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    Good Life Center for Mental Health

    312 North Ave E, Suite C8 | Cranford, NJ 07016
    info@goodlifecenternj.com | 908-956-7880

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    Webinar: Back To School During COVID-19 : What Parents Need To Know – August 18, 2020 at 7:30pm

    August 15, 2020

    Tuesday, August 18th 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm Join us as we discuss what families can do when creating an effective plan on returning to school in the fall. Listen to Craig Springer, Ph.D., and Susan Ilias, M.Ed., talk about treatment and academic support options for children and adolescents during this time of uncertainty. Our […]

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    Webinar: Back To School During COVID-19 : What Parents Need To Know – August 18, 2020 at 7:30pm

    August 15, 2020

    Tuesday, August 18th
    7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

    Join us as we discuss what families can do when creating an effective plan on returning to school in the fall. Listen to Craig Springer, Ph.D., and Susan Ilias, M.Ed., talk about treatment and academic support options for children and adolescents during this time of uncertainty.

    Our Speakers:

    Dr. Craig Springer is a clinical psychologist who is licensed as a practicing psychologist in New York (016741) and New Jersey (35SI00449700) and credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. He earned his MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University and completed his undergraduate degree summa cum laude at New York University. He is Principal and Managing Partner of the Good Life Center for Mental Health in Cranford, New Jersey. Dr. Springer is The former Director of the Center for Psychological Services, overseeing 10 doctoral training clinics, at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. Also, Dr. Springer was Co-Director of the New Jersey Coordination Center for Child Abuse and Neglect Forensic Evaluation and Treatment. Prior to that, he served as Supervising Psychologist at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, where he developed a model for treating trauma.

    Dr. Springer has extensive experience in developing, conducting, supervising, and researching evidence-based psychotherapeutic programs for children, adolescents and adults. He has given over 50 professional presentations and workshops, published numerous theoretical and empirical manuscripts and he is the coauthor of a book entitled “Game-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Child Sexual Abuse: An Innovative Approach.” Dr. Springer served on the Practice Guidelines Committee of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and was an editorial board member for the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse and reviewer for Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy. Dr. Springer has expertise in the assessment and treatment of trauma, anxiety, mood problems, behavioral difficulties, and interpersonal problems. He is Level 2 certified in TEAM Therapy, has an advanced certificate in perinatal mental health and has received specialized training in mindfulness and trauma-informed treatments.

    Susan Ilias is currently the Director of the Homework Café at Fusion Academy in Morristown. As a member of the leadership team, her work focuses on the social emotional well-being of each student, academic support, and acting as liaison between administration, staff, students, and parents. She attended the Kent Place School before earning a BA in Political Science from Drew University. Susan was then accepted at Columbia University Teacher’s College where she earned a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching. She also holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Kean University. Susan is a New Jersey state certified principal, supervisor, and teacher. Her professional experiences include classroom teaching in grades K-12 in New York Public Schools, Boston Public Schools, and New Jersey, post-graduate coaching and teaching for Harvard University Graduate School of Education, curriculum writing and development, and professional development. Personally, she lives in Morristown with her husband and three children ages 17, 13, and 9 – they are diverse personalities and learners.

    Register at:
    https://www.fusionacademy.com/morristown/event/back-to-school-during-covid-19-what-parents-need-to-know/

    Filed Under: Anxiety, Parenting, School & Academics, Teens/Children Tagged With: Adolescent, anxiety, Back-to-school, children's, covid-19, mental health

    2020 Virtual Back to School Summit – 9/1-9/4

    August 10, 2020

    We would like to invite you to the 2020 Back to School Summit hosted by Rachael G of the Experienced Graduate! From September 1 – 4,  Drs. Liz Matheis and Craig Springer are joining over 20 educators who are going to share all they know about helping your child, teen, or student learn and improve […]

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    2020 Virtual Back to School Summit – 9/1-9/4

    August 10, 2020
    2020 Back to School Summit

    2020 Back to School Summit

    We would like to invite you to the 2020 Back to School Summit hosted by Rachael G of the Experienced Graduate!

