Keep Calm and Color On

on November 1, 2015 at 6:48 PM /

By Elaine Spencer, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist I walked into Michaels Craft store the other day and was pleasantly surprised to see the front display was advertising coloring books for adults and I thought to myself, “Wow! Coloring really is the new craze!” So What is This New Coloring Phenomenon All About? The simple answer is that coloring can actually be therapeutic. If you were like me as a child, you spent hours with your coloring books and your parents probably thought you enjoyed coloring because ‘that’s what kids do’. We now know that children are on to something because not only is coloring...

The Zen Approach to Treating Mental Health

By Rice Psychology Group

on September 28, 2015 at 9:38 PM /

By Megan Sutsko, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breath. Follow your breath in. Notice the tiny pause between inhale and exhale. Follow your breath out. Try to clear your mind of thoughts and tune in only to the sensation of your breath flowing in and out. Stay in the moment… Meditation, the act of quieting the mind, can be an invaluable tool for mental and physical health. It is taught by yoga instructors, Buddhist zen masters, and even psychologists. This ancient Eastern technique is finding increasing acceptance in the Western world. According to Swami Rama “Meditation is a...

The Magic of Teams – A Place for Everyone

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on September 16, 2015 at 8:01 PM /

By Wendy Rice, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist 'Tis the season for trying out and participating in new or familiar sports and activities. I am a horseback rider and while it is my therapy, my love and my sport – it is also my arena for competition. Riding is an individual sport that allows for competition from the most basic beginner levels (for adults and children) through national, international and Olympic levels. Interestingly though, when I compete, I am also very much part of a team. I cheer on my barn-mates, even when I am competing directly against them; and they do the...

Summer Wrap-Up

By Rice Psychology Group

on September 4, 2015 at 9:41 AM /

Summer is a busy time of year and, if you're like me, you may not have had a chance to stay up to date on all the blogs and newsletters that you subscribe to. So, to make it easy for you, I've compiled some of our blogs from Summer 2015 along with a summary of each below. Enjoy! 9 Resources to Help Overcome Mental Health Struggles At Rice Psychology in Tampa, FL, we work with many young people who struggle with learning and attention issues. In order to provide the best service to those clients, I am always on the look out...

Should Handcuffs Be Used in Schools?

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on August 11, 2015 at 7:58 AM /

By Wendy Rice, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist A sheriff's deputy from Kentucky is currently facing federal lawsuit because he handcuffed at least two elementary school students who were acting up. It turns out that both of these children have diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder which makes it difficult for them to control their emotions and behavior. As a psychologist I have worked with children who were labeled “Seriously Emotionally or Behaviorally Disturbed” and I have had children lash out at me both physically and verbally. I have been trained in how to handle these situations by first understanding what is...

When Should You Take Action Against a Possible Eating Disorder? – Part 1

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on August 10, 2015 at 9:03 AM /

According to a survey published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, a staggering 525,000 teenagers in our nation are dealing with an eating disorder. About 300,000 of these are struggling with a binge eating disorder, while 55,000 and 170,000 struggle with anorexia and bulimia, respectively. There’s no doubt these numbers show an alarming link between teenagers and eating disorders. It is often problematic for a parent to recognize the signs. Rice Psychology Group knows that your children mean the world to you, so we want to help you identify the hidden signs of a teenage eating disorder. An eating disorder can often...

9 Resources to Help Overcome Mental Health Struggles

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on July 22, 2015 at 4:50 PM /

By Wendy Rice, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist At Rice Psychology in Tampa, FL, we work with many young people who struggle with learning and attention issues. In order to provide the best service to those clients, I am always on the look out for new information, therapies, treatments, breakthroughs, etc. and recently, it seems I’ve hit quite a jackpot of resources. My favorite thing about these resources? They aren’t just for Psychologists and Therapists. They are available to everyone to educate and help you with the challenges of your child’s mental health! Dealing with the struggles of learning and attention issues can be difficult...

Social Thinking

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on July 9, 2015 at 8:41 AM /

By Wendy Rice, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist Recently, I attended the 8th Annual Social Thinking Global Provider’s Conference in San Francisco and it was a game changer for me. Way back when I learned about teaching “social skills” I often found that kids and adults who learned such “skills” came across as stilted and unnatural. They also weren’t sure how to adapt their behavior to changing contexts and situations or didn’t even know that context was a consideration. Further, skills that were appropriate when they were younger required significant adjustment as they grew up. From Left to Right: Carol Gray of Social Stories,...

Taking Measures: Do Noncognitive Skills Affect Social and Academic Success?

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on July 6, 2015 at 9:08 AM /

Leading experts in the field of education have long claimed that noncognitive skills, such as motivation, grit and mindset, play an important role in social and academic success. Now, a leading federal testing program in America is preparing to take a look at how these factors affect our nation’s children and their development. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will include gages of these noncognitive factors in their background information tests starting in 2017. Your child’s development is our biggest goal. Contact Rice Psychology to schedule your appointment today. Sensible Crafting According to researchers from the Educational Testing Service, the NAEP background...

Developing Your Child’s Skills During the Summer

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on July 1, 2015 at 1:23 PM /

It isn’t uncommon for kids to flip the learning switch off as soon as school lets out for summer vacation. However, even after the last bell of the school year has rung, your child can continue to develop and learn. Summer learning programs can be an extremely helpful tool to help kids with learning and attention issues. At Rice Psychology Group, we have the information you need to keep your child one step ahead of the game. Your child’s needs are our priority. Call Rice Psychology to book your appointment today. Extended School Year Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, your child...