Ashburn Psychological Services

Understanding Parental Alienation: Challenges and Guidance for Parents Parental alienation is a deeply painful experience, both for the parent being alienated and for the child caught in the middle. At its core, parental alienation refers to behaviors by one parent that aim to damage or sever the bond between a child and the other parent. These behaviors often include manipulation, spreading false narratives, or portraying the other parent in a consistently negative light. The concept of parental alienation gained significant attention in the 1980s when psychiatrist, Richard Gardner, introduced the term “Parental Alienation Syndrome” (PAS). Gardner described it as a [...]

What To Do If You Received A Poorly Conducted Or Biased Custody Evaluation The custody evaluation process is a critical juncture in determining the living arrangements and parenting responsibilities for children following a separation and divorce. The fairness and accuracy of this evaluation is paramount, as the outcome can significantly impact the emotional and psychological well-being of the children involved. A poorly conducted or biased evaluation can lead to unjust outcomes, affecting the parent-child relationship for years to come. So, what are the main signs of a poorly conducted or biased custody evaluation? The evaluation [...]

The Power Of Patience: The Importance Of Guiding Your Teen Through Emotional Growth Without Losing Your Cool The teenage years are a critical period of emotional development.  During this time, teenagers experience rapid changes in their bodies, brains, and social environments. These changes can often lead to emotional turbulence, confusion and poor choices/behaviors. As a parent, understanding the developmental challenges faced by your teen is the first step to providing him or her helpful and loving guidance and support. While the teenage years can be a challenging parenting time, remember that your son or daughter is going through a lot [...]

Finding Greater Joy In 2024 By Doing The Opposite Personal growth and change can happen in all sorts of ways; and, while we usually think of doing more (e.g., exercise) or less (e.g., eating fewer calories or drinking less) as the most optimal ways to achieve our goals, perhaps simply shifting our mindset and doing things differently is a good approach to take for 2024. In the 1990’s television sitcom, Seinfeld, the episode, “The Opposite,” did a fantastic job of capturing the value and importance of getting out of one’s way for meaningful change to occur.  In the episode, George [...]

Coping with Empty Nest Syndrome: Finding New Purpose as Parents Transitioning into the "empty nest" phase of life as parents is a significant rite of passage. As your children leave home (often for college), a whirlwind of emotions can ensue. The empty space where there was once laughter, chatter, and occasional teenage drama in the home is suddenly filled with silence. That’s a lot for many parents to handle, and it's normal to feel sadness, loss, and even anxiety about this new chapter. However, it's essential to remember that this unavoidable phase of life also offers parents opportunities for personal [...]

Nurturing Soft Skills: A Guide for Today's Teenagers In our ever-evolving world, the emphasis on soft skills is increasing in all spheres of life. These personal attributes, which enable individuals to interact effectively, productively and harmoniously with others, are as valuable as technical skills -- for teenagers especially, soft skills lay the foundation for future success. To understand how well developed your teen’s soft skills are, ponder these questions.  How well does your teen handle social situations?  Is he or she polite and well-mannered?  Does he or she treat others with respect?  Is your teen an effective communicator?  Is he [...]