Specializing in marriage counseling, couples counseling and family relationship issues.
In The Press
Outreach and public education are part of our guiding values at Family Psychology of South Bend. We make ourselves available to the media on topics of relational and emotional health, carrying on a tradition of our teachers to make psychology and counseling knowledge and wisdom accessible to the public.
All In The Press Posts
The True Costs Of Having A Second Child
My father and mentor in psychology is fond of saying, “Being born into a family is like being born into the middle of Act II in a three act play. That metaphorical context is most apt for the second born child...
The True Costs of Having a Second Child
Protecting your mental health and talking to kids about coronavirus outbreak
View Original ABC 57 News Article SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- As students stay home due the COVID-19 outbreak, they may have questions, or even fears, about it...
WNDU Wellness Wednesday: Maintaining and improving mental health in the New Year
View original WNDU news story "Clinical psychologist Dr. John Petersen with Family Psychology of South Bend joined us to discuss New Years resolutions and maintaining and improving mental health...
Wellness Wednesdays: Eating Disorders
"Clinical psychologist Dr. John Petersen with Family Psychology of South Bend discusses healthy ways to understand and combat eating disorders for this week's Wellness Wednesday...
If You Need to Command Your Family’s Respect, You’ve Already Lost It
This was a very interesting report by local news reviewing a controversy over children exposed to breast feeding and a doll that facilitated children’s play that included nursing their doll...
If You Need to Command Your Family's Respect, You've Already Lost It
Safe Digital Dating
Melissa Stephens put together this very helpful piece on an issue I had not thought about previously...
Web of Betrayal: Warning Signs Of Abusive Relationships
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...
Web of betrayal: Warning signs of abusive relationships
New Years Resolutions
Lindsay Stone is a local gem who consistently puts together engaging stories. I’m always happy to hear from her and learn what she is working on and discuss how I can contribute...
Local psychologist shares tips on meeting New Year's resolutions
Back to school is the perennial Fall topic that is well worth the attention it gets.
Original WNDU news story: Back To School The new school year is the childhood New Year with all the pristine hopes and excitement adults often bring to their January 1 celebrations and resolutions...
Dr. Petersen Interviewed by South Bend Tribune on Gun Violence Threats
South Bend Tribune Court and Public Safety writer Lincoln Wright interviewed law officials, me, and another psychologist about the recent uptick in threats of gun violence in high schools. See the link to the article below...
Violent threats at South Bend area schools surge after Florida shooting
The message "Friday, 2/23 all souls will be cleansed," was written on a bathroom stall at South Bend's John Adams High School Tuesday.