my perspective and my position. As you may know, I am Jewish and grew up in a predominantly Jewish town in New York. I learned about the Holocaust as a child and teen, visited Israel and...

Mindful Eating: Maintaining Your Goals When a Fad Diet Isn’t Working for You

By Rice Psychology Group

on August 9, 2017 at 7:45 PM /

Written by Matthew Rigberg, LHMC Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s piece. Mike’s younger brother’s wedding is in February and he’s decided that now is the best time to start shedding a few pounds to look great at the ceremony. The problem is that Mike has tried multiple diets in the past and none have worked. He thinks it mostly stems from the fact that it’s hard for him to maintain them. Mike finds it easy at first but consistently notices that he slips back to his old eating habits. Mike believes that the problem lies in his...

The Introverted Child: Understanding This Behavior and Teaching Your Kids That it’s Perfectly Fine

By Rice Psychology Group

on July 19, 2017 at 9:07 PM /

By Elaine Spencer, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist “She’s finally starting to come out of her shell.” “It just takes him a little longer to warm up to others.” “She’s more of a listener than a talker.” “He likes to take in what’s going on before joining others.” “She prefers to hang out with one friend at a time.” “He’s just quiet.” If you’re using these statements to describe your child, then he or she may be introverted. Parents, especially extroverted ones, often struggle to understand and figure out how to support their introverted child in an extroverted world. What can you do to be supportive of an introverted...

Dad Hacks: What Fathers Everywhere Can do to Make Life a Little Easier with the Kids

By Rice Psychology Group

on June 14, 2017 at 12:00 PM /

Have you noticed that there seems to be a day to recognize everything? I believe that the more recently invented "holidays" serve to devalue actual days of significance, such as Mother's Day, Labor Day and Father's Day. I've spent some time conversing with fellow fathers to glean a few trade secrets that can help to make being a dad a bit easier. I'd like to introduce a special feature called “Dad Hacks”. Being a parent can be tough when so much is going on in life. If you need a bit of help strategizing or some advice about tackling life’s hurdles,...

A Link Between Mind and Body: How Stress Can Effect Your Health

By Rice Psychology Group

on January 11, 2017 at 9:45 PM /

For so long, the medical and psychological communities have been thought of as separate fields. Have you got a migraine? Go to the doctor for medication! Are you suffering chronic...

The Victim, the Rescuer and the Persecutor: Understanding the Basics of Drama

By Rice Psychology Group

on December 7, 2016 at 8:30 PM /

Jack and Jill have been married for 25 years. They’ve done a wonderful job in raising their four children who’ve already made their way in the world. Jack has generally been the breadwinner of the family and Jill is thinking about returning to college to finish her degree...

Rice Psychology Group is pleased to present a screening of “SCREENAGERS: Growing Up in the Digital Age”

By Rice Psychology Group

on November 28, 2016 at 10:19 PM /

Hosted by Clearwater Central Catholic High School & Pinellas County Diocesan Middle Schools Dr. Wendy Rice and her team at Rice Psychology Group are proud to present a screening of the 2016 documentary, “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age”. The film shows the challenges teenagers have in balancing social media, Internet addictions and video games with home life and academics. "Screenagers" addresses the most pervasive parenting issue of our time head on--depicting teen struggles over social media, video games and internet addiction. The film empowers kids to best navigate the digital world and provides practical resources to help them do it. Dr. Wendy...