    From September 1 – 4,  Drs. Liz Matheis and Craig Springer are joining over 20 educators who are going to share all they know about helping your child, teen, or student learn and improve their academics and grades. We’re going to be talking everything from homework routines, schooling during a pandemic, battles to improving their study skills and more!

    This event is featuring experienced teachers, tutors, school counselors, Doctors, parenting experts, academic advisors, and other expert educators.

    But here’s the thing…

    You have to be registered for the summit to watch the expert interviews! Click the button below to register now and get on the list so you can receive all the links you need to watch the interviews!

    https://gumroad.com/a/436827251

    Enjoy!

    Filed Under: Parenting, School & Academics, Self-Esteem, Teens/Children

    What is Conscious Parenting?

    February 19, 2020

    How many parents have said at one point or another, “I wish my child would have come with a users’ manual,”? Nearly every single one. Nothing can really prepare us for parenthood. No class, no advice, and no user manual can give us the tools we require for raising happy and healthy kids. The truth […]

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    What is Conscious Parenting?

    February 19, 2020

    How many parents have said at one point or another, “I wish my child would have come with a users’ manual,”? Nearly every single one.

    Nothing can really prepare us for parenthood. No class, no advice, and no user manual can give us the tools we require for raising happy and healthy kids. The truth is, to be good parents requires us to be conscious parents.

    Mindfulness – It’s Not Just for Meditation

    Your 8-year-old runs in from the backyard, excited to tell you about the frog he just found in a puddle. Before you even recognize his joy and desire to share that joy with you, you yell because of the mud he just tracked into the house.

    Was this reaction really warranted? Were you reacting just to the mud on the floor (which can be cleaned), or do you have a need to control everything in your environment at all times? And does this need stem from your own childhood wounds?

    Often parents react to their children subconsciously. That is, they have a knee-jerk reaction to something their child says or does. This reaction may stem from an event that occurred in their own childhood and, without realizing it, they are having a profound reaction to it instead of to their child’s current behavior. Conscious parenting requires mindfulness, and mindfulness requires a parent to be fully present in the moment. Bringing our full awareness into the ‘now’ can help us recognize the meaning and truth in each moment and make better, healthier decisions.

    Mindful parents are less likely to have automatic, unexamined reactions to their children’s behavior. Staying present also means parents are less likely to “pop back” into their own childhood traumas and wounds.

    Getting Started with Conscious Parenting

    Conscious parenting is easier than it sounds. To start, you’ve got to slow down so you recognize when you are reacting to a present moment authentically and when you are reacting to your own past moment.

    And speaking of slowing down, try and take a three-second pause before reacting to anything your kid does. This small space will allow you to check yourself. Does the reaction you were about to have match the actual situation? If not, what WERE you reacting to?

    And finally, forgive yourself for any past parenting errors. We all do the best we can do. As Maya Angelou once said, “When you know better, you do better.”

    Speaking with a therapist may help you discover old wounds and programming you are parenting from. If you’d like to explore treatment options, please be in touch. We would be very happy to discuss how we may be able to help.

    Source: Brighter Vision

    Filed Under: Parenting

    A Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression and Suicide

    A Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression and Suicide

    September 5, 2019

    The statistics on teen suicide are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year, an average of 8% of American teens will attempt suicide. This makes suicide the second leading cause of death for kids aged 10 to 24. In fact, it is believed that more teenagers die from suicide than from cancer, pneumonia, birth […]

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    A Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression and Suicide

    September 5, 2019
    A Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression and Suicide

    The statistics on teen suicide are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year, an average of 8% of American teens will attempt suicide. This makes suicide the second leading cause of death for kids aged 10 to 24. In fact, it is believed that more teenagers die from suicide than from cancer, pneumonia, birth defects, AIDS, influenza and heart disease combined.

