Behavioral Psych Studio

Author: BPS Staff

A Parent’s Guide to Social Media Consumption

By: Laura Miller, LMSW

In a recent blog, we discussed the effects of media overconsumption, sharing that overconsumption can lead to both increased stress and sadness. Equally important, are research findings that a majority of adolescents receive their news from social media outlets, rather than traditional news sources. Teens’ news consumption habits may be an indicator of time spent on social media by this age group. According to the non-profit group, Common Sense Media’s report, teenagers spend nine hours a day engaging with digital technology, and “tweens” ages eight to twelve spend approximately six hours per day. Furthermore, reports also indicate that roughly half of teenagers ages thirteen to seventeen are worried that they spend too much time on their phones. Given the increasing worry among teens, it makes sense that parents too, are anxious about the effects of screen time on their children. Keep reading for more information on what we know about the effects of screen time and for tips on how to best support your child.

Understand the Effects of Screen Time

While social media is an excellent way to connect with peers, share creatively about interests, and find entertainment, there has been increased evidence to suggest that these positive effects come with a significant cost. Social media can be highly distracting for teens, disrupt their sleep patterns, limit their ability to communicate in-person, expose them to rumor spreading and bullying, while at the same time encourageunrealistic views of other people’s lives. Teenagers also recognize the negative effects of social media use, reporting in a Royal Society for Public Health survey that Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all led to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image and loneliness.

Build a Healthy Social Media Routine & Commit to Following it Too

Cell phone use is deeply embedded in teenage routines; 72% of teens report that they often check for notifications as soon as they wake up, while 40% indicate feeling anxious if they do not have their cell phone constantly with them. This continuous flow of social media is dangerous for teens as it often leads to social comparison, with teens feeling anxious or depressed about what they are not doing or things they don’t have. When kids are constantly monitoring others, both in person and digitally, it’s exhausting. People of all ages need time alone to regroup and replenish, and when you don’t have that due to constant social media use it can leave you feeling emotionally depleted. Encourage your child to delay checking their phone in the morning and ask that they leave their phone in an agreed upon “charging station” rather than taking it to bed with them. Not only is removing screen time prior to going to bed important for sleep hygiene, but it will also provide your child the much-needed break from consumption.

Furthermore, make a commitment to follow the same screen time rules that you set up for your child. It’s important that your child see you without a phone in your hand and learns that separation from screens is entirely tolerable. Try out establishing technology free zones and times. For example, no phones at the dinner table or no phones in the car on the way to school. The time spent at dinner or school drop off provide great opportunities to bond with your child and removing phones from these times will make it so you can truly give your child your undivided attention; ultimately improving your relationship and leading to your child feeling more secure.

Monitor (and trust!) Your Child’s Consumption

If your child is on social media you can ask to follow them so that you can monitor their page. Make sure that you are up front with your child that you are following them, and try to stay in the background (don’t comment or “like” their posts unless they want you to!). If you see anything concerning, make sure to address the issue face to face, rather than on their social media page. You want to have an eye on what your child is consuming, however you also want your child to know that you trust them.

Encourage Your Child to Engage in Social Activity in Person

While social media offers plenty of opportunity for communication and connection, it’s important that teens engage in activities that allow for in-person interaction. Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair, clinical psychologist and author of The Big Disconnect, highlights that children who grow up in the digital age of social media miss out on learning and continuing to practice social skills. Communication over texting and social media entirely removes non-verbal cues that are important for children to understand. Encourage your child to get involved in extracurriculars or pick up the phone to call a loved one. It’s important for kids to practice real time communication that isn’t delayed by one party having to open an app. Furthermore, getting your child off their phone and into activities that they’re interested in will spark even more interests and allow them to gain confidence. When kids learn to feel proud of themselves for what they’re doing- rather than what they look like in a post- they’re happier and better prepared for continued success in real life moments.

Teenagers and tweens are in a rapid period of brain development, and it’s important for them to understand the effects of social media and then consume media responsibly. Talk to your child about your concerns and create an open dialogue so that your child knows that they can come talk to you for help as well. You might also want to check out Common Sense Media’s list of frequently asked questions, which include up to date ways to navigate the ever-changing media landscape.

