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Do You Support Your Teen’s Dreams?

May 25, 2017 by Santa Monica Teen Therapist

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A Note From The Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

It can be really frustrating when your parents have expectations that do not fit your dreams and plans. – Sandra

“My parents support me in school and things they value. I dream of being a singer/songwriter. How can I get them to support me in my dreams?“

In an attempt to protect their children from disappointment, parents often try steer them towards careers they are more familiar and comfortable with. It sounds like your parents have some strong ideas about what it means to be and actor or singer. It might be helpful to sit down with them and ask about their concerns.

As you know, the entertainment industry is highly competitive. The hours that are required to be successful in that profession can can take away time from school, friendships and other social activities. Your parents may be concerned that you will miss out on the experience of adolescence by focusing on being in the entertainment industry. If you are respectful in listening to them, you may find that they may be more open to hearing your request for acting lessons.

Expressing your interests in a mature manner will probably go further than sulking or storming around the house. See if there is a middle ground that you and your parents can agree on. For example, perhaps they would be open to your taking an acting class as long as you to maintain a certain GPA, and/or participate in an activity of their choosing.

In my experience, joining the singing and theatre groups at school is a good way to prove that you are serious about your passion for performing. As time goes by, your parents may discover that you have the talent and commitment to go the distance with your acting/singing career.

In the meantime, there is value in your participating in a variety of experiences and meeting different types of people, as the information could ultimately come in handy in any acting role that you might someday be asked to play.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

  • Free Initial Consultation >
  • Effective Parenting Classes >
  • Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
  • Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
  • Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

verified by Psychology Today

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

Filed Under: Parent Advice & Support Articles Tagged With: Find a Family Therapist, FREE Parent Consultations, Parent Coaching, Parenting Classes, Santa Monica Family Therapy and Counseling, Teen and Adolescent Therapist and Counselor, Teen Support Groups

Keeping Your Teenager Safe

May 25, 2017 by Santa Monica Teen Therapist

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A Note From The Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

Instead of staying in their immediate neighborhood, teens often go to nearby cities to meet up with their friends. – Sandra

Parents may think they know where their teen is, but this is not always the case. Telling a parent that they are spending the night at one friend’s, they get another parent to drive them across town to a party, working out their ride home however they can.

It is important to know who your teen’s friends are. Also get to know who their friend’s parents are, that you might have a sense of the type of values they uphold in their homes. It is a wise parent who gets contact information for any sleep-overs or parties, including the address, phone number and the name of the adult in charge of the event. It is also responsible behavior to call and introduce yourself, verify the details, and get a feel for who that other parent is.

In your home, there may be strict curfews, as well as restrictions around alcohol and other mind-altering substances. But in other homes, parents sometimes turn a blind eye to their teen’s entertainment activities, including drinking, and unsupervised access to bedrooms. The boundaries you set for your teen shows your caring. Do not cave in under pressure when presented with the claim that “all the other parents let their kids …”

I assure you that there are plenty of parents who still expect their teens to earn their trust.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

  • Free Initial Consultation >
  • Effective Parenting Classes >
  • Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
  • Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
  • Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

verified by Psychology Today

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

Filed Under: Parent Advice & Support Articles Tagged With: Find a Family Therapist, FREE Parent Consultations, Parent Coaching, Parenting Classes, Santa Monica Family Therapy and Counseling, Teen and Adolescent Therapist and Counselor, Teen Support Groups

Surviving The Teen Years

May 15, 2017 by Santa Monica Teen Therapist

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A Note From The Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

Here are some practical steps to help you and your adolescent have a better relationship. – Sandra

Start by creating an “open door” policy with your teen where they can come to you with any questions. Don’t be afraid to address topics with your teen such as drugs, alcohol, and sexuality. Stay informed on who your teenager’s friends are, as well as your child’s interests and hobbies. Ask your teen questions, but also understand that ultimately, sharing is their choice.

To help your teenager learn to take responsibility for their own actions, you’re going to need to grant them some privacy. In a perfect world, their phone calls and room would be off limits to snooping. However, if you suspect something serious is going on with your child, like substance abuse or other illegal activity, it is your responsibility is to keep your teen safe.

As teens mature, they begin forming opinions and strive to become independent. Parents of teens can find it frustrating when their teen suddenly begins asserting themselves. The key is to listen intently to your teen’s feelings, trying to understand their experience. It is important to allow space to develop their own opinions, even if it differs from yours.

