Weathering the Storm: How You Can Ease Your Storm-Related Anxiety

on September 30, 2022 at 12:00 PM /

As we recently watched Hurricane Ian make landfall in Florida, these storms not only impact our homes, and our safety, but can negatively impact our mental health. Anxiety and overwhelming fear about what is happening, especially if you have experienced weather-emergencies before, is common. If you struggle with anxiety or depression brought on by past events or can’t seem to calm your nerves every time storm season rolls through, then you aren’t alone. Our licensed Tampa psychologists and therapists are here to help by providing some clarity on how to maintain good mental health during hurricane season. Be Prepared Unlike our friends on...

9/11: Managing Your Emotions

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on September 9, 2022 at 1:28 PM /

Most of us remember exactly where we were on September 11th, 2001. To many, it seems like yesterday when we were learning about those devastating attacks and now it’s odd to even think that there are adults who weren't even born yet. This weekend will mark the 21st anniversary of this tragic event, and the mental health effects for those who were there and even for those of us who were watching it on the news, continues to linger on. Mentally letting go of the fear, anxiety, and depression caused by such an event isn’t easy. Fortunately, it can be managed,...

Monitor Your Mood: Staying Positive in a Not So Positive World

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on August 17, 2022 at 10:00 PM /

2020 was a hard year. So was 2021. Unfortunately, on some days it seems 2022 is continuing this unwanted trend. It’s as if you can’t turn on the news without hearing about a new health crisis, act of violence or the downward spiral of our economy. Turning to social media to take your mind off things isn’t much help either. While it can be nice to watch a funny video or look at pictures from your friend’s summer vacation, the negative stories are there too. Not to mention the constant bickering and horrible comments that seem to be the norm...

Buyer Beware! The Downfall of Online Therapy!

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on July 21, 2022 at 9:41 AM /

We've all heard the saying, "if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is." And if you've been paying attention to the news recently, you've likely heard that this seems to be the case for many online therapy companies. You might say the cracks in the online therapy community are showing. Cerebral recently laid off hundreds of staff members and lost insurance contracts after an FDA investigation discovered several cases of overprescribing stimulants. The senate is also reviewing agencies such as Talkspace and BetterHelp for violating privacy rights and mining client data for third-party companies. It’s coming to light,...

With a New Year Comes a New Diet and Mindset!

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on January 7, 2022 at 9:00 AM /

Today’s story is personal since it’s mine. Please consider it as it relates to this week’s topic. I’ve struggled with my weight since high school and have gone up, down, and practically sideways on the scale over the years. Breaking my leg in 2005 was a huge setback, and the effects of the weight gained that year have lingered. I’ve heard many people with poor diets and lack of exercise complain of feeling sluggish, both mentally and physically. Like many, there have been days when I’ve had particular trouble focusing and lacked the motivation to get off the couch. After speaking with...

Does My Child Have Dyslexia: Understanding the Disorder

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on December 13, 2021 at 3:33 PM /

My child has always been bright and kept up with her schoolwork during her first few years of education. However, I noticed she was becoming frustrated while reading, and now she is having difficulty in her fourth-grade class. I asked her what was wrong, and she told me she did not understand some of her school work. So I sat down to help her and realized she could barely read the material. She struggled to identify simple words, and her notes were incredibly unorganized. As a result, she is distraught, and her confidence has fallen. Does my child have dyslexia?...

What Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is and How it Works

By Dr. Jordan Barnada

on September 6, 2021 at 9:01 PM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. Mary gets the fifth call this week from her child’s preschool about her son hitting other kids, not listening to instructions, and generally being disruptive. She picks him up, tries to talk to him about what happened, and all he does is scream “No!” at her until she gives up. At the grocery store, her son continues to scream as he sits in the cart. Mary gets judgmental looks from other shoppers and does her best to ignore them but feels completely embarrassed. Finally, she hands her son her phone...

A Summer in Review: Catching Up with Rice Psychology Group

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on August 20, 2021 at 3:32 PM /

Summer break is over, and we at Rice Psychology Group hope you and your loved ones had a fantastic couple of months. We know for many, summertime consists of family trips, fun in the sun, and late nights in the backyard or the beach. But, while summer fun is exciting, it can also pull you away from your daily routine and cause you to miss out on some things you may regularly keep up with – like our newsletter and super helpful blogs! If that’s the case, don’t worry! We’ve put together a summertime review of our most essential blogs and...

Are the Benefits of Commercialized Online Therapy Too Good to be True?

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on July 16, 2021 at 12:58 PM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. When the pandemic hit, it seemed like online therapy companies were popping up left and right. I was already seeing a therapist for some time, and when the world went digital, I was nervous I’d no longer be able to meet with her. Luckily, she offered her services via Telehealth. One day, after being bombarded by Facebook ads for a ton of online therapy companies, I decided to give it a try and see what it was all about. Here’s what I experienced: The therapist I was matched with seemed...

The Illusion of Control in the Year of COVID-19

By Dr. Anna Schrack

on June 7, 2021 at 10:27 AM /

June 2021 looks vastly different from June 2020, in the United States at least. We went from the uncertainty of what COVID-19 would bring, the difficulty of facing social distancing, and scrambling to find or make masks to having hope that we are finally getting a handle on this whole “COVID thing.” Many states are lifting restrictions on masks and social distancing, and more and more people are getting vaccinated every day. So, why are some people struggling with more intense fear and uncertainty? There is hope and our nation is recovering, yet here we struggle. Giving Up What Made Us Feel...