November 16, 2020
Media Consumption: Staying Informed While Staying Healthy

By: Laura Miller, LMSW

Feeling a little news obsessed lately? Between the upcoming election and COVID-19 pandemic it would only make sense if you’re experiencing a magnetic draw to refresh the news and gather information. In fact, a recent analysis shows that since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, media consumption has more than doubled nationwide. This increase in media consumption may be explained by the phenomenon that when uncertainty is high, the brain works overload to scour for information to help us feel more in control. Both the upcoming election and coronavirus pandemic carry an unprecedented level of uncertainty and while refreshing news outlets may provide some short-time relief, these behaviors ultimately have the opposite effect. Keep reading to better understand the nuances of media overconsumption as well as its effects, and for ways to stay informed on current events, while protecting your own well-being.

In today’s world, information spreads both continuously and instantaneously. A majority of people carry new outlets right in their pockets; smartphones that feed real-time information. Forbes magazine compared trying to stay informed on current events to “trying to quench your thirst by taking a quick sip from a fire hose. One minute you’ve logged into LinkedIn, and the next you’re deciphering a COVID-19 bar chart on the New York Times website.” The sheer volume and readily-accessible amount of media is overwhelming and can lead to an unproductive information search.

You might have heard of Netflix’s recent documentary, The Social Dilemma, which

highlights the various ways in which both social media and news sources have manipulated human psychology to rewire the human brain to continue to refresh news platforms. Essentially, the documentary discusses that features like timelines, notifications, likes and photo tags are all created to keep consumers coming back for more. With platforms built for overconsumption and readily available access, it’s all the more important to build a skillset to manage media consumption.

Too much news has been found to have negative effects on our well-being and furthermore, news about potentially emotionally distressing content – such as the coronavirus pandemic and an election- have even more of a negative impact. One study found that watching just 14-minutes of negatively-valanced news material, increased consumer anxiety and sad mood, and also resulted in consumers having an increased tendency to catastrophize personal worries. Even prior to the coronavirus pandemic, a 2019 survey by the American Psychological association found that more than half of Americans wanted to stay informed but that doing so caused an increase in stress.

While it’s important to stay informed, it’s equally important to take steps to ensure that your own well-being remains intact. The way that we absorb information has changed, and we must also develop new skills to manage the continuous flow of readily available information.

Control What You Consume

The first step begins with taking back control of your consumption. You need to determine what information is actually helpful versus what is unhelpful and can lead to more anxiety. You might ask yourself, “How is this news source serving me? Have I used any of the news this source delivered to me to better my life in the past week? Is this news I’m getting written in a way to create controversy and outrage? Are they repeating the same point over and over again?” In short, if the media is not serving you positively, you may want to think about eliminating this news source. Seek out non-sensationalized news that objectively offers helpful information. You want to stick to trusted sources such as the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, make an effort to seek out positive news stories. There is plenty of good news out there that doesn’t get the same media attention that negative stories do. Check out sources such as Positive News, Good News Network, or The Optimist Daily for an increased dose of positivity.

Control When You Consume

In addition to being selective about what you consume, you want to also be conscientious of when you’re consuming. Turning on the news and checking social media first thing in the morning while you’re still in bed can set you up for then having a more stressful day. Allow yourself time to wake up and do something that is productive and satisfying to you, prior to engaging in media consumption. Ideally, you may also want to consider setting up a dedicated time for consumption- no more than an hour, and then put your phone in “do not disturb” mode during your peak productivity hours. This way, you can eliminate the continuous flow of information while you need to be focused on other tasks. If you don’t think setting up a dedicated time to consume media is realistic for your routine, try to engage in media consumption sparingly; you may choose to use it as a reward for yourself, after you’ve done something productive. Also consider closing tabs of news or social media sites while working or completing school work. Not only is having them open distracting, but the continuous information flow is also harmful. Additionally, be aware of how late you consume news. You want ample time to process it during the day, and don’t want to be taking stressful news stories and related worry thoughts to bed with you.

Control How You Consume

Scrolling multiple websites and reading the same news stories over and over again is overwhelming. Consider subscribing to a digital news aggregator website, newsletter or app. This way you can get a quick-run down and stay informed, yet not spend too much time reading the same stories. Check out Google News for a quick selection of top headlines. Ultimately, you want something that will be able to provide the facts, without being overstimulating. You might also try asking your home smart-speaker system (Amazon-Alexa or Google Home) to tell you the news of the day. This way, you’ll hear a quick briefing that is detached and get a “robotic-run-down” of the major stories without being exposed as much to the potentially over sensationalized and emotionally charged material.

