Suicide Prevention: Knowing When & Where to Get Help

on September 8, 2023 at 8:03 AM /

By Wendy Rice, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist Believe it or not, suicidal thoughts are frequent visitors to therapy sessions. At Rice Psychology in Tampa, we recognize that these thoughts typically arise when life’s stressors become too overwhelming for a person’s coping abilities. Some clients express thoughts of not wanting to be alive, thinking their family would be better off without them or having no hope for improvement in their life. While some of these statements may be vague, it is our duty to take the necessary steps to keep the person safe. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, suicide is the...

What Are the “Post-Holiday Blues?”

By Dr Ashley Diehl

on December 31, 2020 at 2:55 PM /

Even with the holidays looking different this year, for those like you, there is still a lot on your plate. You’re decorating, buying gifts, cooking, taking photos, and connecting with family - even if it’s through Zoom. After all of this time preparing and connecting, the family departs, decorations come down, and your emotions could shift. Suddenly, you may be feeling lonely or even empty. These feelings can cause our brain to bring up other memories that’ve made us feel this way in the past. When big events (like weddings, graduations, birthdays, and holidays) are finally over and all of the...

Election Blues: What You Can do to Feel Better After November 3rd

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on November 2, 2020 at 6:04 PM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. Election Day is almost here, and even though I voted early, I’m stressed about what’s to come. I’ll be relieved once the negative ads and heated debates finally end, but I’m seriously afraid of my candidate losing. I’ve been losing sleep at night and can’t focus during the day because of all the what-ifs that might happen after Election Day. Instead of feeling relief, I’m expecting that my anxiety is only going to get worse if my candidate loses. How can I get a better handle on my stress after...

How Depression, Anxiety, and Even ADHD Can Lead to Unhealthy Coping Habits

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on October 9, 2020 at 3:00 PM /

This week, I’m sharing my own true story. Here’s part one. When the pandemic hit and people started shopping because they thought it was the end of the world, I was a bit late to the party. I missed the memo about buying toilet paper and ended up ordering mine from Wish.com but found tons of delicious treats in all of the other middle aisles in the supermarket. Suddenly, I was back to my childhood eating habits and had my kitchen stocked with Oreos of all varieties, sugary cereals, cookie dough, cake and brownie mixes, pasta, the list goes on. And...

Fine-Tuning Your Social Skills for Today’s World

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on June 19, 2020 at 2:01 PM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. I moved to Tampa a few months ago for a great new career opportunity. Things have been good for the most part, but my shyness and tendency to feel terribly awkward around people I don’t know well has really been holding me back from getting to know my new coworkers. They seem like great people, but I always back out when they invite me to lunch or to get drinks on Fridays after work. I’m just so scared of saying the wrong thing and having them judge me. I really...

Kids and Suicide: Having a Serious and Frank Conversation About the Topic

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on March 28, 2019 at 9:56 AM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. It just broke my heart to hear in the news that two students who survived the Parkland shooting in 2018 died by suicide related to PTSD. I can’t even imagine the psychological trauma they endured from such a horrible tragedy. I have a son and it worries me sick thinking of something like that happening at his school. I also can’t help but think that there might be other unimaginable things he and kids his age go through that might trigger feelings of suicide. It scares me to death, and...

Teen Suicide: How to Talk About it with Your Child and What to Look Out For

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on May 22, 2017 at 8:13 PM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week's piece. I cannot believe that I am even writing this, but last week I found out that one of my son’s classmates committed suicide. They weren’t particularly close, but I could see that Anthony was very upset about it. After all, he’s only fifteen. Of course, I know that there’s a period of grief after someone’s death, but the idea of talking to my own son to help him process or understand why his classmate might have killed himself is beyond me. It’s such an important and sensitive subject, and I...

Remembering Our Fallen Soldiers

By Rice Psychology Group

on May 21, 2015 at 5:36 AM /

Memorial Day is more than a day of remembrance to honor our fallen soldiers. It is also a day when our entire nation formally becomes a community to serve as witnesses to those who have personally lost their son/daughter, brother/sister, husband/wife, father/mother, and beloved friend....

Why Parents Can’t Be Dumb About Social Media

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on September 10, 2014 at 2:13 PM /

By Wendy Rice, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist Today many in the Tampa Bay area will be remembering Rebecca Sedwick through vigils, classroom and home discussions, and of course, news reports on teens and bullying. One year ago today, Rebecca committed suicide after reportedly being bullied both on and offline for more than a year. These stories seem to be far too common these days and I am often asked how parents can help prevent bullying, especially online. Walking the fine line of respecting your child’s online privacy while looking out for their well-being is a challenge that our parents didn’t exactly have. I always use...

Dealing with Depression

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on August 12, 2014 at 10:00 AM /

Dr. Wendy Rice of Rice Psychology in Tampa was interviewed on Florida Live with Dan Maduri from NewsTalk Florida about depression following the death of Robin Williams. Click Play below to listen to the interview. Dr. Wendy Rice of Rice Psychology in Tampa was interviewed on The Miguel Show with Holly & Mandy about depression following the death of Robin Williams. Click Play below to listen to the interview. ...