Tips for new dads. How new dads can find purpose and meaning in the early days of having a new baby. Often new dads feel left out or that there’s not much that is clearly for them to do which can cause uncertainty and helplessness. Here are five tips for feeling purposeful and helpful in the new parenting stage.
Read MoreThird Culture Kids (and Adults) and Mental Health
Written by Dr. Ale Feliz at The Centered Space Psychology Group
Read MoreComplex chemical, neurobiological, social and logistical changes take place during the perinatal period. Scientists are now understanding matrescence, the process of becoming a mother, as an important developmental stage. The changes during this period naturally lead to challenges and difficulties as well as opportunities and rewarding and meaningful achievements. Treatment for perinatal mental health including anxiety, depression, and OCD is discussed.
Read MoreHow to find a therapist - Dr. Alejandra Feliz shares considerations for hiring a psychologist or other therapist.
Read MorePerimenopause is a process that is normal but that doesn’t mean you don’t need support. Just like other times when the body is changing rapidly and hormone shifts are occurring, you may need support, therapy, friends to talk to, and possibly medication, to get through it optimally.
By Erica Langer, PsyD
Read MoreEmotion Focused Therapy (EFT) is a research-backed way to improve your relationship satisfaction. Couples who engage in EFT therapy report increased relationship satisfaction over a sustained length of time after treatment. Psychologist at The Centered Space, Dr. Alejandra Feliz, works with individuals, couples, and families using EFT and other techniques to bring lasting change and improvement to her clients.
Read MoreMore and more frequently parents are suffering from overwhelm and exhaustion. The burnout is real, and it’s being discussed by our friends, family, and clientele more and more often. We regularly support pregnant and postpartum clients, including special needs parents or new parents. Taking time for yourself, especially when it feels the hardest, is so important. Here are four critical steps to take if you identify as an overwhelmed mom or exhausted parent. Please reach out if you are needing support with your pregnancy or postpartum concerns.
Read MoreOver the last few weeks, I've heard patients, friends and family discuss the war in the Middle East. Regardless of political views, people are feeling sad, fearful, angry.....and guilty. A psychologist writes about why feeling guilty isn’t a real feeling, and how to reprioritize your self-care needs.
By Erica Langer, PsyD
Read MoreAcceptance and Commitment therapy is a style of therapy that helps you find willingness to experience emotions, so that more of your energy can focus on things that matter in your life. What if you could learn to put down the shovel and stop digging, and instead focusing on living better?
by Alejandra Feliz, PsyD
Read MoreWe get it: change is hard. Whether you're hauling your life across the country, mending a broken heart, or clocking in at a new job, navigating the waters of change can be overwhelming. Here at The Centered Space, we hope to lend you a hand as you move through life's transitions. Here are five ways to cope with big changes.
By Alejandra Feliz, PsyD
Read MorePerimenopause is a transitional time that often begins in a woman’s late 30s or early 40s and lasts until menopause. One is officially in menopause after 12 consecutive months without a period. On average, during perimenopause the monthly cycle will be disrupted and gradually lengthen out for a period of months or years before it stops completely. During this time, hormones including estrogen and progesterone are dropping, which subsequently leads to decreases in serotonin, disruptions in sleep, and can increase feelings of sadness and anxiety. In fact, some women may be diagnosed with depression or anxiety for the first time during perimenopause, not only due to biological changes but also because this is often one of the busiest times in a woman’s life between family and work responsibilities.
Read MorePostdoctoral fellow Dr. Erica Langer writes about getting a diagnosis of ASD for her son and her 6 best tips for coping when your child gets a diagnosis of Autism or other special needs.
Read MorePostpartum depression in dads is more common than you might think
Even though most people have heard of postpartum depression and anxiety, you may not know that non-birthing parents can experience it also. In fact, at least 1 in 10 dads experience postpartum depression, and it is believed that that number is underreported.
Read MoreYou might be hearing a lot about PMADs (or Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders) right now due to recent events in the news. PMADs are the leading complication of pregnancy and yet they have been mostly ignored and only the most extreme cases are talked about, even though at least 1 in 10 fathers and 1 in 5 mothers will experience a PMAD. The good news is that PMADs are highly treatable and with the right help, you will be well!
Read MoreMost new parents know sleep is going to be difficult in the initial postpartum phase, but did you know there are some simple steps you and your partner can take to mitigate risks to your health and overall functioning? Read on for the science behind fascinating brain changes during motherhood, and some simple plans you can make to improve your sleep.
Read MoreCoping tips for a difficult birth or pregnancy, by Erica Langer, Psy.D.
Read MoreThere isn’t enough support for mothers (or parents really!) in this country. Whether we are talking about government policies, paid maternity leave, emotional understanding, or community - it’s all part of the same systemic lack of support. Everywhere you look, you will see reasons why moms feel so stressed: the stay at home mother whose work isn’t valued, the boss who sees maternity leave as a nuisance, even the way friends sometimes don’t know how to offer support and stay quiet.
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