Robin Steiner Wallace, LCSW
The Painted SoulA Blog by Robin Wallace"They always say time changes things but you actually have to change them yourself."— Andy Warhol
For those with an active eating disorder or in recovery, the start of the holiday season, with its emphasis on the abundance of food, can be extra challenging. Practicing self-care and self-acceptance are helpful tools to have, but there is one very powerful practice that has been shown to help people with eating disorders. And that’s the power of gratitude. [Read more…]
These days, the age range of women looking for partners spans from young girls starting to look for love to mature women who find themselves in the dating arena again after the loss of a partner or a divorce. Dating apps across the generations have changed the landscape of finding a partner. But has it made dating easier? [Read more…]
There has been a sharp increase in the number of adolescent suicides. According to the CDC, the suicide rate among adolescents and young adults from ages 10 to 24 has jumped 60% since 2011. Teens have reported struggling with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loneliness, and persistent thoughts of suicide. More than 20% of teens have seriously contemplated taking their own life according to the American Psychological Association. That’s why supporting the well-being of our children is more important than ever. September is Suicide Awareness Month. Here are a few important signs you should be aware of and things you can do to mitigate suicidal behavior. [Read more…]
Many parents nowadays think that it’s okay to be friends with their child. In fact, trying to be your child’s friend can be confusing. Kids need boundaries and rules. They look to you for guidance. Your child sees the choices you make in life, and they get a good sense of what is right and wrong. They may not always show it, but those lessons become a part of their moral compass. Your kids are navigating the choppy waters of adolescence—that includes sex. That’s why it’s important to talk to them about sex, and that conversation needs to come from you. [Read more…]
But the fastest-growing drug problem in this country isn’t pot, meth, heroin, or cocaine. It’s prescription drugs, and it’s profoundly affecting the health of our teens. There has been an alarming increase in the number of children who have been prescribed multiple psychiatric medications. Researchers have seen an increase in antipsychotic use in children and teens since 1999 despite not knowing if the drugs actually work or if they could lead to long-term effects. In fact, there has been very little evidence that prescribing multiple medications for children is safe or effective. [Read more…]