Ashburn Psychological Services

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 [...]

What is the Best Parenting Time Schedule for Special Needs Children? Divorce is difficult for children, and there is no question that it is especially hard on children with special needs; children who require additional assistance, supports and accommodations for disabilities that could be medical/physical, developmental or psychological.  At school, special needs children usually have an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) – a plan and/or program that is designed and implemented to support a disabled child’s specific elementary and secondary learning needs.  However, when it comes to divorce, there isn’t a universally agreed upon parenting time plan or program that attorneys [...]

If You Want To Live A Better 2023, Change Your Mindset There are several reasons why New Year’s Resolutions fail – the resolutions are too vague or grand, the approach lacks planning, structure and accountability, and essential things are missing (e.g., motivation, time, resources).  So, what can you do differently this year to maximize your success?  I recommend that you try focusing more on how you think about yourself in relation to a given goal over the actual desired results you’re wanting to achieve.  If you really want to change something meaningful about yourself, the best place to start is [...]