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Article 10.06.2015

Selective Mutism

Children who are unable to speak in situations where talking is expected or necessary, to the extent that their refusal interferes with school and making friends, may suffer from selective mutism (SM). As the Selective Mutism Association (SMA) notes SM is best understood as a childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a child or adolescent’s inability to speak in one or more social settings (e.g., at school, in public places, with adults) despite being able to speak comfortably in other settings (e.g., at home with family).

Webinar 05.16.2024

A New Transdiagnostic Treatment Target for Child Anxiety: Independence

This roundtable of leaders in the field of child anxiety with the goal of discusses a refocusing of CBT on the construct of child independence to bring effective treatment to far more children, reduce clinician, parent, and child resistance to treatment, and increase effect sizes. IFT is described, and preliminary data on its effectiveness is presented. The role of resilience as an outcome of independence and a possible transdiagnostic mechanism in the treatment of child anxiety is also discussed. How to adapt independence activities for children who live in inner-city, rural, and suburban settings is discussed.

Personal Story 08.16.2023

Treat Anxiety as a Mustard Seed

Most would agree that treating invasive cancer when it is still just the size of a mustard seed has a much better prognosis than waiting and treating it when it metastasizes into a larger, less curable disease. My cancer experience makes me more resolute about treating anxiety early.

Personal Story 08.09.2023

Understanding the Complexity of Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

Growing up in Japan with a workaholic surgeon father and an often-absent socialite mother, I was raised by a revolving cast of caregivers who worked at my father's hospital. An unstable home environment and lack of a consistent caregiver created in me a melancholic, anxious child prone to insomnia.

Blog post 06.13.2023

What is Trauma, What is PTSD, Who is Affected, and How to Get Help

What happens in PTSD, is that the brain goes into the fight and flight mode and is constantly on alert to protect the person from recurrence of the highly dangerous experience. But the problem is that it cannot come down from that state of heightened arousal, even after leaving the dangerous situation, and coming back to the safe life environment.

Blog post 06.07.2023

Is What You're Feeling PTSD? What To Do To Help

If you’re wondering whether you or a loved one might be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are some important things for you to know.

Blog post 04.20.2023

Are the Kids Really Alright? Troubling Headlines, Teenage Girls, and Declining Mental Health

The headlines and the CDC report are indeed alarming, but they should serve as a wakeup call to all of us. Yes, we should think seriously about why we are seeing a steep decline in the mental health of teenage girls, but we have to come together now as parents, family, friends, educators, clinicians, providers, and as a society to support, enhance and establish more preventive measures for our youth.

Blog post 01.27.2023

Horror and Anguish are Playing out on Repeat Following the Latest Mass Shooting

Yet another community is stricken with grief. In addition to those who are experiencing direct loss, such events also take a toll on others, including those who witnessed the shooting, first responders, people who were nearby and those who hear about it through the media.

Blog post 05.31.2022