Parenting Advice Blog - Alicia H. Clark PsyD | Washington, DC

Does Marijuana Help With Anxiety Or Is This A Myth We’re Just Hoping is True?

Alicia H. Clark, PsyD — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 18:42:47 +0000

Marijuana and anxiety: Advice for parents and caregivers As an anxiety clinician, I have witnessed firsthand what the research shows: anxiety rates are rising. As such, I am often approached by people looking for new ways to manage their worries. As marijuana legalization has gained traction throughout the US, along with hopes for its untapped…

The post Does Marijuana Help With Anxiety Or Is This A Myth We’re Just Hoping is True? appeared first on Alicia H. Clark PsyD.

What Is Teenage Angst & When To Be Concerned From A Psychologist Who Knows

Alicia H. Clark, PsyD — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:29:13 +0000

If you’re the parent of a teen, chances are you have had plenty of occasions to feel frustrated, confused and worried about how s/he is behaving. That is just how parenting teens goes – as they struggle, we do too. The pandemic brought myriad parental challenges from distance learning to social isolation, and we got…

The post What Is Teenage Angst & When To Be Concerned From A Psychologist Who Knows appeared first on Alicia H. Clark PsyD.

How to Help Someone With Anxiety About the Unknown

Alicia H. Clark, PsyD — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 17:43:56 +0000

It isn’t always easy to know how to help someone with anxiety, especially when we are sharing the same worries and concerns. When it comes to the unknowns in life, we have all had our fair share of facing and dealing with them. Global conflicts, pandemic lockdowns, loss, layoffs, and more. The worry about those…

The post How to Help Someone With Anxiety About the Unknown appeared first on Alicia H. Clark PsyD.

How To Know If Your Teen Has Anxiety Or Depression

Alicia H. Clark, PsyD — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 17:32:47 +0000

Our number one goal as parents is to raise happy and mentally healthy kids; but this can be harder than we might expect, especially when it comes to helping our kids avoid anxiety or depression. In our achievement-oriented society teens feel a lot of pressure to be what others expect them to be, that can…

The post How To Know If Your Teen Has Anxiety Or Depression appeared first on Alicia H. Clark PsyD.

Is Your Kid’s Fear Of Failure Stopping Them From Trying New Things? Try This.

Alicia H. Clark, PsyD — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 17:11:49 +0000

It can be heartbreaking to watch your kid lose out on opportunities because their fear of failure stops them from trying new things. You see their fear and know from your own experience that if they just gave it a try, they would feel SO much better… But when your kid is overrun by fear,…

The post Is Your Kid’s Fear Of Failure Stopping Them From Trying New Things? Try This. appeared first on Alicia H. Clark PsyD.

Social Dilemma: Should My Kid Have a Smartphone?

Alicia H. Clark, PsyD — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 14:57:21 +0000

As a parent, you may have wondered: Am I making a mistake letting my kid have a smartphone? This question became all the more prominent after Netflix released The Social Dilemma, a documentary about the impetus behind Google and social media, just last month. Its message: Social media is programmed to keep us engaged so…

The post Social Dilemma: Should My Kid Have a Smartphone? appeared first on Alicia H. Clark PsyD.

How Can I Stop My Intrusive Thoughts Of Worry?

Alicia H. Clark, PsyD — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 17:13:24 +0000

Feel like your COVID-19 life is one big “What if?” One big uncertainty, right? The uncertainty breeds worry. Which breeds intrusive thoughts about said worries. Perhaps you relate to some or all of the below: What if I contract coronavirus on the subway… Will our teens miss out on milestone school events – like football…

The post How Can I Stop My Intrusive Thoughts Of Worry? appeared first on Alicia H. Clark PsyD.

How To Stop Feeling Guilty That You’re Screwing Up Your Anxious Kid (You’re Not)

Alicia H. Clark, PsyD — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 17:47:17 +0000

As a parent, it isn’t always easy to know how to stop feeling guilty especially when it comes to our children, and seeing them overwhelmed with anxiety. Not only do you blame yourself when you see them distraught, you worry about screwing them up further by responding the “wrong” way. In feeling so much guilt…

The post How To Stop Feeling Guilty That You’re Screwing Up Your Anxious Kid (You’re Not) appeared first on Alicia H. Clark PsyD.

Should My Child Return To School This Fall? 5 Steps To Help Parents Make A Good Decision

Alicia H. Clark, PsyD — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 14:16:03 +0000

Back-to-school is coming on fast and schools are working hard to comply with various guidelines for reopening. Whether you are getting word about what your school system’s plan is, or you are deciding whether to re enroll your college student, pressure is mounting to make the right decision. With so many parents asking themselves should…

The post Should My Child Return To School This Fall? 5 Steps To Help Parents Make A Good Decision appeared first on Alicia H. Clark PsyD.

Father’s Day: What Dad Really Wants This Year

Alicia H. Clark, PsyD — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 23:15:58 +0000

Moms and kids, this year you scratched your heads, wondering what dad really wants for Father’s Day. While you might scratch your head on this question every year, you’re especially wondering this year since – due to COVID-19 restrictions – many of the usual destination options are out. Sure, you can order something online (there’s…

The post Father’s Day: What Dad Really Wants This Year appeared first on Alicia H. Clark PsyD.