Author: Dr. Kimberly Kinsler
What to do When Quarantined
We asked some of our clinicians for tips on how to stay sane and take control of our mental health when we’ve been stuck inside all day; and then this lovely infographic was born!
Some other tips that we were given were:
“Puzzles, journaling, and starting a new series on Netflix.” – Dr. Jones
“Gratitude journaling, biking, gardening, writing a thank you letter to those of service or find a way to your community…learn a new talent.” – Dr. Young
“Definitely nature and sunshine if done so appropriately (with social distance and probably sunscreen). Establish a routine and as much structure as possible. Try to limit alcohol/other substances (including food) to cope. Oh and only check the news 1-2x daily! This can be hugely anxiety provoking. And as always…Gratitude, gratitude,gratitude! Don’t forget to breathe.” – Dr. Taylor
“Many shelters and animal rescuers are limiting intakes of pets and need fosters at this time. Volunteering in this way can help the community but can also provide a lovable companion.” – Dr. Vaccaro
7 Things to Tell Your Kids About the Corona Virus
WHAT TO SAY TO KIDS ABOUT THE COVID-19 CORONA VIRUS
1. Help kids gain a sense of control and decrease anxiety by giving information and strategies to help prevent them from catching a virus.
2. Practice good hygiene and encourage your children to wash their hands with soap and water often.
3. Limit exposure to the news media. Try to watch and listen to news with your children so that your present to answer any questions they may have.
4. When answering questions stick with the facts. Use information from the world health organization and other reliable sources, being sure to filter out incorrect and erroneous information.
5. Talk about your feelings, and assure your children that you all will work together as a family to manage whatever comes up.
6. Be careful not to pass on your own fear to your children, as they often internalize the emotions of adults around them. Teach them how to be calm.
7. Use precautions, but continue to enjoy life.
New Service – IEP’s and Special Education
At Kinsler Psychology, we’re excited to introduce a new service for parents of children with special learning needs.
Does your child have an IEP? Do you think your child needs accommodations at school? We may be able to help!
Dr. Kinsler has nearly 10 years experience writing IEPs and more than 20 years experience advocating for students with special needs and helping parents and caregivers understand this often confusing process. She has helped write hundreds of IEPs in her career.
Dr. Hernandez Poudevida has conducted psychological evaluations to identify special needs, advocated for special needs children and helped write IEPs for over 10 years.
We are here to help. If you’ve ever attended an IEP meeting, you know that, despite the good intentions of the school personnel, trying to advocate for your child it while sitting around a large conference table with people you don’t know can be quite intimidating. At Kinsler Psychology, we can help. We offer a variety of IEP related services to assist you. Our services include:
One on one review of your child’s IEP and current interventions
Understanding ways to assist your child
Consultation to review relevant data
Navigating graduation requirements
Psychological evaluations and referrals
Attendance at IEP meeting to assist with advocacy
Want more information? Give us a call and schedule an appointment today!
Discipline and Setting Limits with Children
Discipline and Setting Limits with Children
A lot of parents contact us because of concerns for their child’s behavior. Sometimes, the behavioral concerns are so severe that children get dismissed from preschool or are suspended from school. At Kinsler Psychology, we look at the entire system-the child AND their environment. The first thing we want to rule out is any psychological disorders (e.g., ADHD, autism, bipolar). Children with psychological disorders require a more tailored approach, but require discipline nonetheless.
Many times parents lack sufficient tools in their discipline toolbox. Besides timeout, grounding, and removing electronics, there’s nothing in the toolbox! I teach a 3-level approach to help parents quickly identify whether the incident is no big deal, a problem, or a major infraction and then act accordingly. The ultimate goal is to teach your child to be a responsible adult, so be creative!
Want to know more? Give us a call or contact us.