This post was written by D. Houston (a pen name). She is the parent of a brilliant and creative client in my private practice and D describes herself this way: Mom to two kids, one on the spectrum. I’ve been home with them since they’ve been born. Homeschool teacher for 5 years. Butcher, baker, some time candlestick maker. World traveler. Truth seeker. “Mom, I think I am trans…” There are a lot of scenarios parents consider and mull over, but I suspect almost no one preps for this one.   ...read more

When your daughter enters her teen years, it can cause a lot of anxiety for parents. You know she will need to grow up eventually, but you worry that she is making risky choices. She may be hanging out with peers that you find unsavory or starting to talk, dress, and act differently. You might have caught her in a lie, uncovered a shameful secret, or discovered that she's been experimenting with drugs and alcohol. You worry about her grades, her safety, and her future. But when you are ...read more

You want to know more about your teen daughter's life so you can keep her accountable and keep her out of trouble. There are times when you need to step in, be the adult and set firm rules and boundaries. But sometimes, even when your daughter brings up a minor conflict or everyday situation, you might be responding in a way that erodes trust. Be sure you aren't making one of these common mistakes that often keep parents from building trust with their daughter. Instead, here are 4 ways you can ...read more

I was busy working on a behavior plan for a very fidgety 6th grade boy when I heard an assertive knock on my office door. This was the third time this week Sally had left class without permission to come talk to me. “Ms Ayad, how can I transfer schools? I really don’t think I can get a proper education here and none of the teachers know what they’re doing”, so began our 45 minute conversation. She often got fixated on one or two teachers, who despite their best efforts, could not find a good ...read more