With all the emotional changes taking place with adolescence sometimes your teen may feel depressed, lonely, or upset. Remember, you do not need to fix their feelings or tell them that they should not feel that way. Give your teen permission to feel exactly what they are feeling and work through your discomfort about their feelings with a trusted partner, friend, or therapist.

If your teen wants to color their hair pink, paint their fingernails green, or wear a unique combination of clothing choices, think twice before you say no. Teenagers need to assert themselves, and it’s far better to allow them do things temporary and harmless. Save your objections for things like substance abuse, character values, and safety.

Even though they may not show it, teens want and need the approval of their parents, despite acting frustrated with their parent’s rules. They actually understand and appreciate that their parents care enough about them to expect certain things such as good grades, acceptable behavior, and adherence to family’s values. Reward their good efforts by consistently noticing and acknowledging the things you think they are doing well.

Finally, a unified parental front is crucial during the teenage years. Decide as a team what your expectations are and then stick to them. If you tell your teen they’re grounded for the weekend, and then forget to follow through the next day, you are teaching them to not take you seriously.
Consequences and Punishment are not the same thing. Consequences are not about yelling or getting angry with your teen. Consequences are simply the act of imposing a restriction or requiring a task for a period of time.

Warning Signs to on the lookout for:

  • Sudden change in eating patterns
  • Isolation from peers and family
  • Brushes with the law
  • Sudden change in grades
  • Joking/talking about suicide
  • Regular disobedience at home and/or with teachers
  • Significant loss or sudden change of friends over a period of time
  • Suspicion of substance abuse

Keep your eyes open for these warning signs and seek consultation when you see them.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

  • Free Initial Consultation >
  • Effective Parenting Classes >
  • Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
  • Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
  • Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

verified by Psychology Today

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

Filed Under: Parent Advice & Support Articles Tagged With: Find a Family Therapist, FREE Parent Consultations, Parent Coaching, Parenting Classes, Santa Monica Family Therapy and Counseling, Teen and Adolescent Therapist and Counselor, Teen Support Groups

Teach Your Teen To Argue “Respectfully”

May 1, 2017 by Santa Monica Teen Therapist

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A Note From The Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

In your relationship with your teenager, it is important to be open to hearing their point of view. – Sandra

First, it is essential to really listen while your teen is talking, instead of formulating your response in your head. Also, try to stick to topic you are discussing and not jump around by bringing up past hurts or misunderstandings.

The foundation of any respectful argument involves avoiding: raising your voice, swearing, name calling, or pointing your finger in their face. You never want to use threats or taunts, which will only escalate the tension between you. A healthy relationship is based on honesty and trust, so you also don’t want to exaggerate to make a point.

You should never be placed in a position where you fear an argument could get physical. Laying a hand on anyone in anger is not okay. Therefore, it is wise to agree upon a safety phrase or gesture that indicates it might be helpful to take a “time out” from an argument which has gotten too heated.

You become a role model for your teen by being willing to apologize if you realize you are wrong. These recommendations will obviously work best if you and your teen can both agree to use them. Remember, you are teaching your teen that it’s easier to “hear” and “be heard” when opinions are expressed thoughtfully and respectfully.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

  • Free Initial Consultation >
  • Effective Parenting Classes >
  • Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
  • Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
  • Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

verified by Psychology Today

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

Filed Under: Parent Advice & Support Articles Tagged With: Find a Family Therapist, FREE Parent Consultations, Parent Coaching, Parenting Classes, Santa Monica Family Therapy and Counseling, Teen and Adolescent Therapist and Counselor, Teen Support Groups

Understanding the Teenage Brain

April 15, 2017 by Santa Monica Teen Therapist

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A Note From The Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

Have you noticed that Adolescence is now starting at younger ages than in previous generations? Read on to learn how these changes may be affecting your teen. – Sandra

Teenagers are going through a transitional time where their brain is rewiring itself for emotional attachment, reproduction, and ultimately the creation of a stable family structure, thus ensuring future generations. There can be a noticeable gap between your child’s intelligence and behavior during the teen years. We used to attribute this to the assault of a “hormonal hurricane.” However, there is actually a lot more going on in the different structures of your teen’s brain, that end up having long-term consequences.

Did you know that the myelin sheathing, which insulates nerves, increases by 100% in teenagers? Myelin sheathing is responsible for the conduction of nerve impulses to the brain. Thus, as the nerves become twice as efficient, this feeds the intensity and speed of your teen’s reaction. The teen years are also time of the lowest levels of Serotonin in the human brain during human life. Serotonin is the primary transmitter in the limbic system, having to do with morale and moods. Low serotonin levels create a state in which your teen becomes more susceptible to stress and overwhelm.

