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Virtual learning can exacerbate body image issues for children
Mental health counselor Heather Blackford discusses how children’s body issues can be exacerbated by remote learning. Eating disorders can be triggered by a negative body image and affect children of all ages. Read the story on ABC57
Dr. Petersen interviewed by Dukes about new year
We were happy to contribute to Howard Duke’s South Bend Tribune story about the new year in which we all hope to make significant strides away from COVID’s hold on us. Particularly nice in this story is Duke’s work to get comments from various community leaders and thinkers, such as an anthropologist and a rabbi, […]
How does Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) develop?
We who are generally anxious often have developed a posture of alertness, even vigilance for what might become, or already is, out of control. One thing we cannot fully control is what others think of us, so many of us turn our efforts toward controlling self. If religious, or scrupulous without a religious background, this […]
Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder – GAD
Treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder include: Counseling for self or relationship to help cultivate trust, rest, and safety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder – GAD: Cognitive: Identify basic beliefs and conditioning undergirding the impulse to worry. It’s helpful to explore your personal story to discover beliefs/thoughts related to distress.Thought logs and some techniques […]
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance, finances, relationships, children). The person finds the worry difficult to control. The anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of the following six symptoms (with at least some symptoms present for more days than not for the past 6 months).
Aftershocks of COVID crisis lead to dramatic spike in anxiety, depression in kids
Adolescents showing increased anxiety. Family Psychology was happy to contribute to this local reporting by Lindsay Stone.
Psychology of Supporting Those Without a Home
In clinical psychology we sometimes encounter pernicious problems when common best practices are not getting the job done. Some call them treatment resistant cases. From a cost perspective, it is these relatively rare cases that account for the majority of treatment costs for community mental health centers and hospitals. The most common mistake we clinicians […]
Warning Signs Of Abusive Relationships
View original WNDU story Lindsay Stone came to my office for an interview on camera about abusive relationships. She put together a two-part story on a dramatic love triangle that captured the public’s attention. It was an excellent opportunity to share some important information about patterns of abuse and the very high risk […]
Violent threats at South Bend area schools surge after Florida shooting
Tribune reporter Lincoln Wright came to my office for an interview over my lunch break. I was particularly interested in this story because my children were at Adams High School when these threats were made. During our dinner conversation, my son Daniel described his reaction to his friend who panicked during class and how others […]
Violent threats at South Bend area schools surge after Florida shooting
‘Getting help is the key’: Expert gives advice to parents of kids with concerning behavior
Dr. John Petersen is included in this story about children and concerning behavior.
'Getting help is the key': Expert gives advice to parents of kids with concerning behavior
We've heard stories of kids acting out and becoming problems for their parents, and a recent incident in our area involved an 11-year-old boy allegedly shooting his father. There are resources available if you notice your child has concerning behavior. One of the first steps is accepting the truth. A local child behavior expert says it's important to trust your gut. It's easy to feel guilty for not raising your child correctly, but sending them to get help is worth it before it's too late.