    Studies have found that teens who have presented with a mood disorder or who abuse drugs are at the greatest risk of attempting suicide. While research suggests girls attempt suicide more often, boys more often die from it.

    Unfortunately, there is still much stigma surrounding depression and suicide, and so often these kids keep their emotional pain to themselves.

    What can parents of teenagers do to keep their children safe and healthy?

    Speak with Your Kid

    Many parents believe that trying to speak with their kids about their moods and feelings will only push them farther away. This is a dangerous misconception. In reality, teenagers need to know they are safe, loved and cared for.

    You may want to begin your conversation by asking general questions about what’s going on in their life. When the time feels right, you can ask if they have ever had thoughts of self-harm. If their answer alarms you, ask specifically if they are planning on or intending to harm themselves.

    Validate Their Feelings

    Once you’ve begun this sensitive dialogue with your teen, it’s important to actively listen and validate their feelings. Your kid must really believe you are a) hearing what they’re telling you and b) recognizing the importance of it. Try and listen without judgement. This will help your child relax and open up, thereby giving you an opportunity to learn even more about their inner emotional life.

    Clarify the Situation

    If your teen confides they are having thoughts of suicide, it’s incredibly important that you remain calm and ask questions that will help you clarify the situation. You will want to determine if they are mentioning suicide because they:

    • Want to tell you just how bad they are feeling.
    • Alert you to something they need but are not getting.
    • Need to vocalize their desire to stop feeling so many emotions.
    • Have actually planned how and when they will take their life.

    Seek Professional Guidance

    Any talk of suicide is a serious matter and requires professional guidance by a trained therapist. It’s important not to force your teen into any treatment plan, but instead, allow them to help direct the course of their plan. Some of their depression might stem from an overall lack of control they feel they have in their own life, so it’s important you let them have a voice in the direction of treatment. You may also find that you will want to speak with someone through this difficult time.

    If you or a loved one is seeking treatment options for a troubled teen, please be in touch. I would be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help your family.

    Filed Under: Depression, Parenting

    How to Help Your Young Child Get Ready for the School Year After Summer Break

    How to Help Your Young Child Get Ready for the School Year After Summer Break

    August 14, 2019

    It’s that time of year again when big yellow buses can be seen driving around the neighborhood and school bells begin ringing. Going back to school can definitely be an exciting time for parents and children. But for some kids, especially younger ones, going back to school after a summer break can feel overwhelming and […]

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    How to Help Your Young Child Get Ready for the School Year After Summer Break

    August 14, 2019
    How to Help Your Young Child Get Ready for the School Year After Summer Break

    It’s that time of year again when big yellow buses can be seen driving around the neighborhood and school bells begin ringing. Going back to school can definitely be an exciting time for parents and children.

    But for some kids, especially younger ones, going back to school after a summer break can feel overwhelming and scary. While this can be fairly common, there are some things parents can do to help their child prepare for the new school year ahead:

    Check Your own Emotions

    Parents of young children may also find it a bit sad to send their child off to the first day of kindergarten or first grade. Your child will pick up on your emotions so be sure to put on a good face and show them good energy.

    Shop and Talk

    Young children that are very nervous about starting school may not want to talk about it. It’s a good idea to take your child shopping for their school supplies and clothes and use this time to try and discuss their feelings about things. Having an activity to do can often help a child express themselves better. Also, while you want your child to be able to express their fears and worries, try and steer the conversation towards things they may be looking forward to as well. Encourage them to recognize that although change is scary, it can also be really great and fun!

    Practice

    Summer was most likely filled with days and nights that did not fit a tight schedule. Your child may have been able to stay up longer and sleep in later. It will be a shock for them to suddenly have to go to bed early and get up to an alarm clock. Practice getting back into the proper sleep routine before the first week of school.