Of course, in addition to staying informed, do things outside news consumption! Connect with people that you love, take walks, exercise, listen to music… make sure to engage in pleasant and soothing events! When the media becomes too loud, you want to have a space to go that is quiet and pleasant. Media consumption is a major component of our day to day lives and we must adapt and learn new skills to adjust. Stay tuned for future articles on how to best manage social media usage and tips for parents to support their children’s social media and media consumption!

October 27, 2020
Understanding School Refusal & How To Best Support Your Child

By: Laura Miller, LMSW

As the leaves begin to turn, it’s undeniable that colder weather is upon us. However, it may be harder to believe that your child is already well into their first couple of months of school. The beginning of the school year is a difficult and stressful time for students and their families, and with so much additional stress this school year, your child’s transition back to school may not have been as smooth as past years. In fact, school refusal occurs in five percent of school children, peaking at ages five to seven years old, and then again at eleven and fourteen years old. The term “school refusal” refers to an individual’s difficulty to attend school often due to emotional distress. Keep reading to better understand school refusal and ways to support your child.

School Refusal Symptoms

Most often, school refusal is associated with anxiety symptoms such as fears related to separation from parents, tests, peers, teachers, or difficulty with transition itself. Many children will express a desire to go to school, however when the time comes for drop off or to get on the school bus, they may become frozen and refuse to attend school. Many children also experience somatic symptoms such as headaches, abdominal pain, shakiness, dizziness, or nausea. These symptoms may be present in the morning as the child gets ready to attend school, and then later disappear if the child stays home.

Identify the Anxiety

It is critical to remember that at the root of your child’s refusal, there is likely anxiety. Talk to your child in a calm and neutral way to better understand what may be getting in the way of attending school. You might begin the conversation by offering the hypothesis that your child may be anxious- (after all, it would make sense to avoid a situation that causes them stress!) You can then discuss with your child different situations that may be contributing to your child’s anxiety. Encourage your child to talk about their feelings, but try to avoid asking leading questions such as, “Are you anxious about not doing well in Math?” Leading questions can feed children’s anxiety, so stick to open-ended questions when possible; “How are you feeling about Math?”.

Validate the Anxiety and It’s Resulting Challenges

There are many situations that may be increasing your child’s anxiety and result in your child’s desire to avoid school. Not only does having a better understanding of your child’s anxiety help to later inform a treatment program, but it also gives the opportunity to validate your child’s anxiety and how difficult it is to tolerate their distress in school. It’s important to distinguish that validation doesn’t always mean agreement. You don’t want to belittle your child’s fears, but you don’t want to amplify them either. Simply listen, be empathetic, and help your child understand what they are anxious about. You want to send the message that you understand that your child is scared and that you here to support them.

Build Support in School

Typically, school refusal is a gradual process, usually beginning with vague complaints related to school and a reluctance to attend, and then later progressing into total refusal. This gradual progression of symptoms, heightens the need for parents to be critically aware of their child’s feelings toward school so support can be provided as needed to reduce the likelihood of total refusal. After discussing your child’s fears, collaborate with your child’s school to develop assistance and support for your child. You may need to develop an action plan in which a school employee accompanies your child into the classroom, or you may choose to discuss accommodations such as your child being able to take a break from class if he or she feels panic. Discuss the determined action plan with your child so they know what to expect and understand that there is support in school.

Discuss With Your Child Why Avoidance Doesn’t Work

Validate for your child how challenging facing their fears are, however emphasize that avoidance of school is not a viable long-term solution, and that both you and school employees are here to support them as they tolerate their distress. You can’t promise to your child that their fears are entirely unrealistic, that there is no possible way that they might not do as well as they had hoped on a school assignment. However, you can express your confidence that your child is going to be okay regardless of the outcome, and that they will be able to manage the distress and face their fears.

…And What They Can Do Instead

You and your child can also discuss ways to tolerate and more effectively cope with their anxiety, rather than avoid it. The goal here isn’t to eliminate your child’s anxiety entirely (i.e. allowing them to stay home from school), but rather to help your child manage their anxiety in school. In fact, allowing your child to stay home from school will actually reinforce your child’s anxiety. Let your child know that you understand the hard work that it takes to tolerate the anxiety, and then focus on strategies your child can use to remain calm; taking deep breaths, imagining themselves in a calming place, or using positive self-talk such as, “I can do this, and I can ask for help if I need it.”

