Gatewell Therapy Center | Miami FL
Evidence-Based Individual, Couples, Family, and Group Counseling + Nutrition Therapy in Miami (Coral Gables)
Participating in sports offers our kids so many benefits: physical activity, teamwork, working toward goals, socialization, fun, and more. Unfortunately, there are some aspects of youth sports that are harmful and detract from the multiple benefits. Here are five observations (as an ex-athlete, a graduate of a master’s program in sport psychology/clinical psychologist, and aContinue reading The Psychology of Youth Sports: What We Continue To Get Wrong
Parenting isn’t always the rosy picture we see portrayed on social media. Most parents struggle sometimes or often, and one of the significant triggers for their distress, especially when their children are young, is meltdowns. Meltdowns, or tantrums, are emotional storms that take their toll on anyone present. And while we can’t really prevent theseContinue reading Coping with Meltdowns: DBT in Action
Does your child engage in repetitive behaviors such as counting, washing, or checking? Do they insist on lining up their shoes or toys? Do they ask you the same questions over and over, seeking reassurance? Do they get stuck in certain patterns of action, distraught when unable to perform the action the “right” amount ofContinue reading Child OCD: An Introduction for Parents
You do it all – manage a home, a job, the children, and more. But now, with the spread of coronavirus and resulting school and activity closures, you’re being asked to do even more. Educate your children while you work from home and simultaneously cope with isolation, uncertainty, and other aspects of a pandemic? Check.Continue reading When Supermom Must Go Above & Beyond
The Mind-Body Connection: Half-Smile and Willing Hands Think of a stressful parenting situation you’ve been in lately. . . riding out a tantrum, getting homework done, confronting your teen about a lie. How were you feeling? What were you thinking? Were you aware of any sensations in your body? We often think about how situationsContinue reading Half-Smile and Willing Hands – Parenting with DBT: A Series on Effective Parenting Strategies
Boundaries. We’re hearing a lot about them lately. But what exactly are they? Boundaries are limits we set with other people in order to protect our relationships – and ourselves. They are guidelines we communicate to others regarding how we want want (and need) to be treated. In fact, a healthy relationship cannot exist withoutContinue reading Boundaries for Beginners: Setting Limits that Preserve Your Relationships and Your Well-Being
Why Youth Sports? As someone who studied sport psychology before moving on to clinical, I learned the many benefits of youth sport participation. When children participate in sports, they mature physically, socially, and emotionally. What I find disturbing is a recent spate of advertising for youth sport touting weight loss as a motivation or primaryContinue reading Youth Sports: 10 Reasons to Participate that Have Nothing to Do with Weight
Are you sure you don’t want some cauliflower? A Bite of broccoli? A carrot drowned in ranch? Anything? Please? If you ask my kids if they eat vegetables, they’ll probably say no. Actually, it’s possible that one kid will tell you about the time he tried a cucumber in Ms. Vivian’s class (1.5 years ago).Continue reading Why I Don’t Make My Kids Eat Vegetables
You’re so sick of saying the same things. “Marco, pick up your socks.” “Vanessa, stop hitting your brother.” “Monique, put down your phone and do your homework.” Sometimes, you sound like a broken record, complaining about the same things your child is or isn’t doing. And the truth is, you just can’t take it anymore.Continue reading Radical Acceptance – Parenting with DBT: A Series on Effective Parenting Strategies
Parenting with DBT: A Skills-Based Approach No one told you parenting could be so challenging. You’re often overwhelmed and anxious, if not angry, sad, or feeling guilty. Raising kids is harder than you ever imagined. Often, it feels like you and your child on opposite teams, fighting for dominance or control. You want the bestContinue reading Parenting with DBT: A Series on Effective Parenting Strategies