As the year winds down, many of us find ourselves juggling an uncomfortable mix of deadlines, holiday expectations, family dynamics, and the pressure to “finish strong.” While the season is often described as joyful, the holidays can increase workplace stress and emotional strain for many employees.
Many people notice increased stress or emotional strain at work during the holiday season. Rice Psychology Group understands that end-of-year burnout is real, and recognizing it early is one of the best ways to protect your mental well-being.
Why This Time of Year Feels So Heavy
1. The Push to Wrap Everything Up
Companies often rush to complete...
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How Dyslexia Is Identified: Understanding the Process
Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects how the brain processes written language. Because its signs can look different from one person to another, dyslexia is typically identified through a careful, multi-step process rather than a single test.
Understanding how dyslexia is identified can help parents, educators, and individuals recognize potential signs earlier and seek appropriate educational or psychological support when needed.
If you’ve been online recently, you might have seen that the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) has released a new definition of dyslexia. This update is sparking conversation among educators, parents, and clinicians alike — and for good reason. A clearer,...
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ADHD, Interrupting, and Relationships
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Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic: I was doing a podcast a few weeks ago with 2 co-hosts. I asked if we could put our cameras on so we could see each other while we talked. They said they'd never done their interviews with cameras on but were game to try. Afterward, both hosts commented about how much less interrupting they did because they could see each other's faces. What they didn't know was that having their cameras on was a form of an accommodation for me. I have a tendency to interrupt on the...
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Working with a Child Psychologist in Tampa: What to Expect from the First Session On
The decision to meet with a child psychologist in Tampa is often made with hope, care, and concern. Whether you're navigating anxiety, behavioral changes, or school difficulties, therapy can offer meaningful support. Understanding what to expect from the first session through ongoing care can ease any uncertainty and prepare your family for a positive experience.
The journey begins with compassion, patience, and a personalized approach to your child’s emotional and developmental needs.
Know What Happens During the Initial Session
The first session is designed to build trust between your child and the therapist, as well as gather background information. This time is less...
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Is My Child Gifted? How Gifted Testing in Tampa Can Provide the Answers You Need
Gifted children often display unique thinking patterns, advanced problem-solving skills, or a deep curiosity about the world around them. While each gifted child is different, early recognition can help families support both their intellectual and emotional development. If your child shows signs of giftedness, gifted testing Tampa may provide the clarity and direction you’re looking for.
Common Indicators of Giftedness:
Quick learning and strong memory retention
Intense curiosity and deep questioning
Advanced vocabulary and verbal skills for their age
Emotional sensitivity or heightened empathy
Creative problem-solving and independent thinking
Recognizing these traits early is key to meeting your child’s potential both academically...
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Tampa Therapists Share 5 Ways to Support Your Child’s Mental Health at Home
One of the most effective ways to nurture a child’s mental health is by creating predictable routines. Children thrive on consistency—it helps them feel safe, reduces anxiety, and builds emotional stability. Tampa therapists often emphasize daily structure as the foundation for healthy development.
Try implementing routines like:
Consistent wake-up and bedtime schedules
Daily meals together to check in emotionally
Homework and screen-time boundaries
Scheduled downtime for rest and play
Even simple rituals like reading before bed or talking about the day can create a sense of emotional security and connection.
Listen with Presence: Active Listening Builds Trust
When children feel truly heard, their confidence...
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Back-to-School Season: Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health and Your Own
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Consider the following as it relates to this week’s blog: The alarm buzzed at 6:15 a.m., and our entire family was already dreading the chaos of the morning. Lunches hadn’t been packed, homework still sat unfinished on the kitchen table, and my youngest was tugging at my sleeve, asking what was for breakfast. The first day of school always feels like a marathon that started before the sun even rose and seems to start the year off in a stressful way. The pressure of keeping it all together during the school year leaves us all feeling drained, guilty, and anxious....
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Supporting Your Child’s Mental and Emotional Well-Being Through the Storm
For families living in Florida and other coastal regions, hurricane season isn’t just about preparing your home—it’s also about preparing your heart and mind, especially when you have children.
While adults may understand the science behind storms and feel a sense of control by watching forecasts or creating emergency kits, children experience things very differently. Loud winds, power outages, changing routines, and the unknown can leave them feeling scared, anxious, or confused.
At Rice Psychology Group, our therapists in Tampa often work with children and families around this time of year to help them build emotional resilience and feel safe—even when things...
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Helping Your Teen Grow into a Compassionate, Emotionally-Aware Adult
Raising a teenager can feel like navigating a rollercoaster of emotions—one minute they’re confident and calm, and the next, they’re overwhelmed, frustrated, or withdrawn. As parents, it’s natural to feel unsure about how to support them through these ups and downs. But two of the most valuable skills you can teach your teen—skills that will serve them for life—are empathy and emotional regulation.
At Rice Psychology Group, we work with many families who are looking for ways to help their teens become more emotionally aware, compassionate, and resilient. Here’s what we’ve learned—and what we share with parents—about building these vital emotional...
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Obsession Psychology: What Repetitive Thoughts Mean and When to Seek Help
Everyone experiences unwanted thoughts from time to time, but when those thoughts become frequent, distressing, and difficult to control, they may be signs of something deeper. In obsession psychology, these repetitive thoughts—often irrational or intrusive—are a key focus in understanding conditions like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety-related disorders.
Obsessions are not just random worries—they are persistent, uninvited thoughts that can disrupt daily life and emotional well-being.
Recognize When Intrusive Thoughts Become Clinical
In many cases, obsessive thoughts are linked to anxiety and a need for certainty or control. But how do you know when a thought pattern crosses into clinical territory? Obsession psychology...
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