1. Our Child Psychologist Can Help With The Sometimes Bumpy Road to Adulthood

    Childhood can be an amazing, magical time-- at times. But growing up is rarely the perfect movie experience we would all like, especially for our own children. These days there are so many things that a child experiences that they may not have the tools to understand. From divorces, to bullying, there are many bumps on a child's road to adulthood. Beyond Words Psychological Services wants to help …Read More

  2. Understanding How to Use Natural Consequences vs. Logical Consequences vs. Punishment

    There are thousands of parenting books out there, and sometimes it seems like they each coin their own terms just for the sake of being unique and trendy. But do they actually mean anything different from one another? Here is a clear explanation of three common terms associated with discipline: Natural Consequences – Just as the term says, these are consequences that occur naturally in a cause-e…Read More

  3. Family Counseling Can Help Get Your Family Back On Track

    What is a family? There are so many definitions that range from the traditional to not traditional at all. But when it comes to raising your children-- a family is any mix of parent(s) and child(ren) living together and working towards a common goal. Sometimes things don't go as planned and it seems more like a family is separate people bouncing off each other with no goal in mind at all. If your …Read More

  4. Stop Bad Behavior Before It Starts

    The most effective way to stop anything negative is to prevent it from starting in the first place. This is especially true of your child’s behavior. Once poor choices and behaviors become a habit, they are much more difficult to stop, and much more frustrating for you to manage! Follow these tips for “preventative discipline” and teach your child about the rewards associated with good choic…Read More

  5. Why Badmouthing the Other Parent Hurts Your Child

    When you get a divorce, it’s easy to think about all of the mistakes your partner made or the ways her or she may have changed for the worse. And to some extent, your child probably recognizes these problematic areas, as well. However, seeing or knowing that a parent made a poor choice is different than being constantly reminded of it by your other parent. Have you ever wondered about the psycho…Read More

  6. Introducing Stepfamilies the UnBrady Way

    When it comes to stepfamilies, happy-go-lucky Brady’s are hard to come by – the complex nature of blended families typically involves loss, change, confusion, anxiety and distrust – not quite the “bunch” you were hoping for as a new stepfamily! However, there are some ways to make the connection of two families into one a smoother transition. First, only introduce new partners and their …Read More

  7. Helping Your Child Cope with a Difficult Divorce

    Unfortunately, most divorces are not exactly amicable. Affairs, abandonment, substance abuse, incarceration or hostile arguments may characterize the road to your divorce. In those cases, how to you talk to your kids about it in a healthy way? Make sure your needs are met. Be sure that you are staying as healthy and emotionally stable as possible during this stressful time. Eat right, exercise, fi…Read More

  8. Helping Your Child Cope with an Amicable Divorce

    As a parent, how do you tell your child that his or her parents are no longer going to be together? Even if the divorce is a mutual or amicable decision made by you and your partner, it can feel difficult to share this news with your child. Here are 5 guidelines for telling your child about a mutual divorce decision and helping him or her to cope with the changes: Present a united front. Plan out …Read More

  9. Helping Your High Schooler Cope with Loss

    Though a teenager’s understanding of death and grief may be similar to that of an adult, it is important to remember that they are not yet adults. The teen years are often characterized by an internal battle between dependence and independence when it comes to parent-child relationships, and coping with the loss of a loved one is no different. Your teen may be struggling to cope independently in…Read More

  10. Helping Your Middle Schooler Cope with Loss

    Children who are nearing adolescence will have a greater understanding of the concepts associated with death, such as the irreversibility of death and the potential causes. They will also begin to formulate thoughts about how the loss of a loved one will impact their future. The “What if’s” become more apparent at this age. Developmental Understanding Children in the 10- to 12-year-old range…Read More