How to Recognize When Your Tween or Teen Needs Mental Health Support

on March 21, 2025 at 9:32 AM /

Adolescence is a time of growth, self-discovery, and change, but it can also be a challenging period for both kids and their families. For many parents, it’s hard to know when a teen or tween needs mental health support. The line between typical teenage moodiness and a deeper mental health issue can often be blurry. However, early intervention can make a significant difference in helping your child thrive. In this blog, our team at Rice Psychology Group explores how to recognize when your tween or teen may need mental health support and how to approach this sensitive issue with care and...

Managing Parental Guilt: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

By Rice Psychology Group

on February 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM /

Parenting is a journey full of highs and lows, joy and frustration, and triumphs and challenges. However, one of the most common and often invisible burdens parents carry is parental guilt. Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, it's easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you're never doing enough. The demands are endless, and the pressure to balance work, family, self-care, and everything in between can be overwhelming. But here's the truth: you're doing better than you think. In this blog, our team of licensed psychologists in Tampa explore parental guilt, why some carry it and...

Understanding Processing Disorders: How They Affect Learning and Daily Life

By Rice Psychology Group

on February 20, 2025 at 4:13 PM /

A processing disorder is a condition that affects the way the brain receives, interprets, and responds to information. It can impact learning, communication, and daily functioning. Unlike general learning disabilities, processing disorders specifically affect how sensory information—such as sounds, sights, and touch—is understood and processed by the brain. They are not related to intelligence but can cause significant struggles in school, work, and social settings. Recognizing the signs early can help individuals, including gifted children, receive the appropriate support and interventions. Types of Processing Disorders Processing disorders can affect different sensory pathways, leading to various challenges. The most common types include: Auditory Processing...

When to See a Child Psychologist in Tampa: Signs Your Child May Need Support

By Rice Psychology Group

on February 20, 2025 at 3:46 PM /

Children experience many emotions and challenges as they grow, but some struggles may require professional intervention. A child psychologist can help address emotional, behavioral, and developmental concerns to ensure your child’s well-being. As a parent, you may wonder whether your child’s behavior is part of normal development or if professional support is needed. Understanding key warning signs can help you make the best decision for their mental health. Signs Your Child May Need a Child Psychologist If your child is experiencing persistent emotional or behavioral struggles, therapy may be beneficial. Some common signs include: Intense anxiety or fears that interfere with daily life. ...

Tampa Therapists Recommend: What You Can do to Successfully Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution!

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on December 22, 2023 at 12:21 PM /

Every January 1st, countless people resolve to accomplish a goal by the end of the year, and many, if not most, fail. In fact, according to a University of Scranton study, only 8% of people achieve their New Year’s goals. It almost seems as if New Year’s resolutions are meant to be broken! Maybe you’ve been there, too? Our team of licensed psychologists and therapists in Tampa would like to offer a few helpful tips. Start with Something Manageable Unreasonable goals go hand-in-hand with New Year’s resolutions. For example, instead of dropping 50 pounds by spring, why not set a more realistic...

Solo Holidays: Tampa Counselors Recommended to Feel Less Alone During This Time of Year

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on December 8, 2023 at 9:00 AM /

As the popular song goes, the holiday season is “the most wonderful time of the year”. Yet, it’s wonderful only if you have people to spend it with. This is a topic our Tampa counselors have heard before. For those who don’t have loved ones, the holidays can be lonely, sad, and depressing. If you’ve been in this position before, then you know how hard it is. This is why our team of licensed psychologists and Tampa counselors want to provide some information to help you survive and, hopefully, feel less lonely during the holidays. Steps to Take If you find yourself alone...

Being Bored: Why Our Tampa Therapists Say it’s a Good Thing for Your Kids

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on December 1, 2023 at 5:52 PM /

Dr. Wendy Rice

Consider the following story from our Tampa Therapists as it relates to this week’s topic. Last Tuesday, my husband and I took our two boys to the doctor’s office for their annual check-up. Now, they’re not undisciplined but they do get bored quite easily and, when that happens, they can both become a handful. In fact, no matter what my husband and I did, the boys just weren’t having it. They kept jumping, running, yelling, and generally throwing a fit. You can imagine how embarrassed and hopeless we both felt as we tried to relax them. I don’t remember ever acting...

The Sweet Side of Halloween: How To Go Through Your Child’s Candy and What To Look For

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on October 15, 2023 at 6:40 PM /

Halloween is considered one of the most fun and creative times of the year. Allowing your little ones to dress up as their favorite monster or video game character is only half of it, though. The other exciting part is going out and trick-or-treating! Parents, while going house to house and grabbing as much candy as possible is a fun and exciting time for your kids, it’s important you are aware of the candy they are receiving and how much of it they are actually eating. Before your kids head out on Halloween night, Rice Psychology Group wants to share...

Halloween Jitters: 5 Tips for Parents to Take the Fright Out of this Fun Holiday

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on October 8, 2023 at 4:32 PM /

If you’re the parent of a young child and are dreading Halloween, then you’re not alone. Many parents fear exposing their young ones to scary things like costumes, masks, movies and such. But breathe a sigh of relief because our licensed mental health counselors and psychologists in Tampa want to offer five tips to make Halloween fun and not scary! Select the Right Costume Get creative with your child’s costume. This is the perfect time to sit down with your child and brainstorm together. If your little one frightens easily, try something fun and more traditional like a: Bedsheet-style ghost Friendly vampire...

Suicide Prevention: Knowing When & Where to Get Help

By Dr. Wendy Rice

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...