Why Some Kids Love Being Scared and Others Don’t (And How Parents Can Help at Halloween)

on October 28, 2026 at 9:31 AM /

Behavior

I have been walking around my neighborhood and cannot believe some of the decorations I am seeing. Two doors down there’s something that looks like a cross between a werewolf and Chewbacca that looks to be about 12 feet high and lights up. In the other direction there’s an eyeball about three times the size of a yoga ball, skeletons, Ghosts with light up eyeballs and a whole host of other lifelike decorations including spiders and skulls and bats. Now my dogs are a bit taken aback with some of them and I can’t help but put myself in the shoes...

What If ADHD Isn’t Really About Attention? Understanding the Connection Between Motivation, Focus, and the Brain

By Rice Psychology Group

on October 14, 2026 at 9:46 AM /

ADHD
Blog

Have you ever wondered how someone with ADHD can spend hours completely absorbed in something they love but struggle to complete a seemingly simple task? Maybe it's a child who can play video games for hours but can't seem to finish 15 minutes of homework. Or an adult who can become deeply focused on a creative project but struggles to respond to emails, fold laundry, or schedule an appointment. From the outside, these behaviors can seem confusing. If someone can concentrate so intensely on one activity, why can't they direct that same attention toward something else? For years, ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, has...

Why Does My Teen With ADHD Procrastinate?

By Rice Psychology Group

on September 30, 2026 at 2:10 PM /

ADHD

You ask your teen to start their homework. An hour later, they are still sitting on the couch, scrolling on their phone or doing almost anything except the assignment. It can be easy to assume they simply do not want to do the work, but ADHD can make getting started genuinely difficult. At Rice Psychology Group, our Tampa psychologists help teens and families understand how executive functioning challenges can affect organization, time management, and task initiation. Recognizing what may be happening can help families replace frustration with strategies that make getting started feel more manageable. Why ADHD Procrastination Isn't Always About “Laziness” Teens...

ADHD and Teen Independence: Helping Your Teen Build Everyday Skills

By Rice Psychology Group

on September 22, 2026 at 1:55 PM /

ADHD

The teenage years naturally bring greater independence. Teens begin managing school responsibilities, social plans, activities, chores, and increasingly complicated schedules. For a teen with ADHD, however, taking on more responsibility can also expose challenges with organization, memory, planning, and time management. At Rice Psychology Group, our Tampa psychologists help teens and families understand how ADHD can affect everyday responsibilities and develop practical strategies for building greater independence. The goal isn’t to remove support overnight. Instead, parents can gradually shift responsibility to their teen while helping them develop systems they can eventually manage on their own. Recognize Where Independence Becomes Difficult A teen can...

Are We Raising “Broken” Kids? A Mental Health Perspective on Modern Parenting

By Rice Psychology Group

on August 28, 2026 at 9:26 AM /

Parenting

You've probably heard the phrase before: "Kids today just aren't as resilient as they used to be." Or perhaps: "Modern parenting is creating a generation of broken kids." These statements often spark passionate debates. Some blame technology. Others point to overprotective parenting, social media, academic pressure, or a lack of discipline. But at Rice Psychology Group, we know the answer isn't nearly that simple. Children today are not "broken." At the same time, many families are facing challenges that previous generations didn't experience in quite the same way. Rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and emotional distress among children and adolescents have increased over the past...

The End of Summer: Preparing Your Child and Yourself for a Healthy Back-to-School Transition

By Rice Psychology Group

on August 28, 2026 at 9:20 AM /

life transitions

The last few weeks of summer often bring mixed emotions. There may be excitement about new teachers, fresh school supplies, and reconnecting with friends. But alongside that excitement, many children and parents experience worry, sadness, stress, or uncertainty. For some families, the transition feels seamless. For others, it can bring bedtime battles, morning meltdowns, increased anxiety, or questions like, "What if I don't like my teacher?" or "Will I have anyone to sit with at lunch?" Adjusting to a new school year is a significant life transition. Like any transition, it comes with emotional ups and downs. Why Back-to-School Can Feel So Stressful Summer often allows for greater...

Why Do I Feel Anxious Even When Everything Is Going Well?

By Rice Psychology Group

on August 20, 2026 at 3:32 PM /

Nothing is obviously wrong. Work may be going well. Your relationships seem stable. There is no immediate crisis demanding your attention. And yet, you cannot seem to relax. Maybe your mind keeps searching for the next problem. You lie in bed thinking about everything you need to accomplish tomorrow. You reread messages because you are worried you said the wrong thing. Or perhaps you simply carry a feeling that something bad is about to happen, even though you cannot explain why. That experience can be confusing. When life looks okay from the outside, you may even start criticizing yourself for feeling anxious in the...

Is It Just Screen Time? What One Family’s Evening Can Teach Us About Children’s Mental Health

By Rice Psychology Group

on July 27, 2026 at 10:11 AM /

Mental Health Awareness

“I don’t know what’s happened to him.” Melissa looked exhausted. “My son used to come home from school and head outside. Now he goes straight to his room. If I ask him to put his phone away, it’s like I’ve ruined his life. Homework takes forever because he’s constantly checking messages. He isn’t sleeping well. He’s more anxious than he used to be. And honestly…” she paused, “…our family doesn’t really talk anymore.” If you’re a parent, that story may sound familiar. Over the past decade, we’ve heard increasing concerns about children and adolescents spending more time on screens. Now, a new Advisory from...

How Therapy Can Help You Navigate Major Life Transitions

By Rice Psychology Group

on July 20, 2026 at 2:51 PM /

Change is a natural part of life, but that doesn't mean it always feels easy. Some transitions are planned and exciting, while others arrive unexpectedly and leave us feeling uncertain. Starting a new job, moving to a new city, becoming a parent, graduating, retiring, or experiencing the end of a relationship can all bring emotional challenges alongside new opportunities. Even positive life changes can create unexpected stress. It's common to feel excited about a new beginning while simultaneously grieving what you've left behind. During these moments, therapy in Tampa, FL can provide a supportive space to process change, better understand your...

The Mental Health Cost of Perfectionism

By Rice Psychology Group

on June 12, 2026 at 9:18 AM /

Mental Health Awareness

She rereads the email three times before sending it. It is clear. It is thoughtful. It answers the question. But still, her finger hovers over “send” as her mind races: What if I missed something? What if they think I’m not prepared? What if this isn’t good enough? Across town, a teen sits at the kitchen table staring at a nearly finished essay, unable to turn it in because one paragraph “doesn’t sound right.” And down the street, a parent stays up late rechecking the school portal, the calendar, the lunch forms, the permission slips — trying to make sure nothing slips through...