For most of us, the holidays are a delightful time to share the joys of family life and friendship. But for many elderly adults in particular, the holidays can be highly stressful, confusing and even depressing if their mental, physical and emotional needs are not taken into account. Kurt Kazanowski, MS,…

Gangs, drive-by shootings, drug sales, school shootings... where does it end? Why does it begin?Parents, peers, caring adults, informed children are all part of the tapestry that will reduce and hopefully eliminate children killing children.What can parents do to keep themselves and their children safe? Recognize that any child from any family…

WHAT IS ALCOHOLISM? Alcoholism is a disease. The person who struggles with the disease truly does struggle. It is important to remember that someone who is drinking in excess is not someone who is happy, rather, someone who is in pain? Emotional pain? Excess alcohol is used as a way…

For many parents, the thought of a child of theirs having a drinking problem is a sheer impossibility. These parents and these children are often quite vulnerable to many things including the disease of alcoholism. Because your child is affected by you, the environment you provide at home, and the…

Parenting is perhaps one of the most difficult and joyful roles many will shoulder. Despite all the advice from all the books and experts - parenting remains a multi-faceted journey. Too often when a parent falters along the road - denial and self-blame become familiar signposts. When a parent learns…

QUESTION: What is a state of being in which no matter what you say, do or think, there will be at least one stranger and one friend who will be convinced that you are doing it all wrong?ANSWER: Being a parent. Being a child.No matter your age or circumstance, you…

Perhaps the most important thing to remember about taking your child to a clinician who specializes in working with children is that your child deserves every tool you can make available to him/her. There can be many reasons for your child to be evaluated - and starting with your pediatrician…

Domestic Violence AwarenessThe Economy Made Me Do It?!By Pamela Brewer, MSW, Ph.D., LCSW-C During times of apparent external stress, such as a perceived economic downturn, victims of domestic violence often find themselves at even greater risk.   During these times it is easy for the abused person to talk herself*  into…

We hear a lot about relationships with others and many times we can lose sight of the quality of the relationship we have with ourselves. There are times when the toxicity of our relationships with others is driven by the toxicity of the relationship with have with ourselves. How many…

10 Things To Do Next... Your head may be spinning.  Now you have this new label you didn't have before.  Or perhaps it's your loved one... You may not know what to do, what to think, how to feel... You are not alone... Neither with the diagnosis or with the…