This is a unique and stressful school year, and in some cases, your child’s school refusal may look like refusing to turn on the computer to attend school. Distance learning because of the coronavirus pandemic has been stressful for many kids, and if you’re seeing school refusal this year, you are certainly not alone. Many kids are having trouble focusing, which might contribute to school refusal. Refusing to do their work, may be your child’s way of communicating that this new style of learning is difficult for them. Discuss with your child how they’re feeling about remote learning, and encourage them that although both new and difficult, you and their teachers are here to help. You may also want to check out these tips for keeping your child engaged in at home-learning.

Further, help your child handle their own anxiety by also letting them see how you cope with anxiety yourself. Model for your child that you too can identify things that you are anxious about, manage it without avoidance, and then feel really good about getting through it! Additionally, you can also model for your child asking for help; don’t hesitate to ask for more support from your child’s school or from other mental health professionals as needed.

October 14, 2020
How to Support Your Student’s Return to School During COVID-19 (& Take Care of Yourself, Too!)

By: Laura Miller, LMSW

Even in the absence of a global pandemic, the start of a new school year creates a long “to-do” list for parents; purchase new school supplies, meet teachers, pack school lunches…the list goes on! This year, as parents’ to-do lists expand to include navigating the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition back to school has become daunting. Furthermore, children are faced with significant challenges as they too, navigate the unknowns of the pandemic and adjust to socially distant, and in some cases, completely remote learning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 7% of children have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, however current circumstances may prompt children to be more anxious than usual and parents must be prepared to best support their child’s changing needs. Keep reading for tips on how to support your child’s return to school, while prioritizing their (and your own!) physical and mental health.

Address Your Child’s Anxiety Head On

Start addressing your child’s anxiety by being mindful of signs and symptoms and create an open dialogue to identify any worries that they may be experiencing. You can then provide fact-based information to address their concerns. For example, you might ask, “How are you feeling about returning to school?” And then calmly say, “I can see that you are worried about getting sick while you’re at school. Let’s talk about how we can wear a mask, wash our hands, and practice social distancing to stay safe!” You can also check out the CDC’s checklist for more back to school planning.

After helping your child recognize their worries, reassure them that both you and their teachers are there to help. Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and discuss coping strategies to use when anxious. For example, you may suggest taking deep breaths, imagining themselves in a calming place, or using positive self-talk such as, “I can do this, and I can ask for help if I need it.” You might also alleviate some of your child’s anxiety by prepping them for the changes that they may experience this school year. For example, you can discuss differences such as desks spread out, designated ways to walk in the hallways, wearing a mask and washing hands often.

Create a Family Routine

In a previous blog, we discussed the benefits of routine for kids, yet after months of remote learning and summer break, returning to a school routine may prove challenging. Put together a schedule to designate times for meals, exercise, learning activities and free time. Furthermore, give your child choices within each category to promote their own independence. It’s especially important for children engaging in remote learning to have a separate space for the “school day” and to schedule breaks, so that your child is able to get a snack/stretch and stay motivated throughout their learning day. Children often have trouble with sleeping during a stressful period and will also benefit from a normal nighttime routine. Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics’ tips on creating a sleep schedule.

Encourage Positive Behavior

In some cases, children who experience anxiety are also more likely to engage in disruptive behaviors or become oppositional. Children may not always know how to communicate their stress and can act out instead. Use your attention as a powerful tool; pay attention and reinforce positive behaviors with labeled praise; “Great job picking up after yourself, thank you!”and discourage other unwanted behaviors by ignoring them. Furthermore, use rewards and privileges to reinforce positive behaviors; you can make a sticker chart for behaviors such as completing homework and getting along with siblings and even create a system to redeem stickers for other privileges.

Model Taking Care of Yourself

It makes sense for parents to also feel overwhelmed and stressed, many are being tasked with completing their full-time jobs virtually, while also engaging in child-care; an incredible amount of responsibility. You can support your child’s mental health by modeling how you are taking care of you! Taking care of yourself physically will boost your mood and better prepare you for stressful moments. Keep reading here for more tips on how to remain in control.

All families are faced with new and difficult challenges this year, don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it. Take time to be truly present with your child and engage in fun activities together to help build a supportive and safe environment this year. Furthermore, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher to ask questions, and gather more information about your child’s functioning in school; teachers are allies and are there to help! Lastly, remember that by getting through these challenges now, you’re helping your child build lifelong coping skills!