    Connect with Future Classmates

    If your child will not know anyone in their class, try to see if you can have a playdate before the school year begins so they can meet some new friends. This will make it much easier come that first day of school when they see a friendly and familiar face or two.

    Get Guidance

    If you feel the stress of starting a new school year is overwhelming and your youngster and you are having a hard time handling things on your own, seek expert advice from a mental health professional who can help both of you cope.

    If you’d like some help with your child’s anxiety, please be in touch. At the Good Life Center for Mental Health, we would be more than happy to discuss treatment options.

    SOURCES

    https://blogs.psychcentral.com/therapy-soup/2018/08/get-ready-for-back-to-school-useful-advice-from-around-the-web/

    https://psychcentral.com/news/2006/08/07/control-back-to-school-anxiety/160.html

    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-race-good-health/201308/helping-your-child-transition-school

    Blog Source: Brighter Vision

    Filed Under: Parenting, School & Academics

    How to Practice Self-Care as a New Mother

    How to Practice Self-Care as a New Mother

    May 12, 2019

    While there are many surprises and challenges that await you in motherhood, one of the biggest shocks may be time management, or the feeling of being overwhelmed. No matter how happy and fulfilled you may be as a new mom, if you don’t take time out of your busy day to take care of yourself, […]

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    How to Practice Self-Care as a New Mother

    May 12, 2019
    How to Practice Self-Care as a New Mother

    While there are many surprises and challenges that await you in motherhood, one of the biggest shocks may be time management, or the feeling of being overwhelmed. No matter how happy and fulfilled you may be as a new mom, if you don’t take time out of your busy day to take care of yourself, you’re not giving your precious baby your best self. Ensuring that you practice self-care might seem like the lowest of your priorities, but being rested and cared for yourself is an essential part of being a mom.

    While it will be challenging, it’s not impossible to make sure you take care of you. Below are some pointers that can help.

    Get Your Sleep

    While sleeping for a solid chunk of time may be a pipe dream for some, sleeping when your baby sleeps will allow you to get that much needed rest. If you’re worried that you won’t wake to baby’s cries, keep a baby monitor on your nightstand or bring the crib into your bedroom. Ignore the temptation to do chores while your baby sleeps, because it’s vital that you get your rest.

    Stay Well Dressed

    While it’s tempting to wear your maternity clothes out of convenience and to save money, it will help you feel your best to have comfortable clothes that fit. Get a couple of outfits in your size to wear until you get back to your pre-baby weight.

    Make Time to Shower

    If you neglect the simple routine of taking a shower, it will take a toll on your mental health. To make sure you shower regularly, try taking a shower when someone is home. You can also bring your baby in the bathroom with you, or take a quick shower while the baby is napping.

    Accept Help

    Regardless if you’re single or have a partner, trying to go it alone in caring for your baby is a big mistake. You may hate to ask for or accept help, but raising a baby is a lot of work. By recruiting help, you can make sure you have enough time to not only take care of the baby, but to take care of yourself. To try and do it all yourself does nothing but put unrealistic expectations on you, giving you feelings of guilt when you’re unable to accomplish the impossible. It’s important to ask for and accept help.

    Make sure your partner is making an equal effort when it comes to baby’s care, and enlist the help of family and friends. If you have a friend that loves to cook, see if they’ll cook you an occasional meal. You might also ask for help with laundry, running errands, or babysitting (even if it’s just half an hour so you can take a long hot shower.)

    Are you a new mom looking for parenting support and guidance? A licensed professional therapist can help. Call the Good Life Center for Mental Health at your earliest convenience, and let’s schedule an appointment to talk.

    Source: Brighter Vision

    Filed Under: New Mother, Parenting

    Good Life Center for Mental Health logo | Therapy for Adults, Children, Adolescents | Cranford, NJ

    312 North Ave E, Suite C8
    Cranford, NJ 07016

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    New Clients can contact us at info@goodlifecenternj.com for more information or to schedule a free 15 minute consultation.


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