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...

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...