The brain does not grow in an orderly fashion. It first over-produces a bunch of connections that go to new parts of the brain. Then around age 16, through the mid-20’s, it starts eliminating connections based on how frequently they are used. The remaining connections determine who a person feels they are for the rest of their life. Have you ever heard that the teenage brain does not complete development until close to age 25? It’s true. Something called the pre-frontal cortex, responsible for impulse control–operating much like the CEO of a company, is not fully developed until your child’s mid-twenties.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

  • Free Initial Consultation >
  • Effective Parenting Classes >
  • Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
  • Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
  • Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

verified by Psychology Today

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

Filed Under: Parent Advice & Support Articles Tagged With: Find a Family Therapist, FREE Parent Consultations, Parent Coaching, Parenting Classes, Santa Monica Family Therapy and Counseling, Teen and Adolescent Therapist and Counselor, Teen Support Groups

Maximize Your Teen’s Cooperation

March 21, 2017 by Santa Monica Teen Therapist

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A Note From the Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

Despite some bumps in the road, teens really do want to feel connected to, as well as gain their parent’s approval. – Sandra

Worst Mistakes Parents Make When Talking to Teens:

*Talking Too Much

*Nagging and Giving Multiple Warnings

*Using Guilt and Shame to Get Compliance

*Not Listening

*Yelling on issues which could’ve been handled with a straightforward tone.

(acknowledging Melanie Greenberg)

The foundation of effective parenting is leading by example. When children observe how we treat them – and others – they learn how to behave. Here are some practical questions to consider in your relationship with your teen:

Putting Love into Action:

1. How and when do you interact with your teen?

2. When and why do you smile at your teen?

3. How do you talk to your teen?

4. When do you choose to hug and kiss your teen?

5. Do you tolerate your teen’s upset or do you try to understand why?

6. How do you set limits with your teen?

7. Do you allow your teen to experience some frustration?

8. In what ways do you allow your teen to explore and to make their own choices?

9. Do you ever tell your teen how you are really feeling?

(acknowledging Magda Gerber)

The key to maximizing your teen’s cooperation lies in your connection with them. Your teen needs you to be their anchor, and not lose your balance when they lose theirs. And when you do lose it (being human), they need for the connection between you to be repaired. By making a conscious effort to repair your relationship following emotional upheavals, you model the self-regulation skills that they need to support them during life’s challenges.

Adolescent counselor, family therapist and respectful parenting coach for over 10 years based in Santa Monica, California.

Menu of Services Offered:

  • Free Initial Consultation >
  • Effective Parenting Classes >
  • Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
  • Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
  • Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

verified by Psychology Today

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

Filed Under: Parent Advice & Support Articles Tagged With: Find a Family Therapist, FREE Parent Consultations, Parent Coaching, Parenting Classes, Santa Monica Family Therapy and Counseling, Teen and Adolescent Therapist and Counselor, Teen Support Groups

Teens: Making Friends At A New School

March 15, 2017 by Santa Monica Teen Therapist

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A Note From The Santa Monica Family Therapist

It’s often difficult getting started at a new school. It may seen like everyone already has their friends, and some people just aren’t open to meeting new people. Here are ideas on how to talk to your teen about this. – Sandra 

“I just moved to a new school and nobody wants to be my friend. I’ve tried everything! What can I do to get at least one friend?”

Start by noticing who in your class looks interesting to you. Pay attention to what you like about them. Try to notice who has friendly eyes, a kind smile, and is generous to others. Pick out at least 5 people who you think might make a good friend. Try saying hello to them every day for a week and see how they respond. What you are doing is showing them that you are interested in getting to know them. How they respond back to you will let you know who might be interested in getting to know you.

Once you have gotten a pleasant response from someone to your saying hello, you can approach that person and find out more about them. Begin by introducing yourself and saying where you moved from, and asking them a question. The question can be about anything, but ideally, you want to find out what they do in their spare time. The secret to success is to find someone who you can have a fun conversation with. You do not have to settle for someone who just doesn’t seem that interested in you.

Good friendships are often based on shared interests, meaning that you like to do similar things that they like to do. It’s okay if not everyone is a match for you. Don’t worry about it. Just move on..

Adolescent counselor, family therapist and respectful parenting coach for over 10 years based in Santa Monica, California.

