Social Media, Teens and What it All Means in Numbers

on September 20, 2018 at 11:16 AM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. It might be hard to imagine, but social media as we know it is a relatively new concept. It may have gotten its start over a decade ago, but its role in society wasn’t substantial until only a few years ago. Funnily enough, there is a generation that was born into these social media-driven times. What does this mean to them? And what can we do to better understand them? Our Tampa psychologists and counselors want to share some helpful information about this topic. The Stats [bctt tweet="Social media undoubtedly plays a...

Major Tantrums: How to Help Your Child Remain Calm

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on September 13, 2018 at 12:46 PM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. Last night, Susan and I went to the movies with my sister, Stella, and her 8-year old son, Anthony. I’m not a fan of bringing young kids to evening movies where there are mostly adults in the audience. See, the last thing I wanted to do was ignite an argument with Susan, so I didn’t say anything. As I feared, just as the movie started, Anthony started to fall apart. He began crying loudly about it being too dark and then crawled under the seats, upending our crazy expensive...

Working Together to Create Safer and More Inclusive School Communities in Tampa

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on August 23, 2018 at 12:08 PM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. School just started for both of my kids. One is in middle school and the other is starting high school this year. They typically adjust well and handle both the academic and social ups and downs pretty well. But this year, my husband and I are feeling a bit more nervous than usual. I guess the daily news of cyberbullying, sexting and school shootings each day makes us hope and pray that they come home safely. It terrifies me to my core! What can we do to prevent things like...

Video Games: Understanding Why So Many Kids Turn to Them

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on August 15, 2018 at 1:05 PM /

Dr. Wendy Rice

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. Alex really enjoys his video games. My husband and I usually buy him one as a reward for good grades in school or completing his chores. The great thing about it is that I’ve noticed he isn’t like many kids who spend hours playing while in their room. Whenever it’s time for dinner, he’ll be down promptly. If the yard needs mowing or the trash is full, he’ll take care of it without being asked twice. I have no problems at all with his video game use, just as long...

Back to School: Tips for Helping Your Kids with Their Worries

By Dr Ashley Diehl

on August 9, 2018 at 10:40 AM /

Dr. Ashley Diehl

Summer is coming to an end, meaning that it’s now time to gear up for a new school year! This can often make kids anxious or worried, even if it’s not their first time in school. There are so many unknowns that children can worry about, such as “Who will be in my class?”, “Will I know anyone?” and “Who’ll be my teacher?”. These worries are normal, but there are some basic steps you can take as a parent to reassure your child and get them ready to start the new school year with their head held high. You can start...

Love What You Do, Because Doing Nothing is Not an Option!

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on August 1, 2018 at 10:01 AM /

As an academic counselor, I get to spend my time with students and see them take the next steps toward their futures. As much as I love my job, it’s also extremely draining. Sometimes when I get home, the only thing I do is plop down on the couch and watch shows until I inevitably fall asleep! Well, a couple of weeks ago, I found my old knitting kit while cleaning out my closet and decided to take it for a spin. It was great! It’s obviously a low-effort activity that lets me rest my brain after a long day...

Helping Your Child to Express Their Gratitude in Unique Ways

By Dr Ashley Diehl

on July 11, 2018 at 12:20 PM /

[bctt tweet="Scientific research has identified factors that determine a set point, or level, of happiness. " username="ricepsychology"]These factors can include life circumstances and intentional activity. A person’s set point is considered stable and linked to one’s genetics, temperament and personality. Life circumstances are also considered somewhat stable and include age, gender, personal history, etc. Lastly, intentional activity involves actions and thoughts that a person can engage in on a daily basis, such as exercise, being optimistic and setting goals. While a person’s set point and life circumstances are more stable, intentional activities are something that we can hone in on to...

Fostering Kindness: Instilling a Great Virtue in Your Children

By Dr Ashley Diehl

on June 20, 2018 at 12:42 PM /

Dr. Ashley Diehl

By Ashley Diehl Ph.D, Licensed Psychologist I was working with a family the other day on establishing therapeutic goals for their son. When asking the mother what she would like for her son’s future, she responded, “I just want him to be kind.” I hear this response or something similar with almost every family I work with It’s becoming increasingly difficult to instill kindness and empathy in our children when our culture can be “all about me”, and judgment of others can be blasted on social media without seeing the consequences of what is said. So, how can you instill kindness in...

Technology Addictions: What You Should Know and How to Avoid It

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on June 20, 2018 at 10:49 AM /

Dr. Wendy Rice

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. Katie and I had a pretty bad argument last week and it was completely my fault. She’d just made dinner for us and, even though I know how much she hates this, I spent almost the entirety of my meal on my phone. It’s not that I wasn’t listening to her conversation; I was just trying to catch up with some notifications I had at the same time. Of course, she says I have a problem keeping my eyes away from the screen, and I have to admit that it’s...

Father’s Day: Getting Through it or Making the Most of It

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on June 14, 2018 at 9:57 AM /

A few weeks ago, we discussed Mother’s Day and the difficulties some people experience with it. Now, as the nation prepares to grill some celebratory burgers, go out for a camping trip or try to find the perfect gift for Dad, others are dreading the day. If you have a difficult relationship with your father, you might be scratching your head and wondering how you’ll come out of Father’s Day unscathed. It may get tough, but there are a few steps you can take to either survive Father’s Day or attempt to repair a strained relationship with Dad. Avoiding It This is...