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

on October 18, 2022 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...

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

By Dr. Wendy Rice

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...

The Glass is Half-Full: Seeing the Upside to ADHD

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on September 18, 2022 at 9:18 PM /

ADHD

Do you see life through a slightly different lens? I, Dr. Wendy Rice, surely do. I’d like to share a little story with you that some of our ADHD friends may be able to relate to. In an attempt to save my furniture, I recently ordered some new cat toys and scratchers. Then I realized that the oldies were true favorites and just needed some rehabbing. So I found some string and small cat toys that mostly just end up lost and rigged these oldies but goodies back into front-line irresistible entertainment centers! Maybe not exactly how I had planned to spend...

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,...

Helping Your Kids Unplug and Socialize

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on September 7, 2022 at 11:15 AM /

Therapist

Last week, on my way to work, I passed a group of middle school kids on a corner all standing around talking with an older woman in a wheelchair. She might have been one of the kids’ grandmothers, but I’m not sure. It just warmed my heart to see the kids all interacting with each other, smiling and not on their phones. This was in contrast to what I saw a few days later in my neighborhood. There was another group of similar aged kids standing about 15 feet apart from each other, all looking kind of forlorn, in their...

Doing Away with the Back-to-School Blues

By Rice Psychology Group

on August 26, 2022 at 11:40 AM /

Anxiety Disorder

It’s that time of year again, kids and teachers are back to school. It’s not uncommon for children, teens, and young adults to groan and roll their eyes as they get back in the swing of getting up early, doing homework, and having late-night study sessions. Not to mention dealing with new teachers, new classmates, and new experiences. For some students, a new school year can be very exciting. For others not so much, as these new situations can bring about anxiousness and uncertainty. At Rice Psychology Group, our Tampa psychologists want to help you and your children understand and deal...

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,...

Transitioning Together: Talking with Your Children and Teens About Gender Identity

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on July 8, 2022 at 4:48 PM /

Mental Health Awareness

It's a popular topic right now, and rightfully so. Gender identity, specifically in kids and teens, has been at the forefront thanks to the increasing conversation on what it means to be transgender or gender fluid in today's world. At Rice Psychology Group, we've seen an increasing number of children and teens who believe that the gender they were assigned at birth is not the correct one. Many are questioning what gender really means, if they must choose one or the other, and some are certain their “assigned at birth” gender does not match their identity. For most teens, the hardest part...

Learn to Hope and Cope During Trying Times with Our Tampa Psychologists

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on April 5, 2022 at 5:23 PM /

It seems no matter where you turn, another report of a crisis is happening in the world. With the conflict unfolding in Ukraine, the images and videos of this incursion can be incredibly traumatic and frightening. Anyone can become fearful, wondering what is happening in the world and what will happen next. The significance of this crisis can be more overwhelming for people who live with anxiety or depression, especially given the hardships the world has endured together the past few years. Some may believe the only way to combat our feelings of hopelessness is to withdraw or not deal with them. However,...