We must allow children to experience the consequences of their choices. A consequence is defined simply as “the natural outcomes of behavior”. Consequences teach a valuable lesson: we make a choice/take an action or we do not, either way there is an impact on the outcome of events. Logical consequences
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Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger July 24, 2019
When you’re learning to manage your anger in a nonaggressive way, the first steps consist of recognizing how anger feels for you, and getting to know the situations that produce it. It’s easier to take these first steps if you can become aware of your anger’s symptoms. Cognitive Signs Cognitive
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger July 24, 2019
Most people are responsible. Some go a step further and are excessively responsible. If someone is sad, those who take excessive responsibility feel it’s their obligation to make them happy. If someone is upset, they feel it’s their responsibility to calm them down. If two people can’t get along, they
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger July 24, 2019
At some point in your life, you probably learned the golden rule, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. There is a phrase in Exodus 21:23,24 that many cite as a religious basis for the golden rule “a life for life, eye for eye, tooth for
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger July 24, 2019
Once when I was watching the news, I saw a story about a man in southern California whose house had been destroyed by a mudslide. He was crying, and he told a reporter that he wanted the federal government to step in and help. Down the street, the reporter found
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger June 12, 2019
4 ways Trump’s presidency has evoked a sense of powerlessness: 1) Marginalization – when an individual or group minimizes or disavows the legitimacy, rights or privileges of others who are believed to be somehow different from the mainstream. 2) Internalizing external reality- themes of loss related to reduced importance, influence,
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger June 12, 2019
There is a long history of women who were told they were hysterical for openly expressing intense emotions. Guest blogger, Laura Brownstone, LCSW has been a therapist for over 15 years. In this post, she shares her thoughts on the shame and stigma that fuels the impulse of self injury. I
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger June 12, 2019
Try looking at anger in terms of the following 5 reasons for angry behaviors: 1 Seeking revenge. You feel hurt, so you want to get even and make things fair. 2 Preventing disaster. You feel helpless, so you want to take control. 3 Pushing others away. You feel discouraged, so
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger June 12, 2019
We would certainly take objection to parents who are not teaching their children to read or do math because we know how difficult life will be without those skills. Why is responsibility any different? When we do not teach our children responsibility, we send them into the world without a
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger June 12, 2019
As parents, we are probably all familiar with being provoked into a blood vessel-popping rage. We are instantly overwhelmed and any resolution we might have made to stay calm is eradicated. That’s because kids are amazingly good at refining behaviors that they can turn to when they’re disappointed or angry,
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger June 12, 2019