September 16, 2020
Staying in Control When the World is Out of Control: How to Manage Returning to School During COVID

By Laura Miller, LMSW

The transition from warm and relaxing summer months into cool September mornings and structured school days is always a difficult change. So much so, that many students experience anxiety as they return to campus for another school year. In fact, nearly 30% of both adolescents and young adults experience anxiety. This school year’s start prompts another set of unique challenges; managing the unknowns of the continued COVID-19 global pandemic and its consequences on school; remote learning, a hybrid of in-person and virtual classes and the ongoing thought; “When will this end!?” Feeling anxious? Keep reading for tips on how to manage your stress!

Acknowledge Your Stress (and Especially Why it Makes Sense!)

It’s natural to want to avoid situations that make you anxious. Perhaps you’ve thought about sleeping in and skipping that calculus class that seems particularly difficult, or you still have yet to review (and purchase!) your course load’s required textbooks. However, this can actually contribute to a vicious cycle that keeps your anxiety around longer. Instead, acknowledge and validate why you’re feeling stressed and then later return to the task. For example, you might say, “Of course this is difficult for me, I haven’t ever had to take an online class before, and this is something new to get used to. It’s okay to be feeling nervous right now.” Then, follow your validation with a “coping statement”; “I’m going to try my best and I’ll ask for help when I need it!” Remember that you’ve never been in a global pandemic AND had to go to school- this is hard, and it’s perfectly okay to feel stressed.

Build a Supportive Network

The COVID-19 pandemic has limited the amount of people we can physically be around, however building and maintaining positive and supportive relationships is still critically important for our mental health. Make a concerted effort to connect with other students in your classes and around campus. This may look different from past years, however there are creative ways to “hang out” with friends; check out https://www.netflixparty.com/! Create virtual study groups and email professors to attend virtual “office hours” when needed. The library may not be packed with students this semester’s finals week, but it’s still possible to find ways to ask for support. Additionally, talk to your loved ones about how you’re feeling, it’s likely that you’re not the only one feeling extra stressed this semester.

Take Back Control, Make a Routine….And Be Flexible If It Needs to Change

COVID-19 has brought continuous change, which can certainly contribute to a feeling of total lack of control. While the world keeps changing, it’s helpful to gain back some sense of normalcy by controlling what you can control. You can start taking back control of the school year by establishing a regular schedule and then sticking to your new routine. Are all of your classes online? Do they not begin until the late afternoon? Get up in the morning just like you would for an early morning class, get dressed, make or purchase a nutritious breakfast, and then start off the day by getting some exercise too. Then, create a separate and private space for you to get your work done. Dorm rooms especially are filled with distraction (Hi, friends!), so make sure to find a space where you will really be able to focus on your professor’s lecture. It’s helpful to still be in a “normal” school frame of mind, and recreate a space as if you were in class. Creating this daily schedule will foster some predictability for yourself and therefore reduce stress and help alleviate some the anxiety related to the unknowns of what your day may be like. While sticking to this routine will be helpful, also be open minded and flexible about any necessary scheduling changes as they arise.

Make a Pledge to Use Self Care

As your school assignments pick up, make sure you don’t stop participating in other

pleasant and self-care daily activities that you enjoy! Self-care has been found critical to student success, and engaging in different pleasant activities (and taking a break from school!) will keep you centered and balanced in the midst of so much change. Make an effort to take breaks in between classes and go get a snack or stretch, before returning to your work. Furthermore, get enough sleep to feel rested, exercise, eat nutritious foods, and overall take care of your physical health— this in turn will boost your mood!

Be Mindful of Your Stress

As the school year ramps up, continue to evaluate your stress level. Be mindful of how you’re feeling and try not to put too much on your plate or pressure on yourself. Communicate with others about your feelings and make sure to ask for help when you need it. Work on developing a growth mindset- there might be a few bumps this school year and that’s okay, you will learn to handle these challenges! Be nonjudgmental toward yourself and take time to enjoy a few rewards as you accomplish your goals!

Stay tuned for our next article highlighting how parents can adapt and help support their children’s transition back to school during the pandemic!

September 10, 2020
BPS for BLM: Exploring Our Own Racial Biases

**This post is part of our series, Behavioral Psych Studio for Black Lives Matter (BPS for BLM), which aims to amplify Black voices on topics related to mental health and wellbeing. All links below will take you to Black-created content.**

By Brooke Schwartz, LMSW

Not knowing where to start your antiracist journey — or where to go next — may lead you to feel stuck. If you find yourself in this position, look no further than Leesa Renee Hall’s expressive writing prompts. An anti-bias facilitator and expressive writing coach, Hall suggests spending 30 minutes responding to one of the questions she poses such as, “How did your parents or caregivers talk about skin colour? How did their beliefs and views shape you?”

