Talking to Children about COVID-19: Reducing Hysteria During a Global Emergency

Talking to Children about COVID-19: Reducing Hysteria During a Global Emergency

“Wash your hands!” My kids hear me say this all the time, but this week these three words have taken on a new meaning. Now washing your hands represents an important protective behavior against the coronavirus pandemic. After getting home from school yesterday, I reminded my children, as per usual, to wash their hands, but this time I stressed,  “for...[ read more ]

Do You Have Everything?

There is a phenomenon that happens when someone experiences doubt. I used to see it all the time when people would drop off their children at school. As the parent is pulling away and feeling the pressure of the building carline behind them, they suddenly experience a pang of doubt that something has been forgotten and they transfer that doubt...[ read more ]

Is Self-Quarantining an Act of Love or Fear?

As a follow-up to the previously published article entitled We’re All In This Together: Facing the Coronavirus Crisis, I am offering additional ideas that have emerged since I wrote the original piece. I have chosen to remain at home, not because I am symptomatic, although I am in a medical and chronological high risk group, as a 61-year-old with asthma...[ read more ]

It’s Probably Time to Switch to Telehealth with Your Therapist

Social distancing is becoming a vital aspect of preventing our healthcare system from being overwhelmed during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis. And on social media, people are edging into the question of whether it’s time to move to online therapy. Online therapy, which goes by the official name telehealth, is when you have a video session with your therapist via your...[ read more ]

Childhood Emotional Neglect and the Coronavirus

Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN) impacts individuals in a wide variety of ways. But in this unprecedented time of social distancing, working remotely, and even quarantine, CEN can exacerbate the responses that so many of us already experience in “normal” times. It’s important for those of us who are having feelings that are more heightened than usual, or which seem disproportionate...[ read more ]

Coping with an Eating Disorder During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Eating disorders build themselves on perceived feelings of control. Yet, as we find ourselves in the midst of unprecedented and uncertain times, with the coronavirus pandemic, how do those with eating disorders manage? As an individual with an eating disorder, I struggle with the Christmas season, mostly as my ‘safe’ foods are suddenly superseded with aisles of turkeys and potatoes...[ read more ]

Podcast: Helping Children Grieve

 When children experience the deep pain of separation or death, it can be extremely healing to learn they are still connected to their loved ones by an invisible string of love. That’s the premise of the children’s book The Invisible String, written by Patrice Karst, today’s guest on the Psych Central podcast. Patrice sits down to talk with Gabe...[ read more ]

Panic Buying: The Psychology of Hoarding Toilet Paper, Beans & Soup

There’s a very good article by Bella DePaulo, Ph.D. Why Are People Hoarding Toilet Paper? that dives into the psychology of this behavior. It’s a good question, because what we’re seeing are American consumers acting in a seemingly irrational manner in reaction to the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Panic buying is what people do when faced with an...[ read more ]

How the Coronavirus Helps Us Understand the Buddhist View of Our Interdependence

For centuries, Buddhism has offered the teaching that’s been called “dependent origination” or “interdependent origination.” This means that nothing exists independently in our world. Everything is interconnected. We exist in a complex web of life that is continually changing. Now, rather than consulting with Buddhist texts written by psychologically-minded masters, we have a lowly virus teaching us about our interdependence....[ read more ]

This Day Can Change Your Life

“One day can change your life. One day can ruin your life. All life is three or four big days that change everything.” – Beverly Donofrio Singular moments are those points in time when everything changes in your life, when the event is indelibly etched into your brain and your life is never the same again. It’s at times like these...[ read more ]