Menu of Services Offered:

  • Free Initial Consultation >
  • Effective Parenting Classes >
  • Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
  • Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
  • Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

verified by Psychology Today

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

Filed Under: Parent Advice & Support Articles Tagged With: Find a Family Therapist, FREE Parent Consultations, Parent Coaching, Parenting Classes, Santa Monica Family Therapy and Counseling, Teen and Adolescent Therapist and Counselor, Teen Support Groups

Helping Your Teen Thrive In School

March 1, 2017 by Santa Monica Teen Therapist

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A Note From the Santa Monica Family Counselor

Not every student learns at the same pace or in the same style. The following are suggestions on how to help your teen succeed in school. – Sandra

At the start of the school year, check in with your child by asking what they think of their teachers and how enthused they are feeling about each of the subjects they are studying. Once school is underway check in daily or weekly, depending upon the self-motivation of your particular child, by asking about their assignments and what their are learning.

If  your teen starts expressing feelings of helplessness or hopelessness about a particular class or classes this could mean a couple of things:

  • They need some assistance beyond the time spent in class to actually digest the new information, and thus a tutor may prove helpful.
  • They may have a learning style or learning disability that needs to be better understood, like ADD, dyslexia, or a sensory processing disorder. There are tests as well as treatment designed to help overcome these challenges.
  • They may be struggling emotionally with depression, bullying, low self-esteem or even substance abuse. These are all situations that would benefit from a consultation and/or treatment with a trained mental health professional.

The educational process offers students the opportunity to learn social skills, personal responsibility, respect for authority, how to manage their time, what areas interest them, as well as how to gather and absorb information. Instead of focusing only on an outcome, it is essential that parents support their child in having a positive and successful learning experience.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

  • Free Initial Consultation >
  • Effective Parenting Classes >
  • Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
  • Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
  • Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

verified by Psychology Today

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

Filed Under: Parent Advice & Support Articles Tagged With: Find a Family Therapist, FREE Parent Consultations, Parent Coaching, Parenting Classes, Santa Monica Family Therapy and Counseling, Teen and Adolescent Therapist and Counselor, Teen Support Groups

Teaching Life Skills To Your Teen

May 14, 2016 by Santa Monica Teen Therapist

A Note From The Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

As a parent, you act as both a mentor and a role model. Your responsibility is to teach your children the skills they will need to succeed in the world prior to leaving your home. – Sandra

I invite you to consider whether your teen is prepared to demonstrate the following life skills in the world:

  • Expressing feelings appropriately
  • Making a sincere apology
  • Resisting peer-pressure while maintaining dignity with peers
  • Maintaining proper and appropriate hygiene
  • Using proper table manners
  • Planning and preparing a meal
  • Managing time effectively
  • Being a smart consumer
  • Using conflict resolution techniques to avoid arguments
  • Maintaining proper boundaries with others
  • Minimizing the chances of becoming a victim of crime
  • Handling emergency situations
  • Knowing how to act and what to say during a job interview
  • Earning, saving and spending money responsibly
  • Being able to recognize a person of poor character

If possible, try to set aside a portion of time each week to discuss and teach some of these life skills to your teen. The best way to approach these subjects is by creating heartfelt discussions. Try to make this a positive experience for your adolescent.

Implementing these concepts can take some time, which will vary substantially depending on the emotional maturity of your adolescent. Don’t feel like you have to tackle them all at once. You may want to consider setting aside 20 minutes a day where there are no interruptions.

In some situations, parents have not had the previous experience of entering into a similar discussion with their own parents. Therefore, I am more than happy to work together with you and your adolescent to facilitate these discussions.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

  • Free Initial Consultation >
  • Effective Parenting Classes >
  • Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
  • Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
  • Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >
  • Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

    Click to Call:

    (310) 951-5678
    .

    For more information, please visit my website:

    SandraDupont.com

    verified by Psychology Today

    Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

    Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

Filed Under: Parent Advice & Support Articles Tagged With: Find a Family Therapist, FREE Parent Consultations, Parent Coaching, Parenting Classes, Santa Monica Family Therapy and Counseling, Teen and Adolescent Therapist and Counselor, Teen Support Groups

Recommended Reading for Parents of Teens

May 1, 2016 by Santa Monica Teen Therapist

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A Note From The Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

The following is a list of  books I often recommend to the parents in my teen therapy practice. Many have found them helpful in understanding the challenges their teen may be facing. – Sandra

The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness
By Edward M. Hallowell, M.D.

