Boston Counseling Therapy » 2009 » April

Thrive Boston Therapy Published in Major Boston Parenting Magazine

admin — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:56:55 +0000

Dr. Anthony Cenotore, Director of Thrive Boston Therapy Services, was published this week in a popular Boston-based parenting magazine “Parents and Kids.”

The article is titled “Parenting During Difficult Financial Times” and addressed steps parents can take to keep relationship with their kids strong when the family if expereincing above-normal financial stress.

Here is an excerpt from the published article:
“Kids cost money. School clothes, cell phones, video games, baseball, girl scouts, daycare, music lessons, karate, field trips, birthday gifts, 5 meals a day, braces, contacts, car insurance, and the list goes on.

If you’re feeling the pinch of the rising cost of parenting and a tighter budget, you’re not alone….”

Click here to read the complete article on this therapy blog: http://thriveboston.com/counseling/parenting-during-difficult-financial-times-boston-child-therapy-and-parenting-information/

Click here to read the article on the Wicked Local Parents website: http://www.wickedlocalparents.com/content/parentingduringdifficultfinancialtimes

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Boston Therapy Groups– and Group Therapy in Cambridge, MA

admin — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:51:15 +0000

Group Therapy is in high demand in Boston, MA and Cambridge, MA.

To respond to the many requests we have received for Group Therapy services, Thrive Boston Counseling now offers Therapy groups for a variety of life issues, including:

Women’s Issues Boston Therapy Group (and Cambridge Therapy Group)
Men’s Issues Boston Therapy Group (and Cambridge Therapy Group)
Sexual / Pornography Addiction Boston Therapy Group (and Cambridge Therapy Group)
Substance Abuse Boston Therapy Group (and Cambridge Therapy Group)
Parenting Skills Boston Therapy Group (and Cambridge Therapy Group)

Don’t see a group that works for you? We have new groups starting all the time. Call us, and let us know what specific therapy group you would like to see offered.

For more information, visit the official Boston Group Therapy webpage at:

http://www.thriveboston.com/boston-therapy-groups-cambridge-group-therapy.html

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Reporting Child Abuse in Massachusetts

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:53:11 +0000

If you suspect child abuse, but are unsure, you may be on the fence about whether making a report in necessary. It is always best practice to file, even if you are unsure about whether reporting is necessary in any specific situation.

To make a report, call The Department of Children and Families (DCF) Hotline anytime of the day or night at 800-792-5200. Follow their instructions.

Child Abuse/Neglect Warning Signs

Signs of Physical Abuse

· Bruising, welts or burns that cannot be sufficiently explained; particularly bruises on the face, lips, and mouth

· Withdrawn, fearful or extreme behavior;

· Clusters of bruises, welts or burns, indicating repeated contact with a hand or instrument;

· Burns that are insufficiently explained; for example, cigarette burns; and

· Injuries on children where children don’t usually get injured (e.g., the torso, back neck buttocks, or thighs).

Signs of Sexual Abuse

· Difficulty walking or sitting;

· Pain or itching in the genital area;

· Torn, stained or bloody underclothing;

· Frequent complaints of stomachaches or headaches;

· Feeling threatened by physical contact;

· Inappropriate sex play or premature understanding of sex; and

· Frequent urinary or yeast infections.

Signs of Emotional Injury

· Speech disorders;

· Inability to play as most children do;

· Sleeping problems;

· Anti-social behavior or behavioral extremes; and

· Delays in emotional and intellectual growth.

Signs of Neglect

· Lack of medical or dental care;

· Chronically dirty or unbathed;

· Lack of adequate school attendance;

· Lack of supervision; for example young children left unattended or with other children too young to protect or care for them;

· Lack of proper nutrition;

· Lack of adequate shelter;

· Self-destructive feelings or behavior; and

· Alcohol or drug abuse.

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Boston Depression Therapy – Depression Counseling Tips

admin — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:49:33 +0000

Boston Depression Therapy, Depression Counseling in Cambridge, MA 02139

617-395-5806

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Boston Anger Therapy – Counseling Tips for Overcoming Anger

admin — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:44:58 +0000

Boston Anger Therapy, Anger Management in Cambridge, MA

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Parenting During Difficult Financial Times – Boston Child Therapy and Parenting Information

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:18:54 +0000

Kids cost money. School clothes, cell phones, video games, baseball, girl scouts, daycare, music lessons, karate, field trips, birthday gifts, 5 meals a day, braces, contacts, car insurance, and the list goes on.

If you’re feeling the pinch of the rising cost of parenting and a tighter budget, you’re not alone. Parents today face a financial balancing act that may bring feelings that range from guilt to panic. Many say that they are unable to meet the financial “demands” of their kids. “It’s not about greed,” one Boston-based parent says, “I worry that if my kid has less, she will have limited opportunity to pursue her dreams, her happiness, and might struggle socially with other kids at school.”

Today, the question on parents’ minds is “how do we maximize our children’s chances at success without driving the family budget into the ground?” Here’s how you can start…

Build Your Relationship with Your Kids

The average kids receives approximately 2000 commands a day: wake up, get dressed, eat your breakfast, get your shoes, put on your shoes, tie your shoes, get your coat, and hurry up. While many of these commands are necessary, they also stress and can harm the parent-child relationship. During stressful times, good parents can become “bad bosses” by, without realizing it, INCREASING the amount of demands they give.

I often advise parents to spend some time one-on-one with their kids every day (as little as 20 minutes) when they give no commands—let’s call it “free time.” During “free time,” the child chooses and directs an interactive activity to do with their parent (anything except TV). The parent can participate, comment, encourage, and respond to their child–but not give a single command. This is remarkably difficult for most parents, many give commands without noticing it (i.e., Bella, pass me that Lego!). While challenging, mastering the skill of “free time” will counter some of the relationship stress caused from the 2000 commands a day, and help to strengthen the parent-child relationship.

Talk about Money

The budget needs to change. While unpleasant, this can be a learning opportunity for your child if he or she is brought into the discussion (Note: the child’s age and maturity will determine how much they can be included).

First, stress to your child the things that WILL NOT change. You still love them, they are safe, everyone is healthy, etc. Then, tell your child in a way he/she will understand that there is less money, and what that means for the family. Include them in some of the decisions that affect them. This will feel more fair to them then hearing a series of “No, no, nos” when they ask for things.

Next, give them the opportunity to brainstorm solutions with regard to the gap between what they want, and what the family can afford. Even a younger child can begin to prioritize—“football camp, not Nintendo.” An older child might get a part-time job to pay for some desired luxuries. Your kids might come up with creative ways to get the goods they want, such as go online where things you were paying for, retail, may be available at a discount.

Parenting Success!

As a therapist, I sometimes hear a client say, “Growing up I had everything, except for my parents.” This client is always worse off than the client that says “We didn’t have much but we had each other.” Remember, parenting is not about “stuff” – it is your relationship that equips your kids with what they need to be successful in life.

Author:

Dr. Anthony Centore is Founder of, and Therapist at, Thrive Boston Counseling in Cambridge, MA. Visit: www.ThriveBoston.com

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