The goal of this exercise? To help the writer “uncover blocks [they] may have in hearing another person’s pain” so that they can “hear without getting dismissive or defensive.” Try it out, and stay tuned for more posts in this series!

Disclaimer

This site is for information only. It is not therapy. This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise, provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local emergency number.

For referral information about our services, please click here or see our contact page on our website.

August 6, 2020
BPS for BLM: Talking to Kids about Racism in the News

**This post is part of our series, Behavioral Psych Studio for Black Lives Matter (BPS for BLM), which aims to amplify Black voices on topics related to mental health and wellbeing. All links below will take you to Black-created content.**

By Brooke Schwartz, LMSW

Speaking with children about racist incidents in the news can seem like a daunting task to parents and caregivers. Over the last couple of months or years, you may have asked yourself questions such as: How much should I tell my child about racism? Does my child need to know what’s in the news? What if I say the wrong thing? How will they respond?

In a video for the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, clinical psychologist Dr. Howard Stevenson addresses common questions parents, caregivers, and educators may have when it comes to talking to their children about racism in the news. The takeaway? According to Dr. Stevenson, “children need tools for how to feel and speak about these issues.” The way to facilitate this? In short, talk with kids about race.

July 16, 2020
BPS for BLM: Racism and Ableism

**This post is part of our series, Behavioral Psych Studio for Black Lives Matter (BPS for BLM), which aims to amplify Black voices on topics related to mental health and wellbeing. All links below will take you to Black-created content.**

By Brooke Schwartz, LMSW

Have you ever thought about how people with disabilities are portrayed in the media and pop culture? In her article for Elle Magazine titled My Joy Is My Freedom, author Keah Brown explains, “People don’t often think of people of color or of LGBTQ+ people when they think of us. Instead, they think of cis white male wheelchair users who hate themselves, because that is so often the way pop culture depicts us.”

Check out Brown’s article to learn more about what it means for her to live life unapologetically in her “Black and disabled body.”

Disclaimer

This site is for information only. It is not therapy. This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise, provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local emergency number.

For referral information about our services, please click here or see our contact page on our website.

July 10, 2020
BPS for BLM: Racism, Police Brutality, and Pride

**This post is part of our series, Behavioral Psych Studio for Black Lives Matter (BPS for BLM), which aims to amplify Black voices on topics related to mental health and wellbeing. All links below will take you to Black-created content.** By Brooke Schwartz, LMSW

Did you know that “Black LGBTQ people are disproportionately victims of violence from both the police and from everybody else?” In a recent episode of the podcast Code Switch titled “They Don’t Say Our Names Enough,” host Brittany Luse discusses the intersection of race and LGBT rights, zeroing in on Storme DeLarverie, a Black butch female performer and LGBT advocate who’s said to have “thrown the first punch” at the Stonewall Uprising of 1969.

Tune in to learn more, and stay tuned for future blog posts in this series.

Disclaimer

This site is for information only. It is not therapy. This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise, provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local emergency number.

For referral information about our services, please click here or see our contact page on our website.

July 1, 2020
Behavioral Psych Studio for Black Lives Matter (BPS for BLM)

By Brooke Schwartz, LMSW

We at Behavioral Psych Studio are committed to dismantling white supremacy, the belief system — often unspoken and unacknowledged — that white people are rightfully the dominant group in society. In contributing to this effort, our silence is not an option. In our new series, Behavioral Psych Studio for Black Lives Matter (BPS for BLM), we will be highlighting and amplifying Black voices by sharing media covering a number of different topics, such as how to support Black peers and speaking to kids about race.

We acknowledge the privilege that comes with being white therapists and embrace the fact that we don’t have all the answers. We’re learning and listening alongside you.

Regardless of where you are on your antiracist journey — whether you are just beginning today or have been engaged for weeks, months, years, or a lifetime — we encourage you to check out Let’s get to the root of racial injustice, a TEDx Talk by Megan Francis, Associate Professor at Harvard and the University of Washington and author of the award winning book, Civil Rights and the Making of the Modern American State.

Stay engaged, stay present, and stay tuned for more posts in this series.

Disclaimer

This site is for information only. It is not therapy. This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise, provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local emergency number.

For referral information about our services, please click here or see our contact page on our website.

June 10, 2020