The author argues that kids do not need straight As, a crammed schedule of extracurricular activities or even a traditional family in order to become contented adults. Kids do not need perfect lives, and learn from adversity and failure, but for the best chance of future happiness, Hallowell says, they need five basic tenets: to feel connected, to play, to practice, attain mastery and receive recognition.

Nurturing Resilience in Our Children
By Robert Brooks, P.h.D., and Sam Goldstein, P.h.D.

Addresses how to teach children to be responsible without provoking a negative reaction, how to guide them to cope with frustrations and challenges without coddling or criticizing them, and how to promote compassion by modeling good interpersonal skills as parents. A helpful chapter on the parent-teacher alliance covers questions on how parents should tackle concerns with school problems and work with their school to find a solution.

Right from Wrong: Instilling a Sense of Integrity in your Child
By Michael Riera and Joseph Di Prisco

Targeted for preschoolers through preteens, each chapter is organized around evocative vignettes about finding integrity. Among them: a kindergartner stealing a candy bar, the death of a family pet, a dustup on the soccer field, an 11-year-old who gives her phone number to a teenage boy at the movies. The authors imaginatively explore how parents can leverage kids’ everyday experiences–homework, competition, tattling, awakening sexuality, or surfing the Internet–into teachable moments of integrity.

The Female Brain
by Louann Brizendine, MD

The author tells the story of the human brain concisely with the impact of a good novel. This book is worth owning for anyone who wants to understand women better, how they change over the years and how female psychology correlates to development and physiology.

Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way
by M. Gary Neuman

If you want to know what your children are really experiencing and want to help, this book is for you. Be warned, it will make you cry, feel pain for your children, and possibly resurrect feelings of guilt. But it will also give you insight and direct you in how to continue parenting effectively with love and guidance, with or without the cooperation of your ex-spouse.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk
by Adele Faber

This book is an excellent communication tool kit, which provides a step-by-step approach to improving relationships in your house.

Parenting from the Inside Out
by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell

Drawing upon stunning new findings in neurobiology and attachment research, they explain how interpersonal relationships directly impact the development of the brain, and offer parents a step-by-step approach to forming a deeper understanding of their own life stories, which will help them raise compassionate and resilient children.

The Price of Privilege
by Madeline Levine Levine

Explores such issues as social isolation, the fine line between parental under-involvement and over-indulgence, and the perverse role of money and material goods in creating false promises of fulfillment. Yearning for outward approval, adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the delusion that wealth causes happiness.

Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls
by Mary Pipher and Ruth Ross

With sympathy and focus the author cites case histories to illustrate the struggles required of adolescent girls to maintain a sense of themselves among the mixed messages they receive from society, their schools and, often, their families. Pipher offers concrete suggestions for ways by which girls can build and maintain a strong sense of self.

Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys
by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson

The authors turn a spotlight on the inner lives of boys, debunking preconceptions about gender, explaining the importance of nurturing communication skills and empathy in boys as well as girls, and steering boys toward a manhood of emotional attachment, not stoicism and solitude.

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
by John M. Gottman

Gottman has revolutionized the study of marriage by using rigorous scientific procedures to observe the habits of married couples in unprecedented detail over many years. In his book he outlines seven principles that guide couples on the path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship.

Siblings Without Rivalry
by Adele Faber (Author), Elaine Mazlish

The authors talk you through umpteen different situations and outcomes to help you teach your brawling offspring a new set of responses. The highly informative text is punctuated with helpful summary/reminder boxes and cartoons illustrating key points. It’s a must-read for parents with (or planning on) multiple children.

The Blessing of a Skinned Knee
by Wendy Mogel

This author’s wise reflections on parenting demonstrate that trying to iron out any difficulties our children may face in life – now and in the future – actually hinders their development, producing offspring that have far less initiative, resilience, and character than they should.

Too Much of a Good Thing – Raising Children of Character
by Dan Kindlon, P.h.D.

Affluent parents often make life easy for their children while imposing high expectations about academics and sports. These children can then fail to develop life skills necessary to deal with inevitable setbacks and challenges on their own. In frustration over their perceived lack of competence, many indulge in drugs, alcohol, and inappropriate sexual practices.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

  • Free Initial Consultation >
  • Effective Parenting Classes >
  • Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
  • Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
  • Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

verified by Psychology Today

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  • Are Your Daughter’s Friends Dating?
  • What Are Your Teen’s Unique Talents?
  • Emotional Dysregulation Disorder in Teens
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