As homeschooling seems to stretch endlessly for many families, certainly school districts try to provide guidance and curriculum. These are some tips offered by my offices to ease the course. And even make it enjoyable. Establish structure The success of homeschooling depends on your willingness to commit to a structure and a schedule and your…
Covid-19 CrisisBlog
On pandemic and homeschooling
Several of my local school systems as well as private schools in my work in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC have made it known that they are going to have a very limited schedule or no in vivo teaching this fall. I work with many parents and educators. It’s been an incredibly difficult process, since…
Covid-19 CrisisparentingMental Health and John Lewis
In 2014, APA President Dr. Nadine Kaslow, presented Rep. John Lewis with a presidential citation honoring the congressman as a truly effective champion of the application of psychology to promote human rights, health, well-being and dignity. He epitomized the American Psychological Association’s values to strive for social justice, diversity and inclusion, from his early days…
Newsrace and mental healthReopening: Community Mental Health Clinic
Dear Friends: This week, I reopened the community mental health clinic I’ve been running for over 18 years, started by my previous beloved mentor, Dr. Neil Schiff. We have been closed since March for safety reasons. I am indebted to the community in Washington DC and Maryland for giving me the trust that they have…
Covid-19 CrisisdepressionNewsDepression and Suicide Awareness
A few years ago, the gifted Vermont artist Stephen Huneck, who suffered from chronic pain, died by suicide. He was soon thereafter followed by his wife, Gwen. He ran a beautiful chapel near the Canadian border in Vermont, called Dog Mountain, in honor of dogs and love. His artwork graces my office. In 2015, my…
depressionsuicide awarenessRacism and Mental Health
I was recently interviewed for a mental health blog by a psychiatrist/professor/writer from Georgetown on the topic of Racism and Mental Health. Here’s our conversation: How did you get interested in racism and mental health? When I was growing up, my father was head of the English department at a historically black college. One of…
race and mental healthOn the Power of the Self-Hug
Hugs are good medicine. During times of stress, they provide an immediate release and relief. Yet in the time of social distancing and pandemic, we may have much LESS access to touch, even when we might need it the most. Hugs boost oxytocin levels. Elevated oxytocin levels lead to lessening of feelings of anger, loneliness,…
anxietystrategies for self-care6 Big Takeaways Regarding the Restaurant and Bar Industry
This morning I had the pleasure of meeting with government officials from the DC Department of Health and the DC Council. We discussed anxiety and coping strategies for the many service Industry employees heading back to work. Also included were local restaurant leadership/owners, business leaders, and legal experts. It was very informative, and more info…
Covid-19 CrisisdepressionHospitality Industrystrategies for self-careTen strategies to cope with anxiety about COVID-19
In my upcoming book, Fight/Flight/Flow, I discuss the importance of anxiety. Anxiety is a natural human reaction that involves mind and body. It serves an important basic survival function: Anxiety is an alarm system that is activated whenever a person perceives danger or threat. Anxiety is both in the mind, or cognitive; and in the…
Covid-19 Crisis