Phyllis Tobias, MSW, LICSW, ACSW

10/11/2025

10/11/2025

3. A change in their voice.

10/07/2025

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10/07/2025

It's not a matter of if, but when you're tween or teen will get a cell phone. If you're concerned about how they'll handle the responsibility and protecting their safety then before you hand over that phone cell go over this phone contract and rules for teens with them.

10/06/2025

It's a new week, make it yours! 💗

10/05/2025

"Nearly half of domestic abuse survivors delay leaving dangerous situations because they don’t want to abandon their pets. That’s why actress Mariska Hargitay partnered with the , to make sure pets are welcome in shelters so that no one has to choose between their safety and their beloved animals." - via The Female Quotient

The fear the many women in abusive situations have for their pets is well-founded: over 70% of pet owners entering domestic violence shelters report that their abuser had threatened, injured, or killed family pets as a means of control. As of 2024, however, the Domestic Violence Services Network reports that only about 15 percent of domestic violence shelters accept pets.

The Purple Leash Project, a partnership between Purina and RedRover, a non-profit organization that helps people care for their pets during crisis situations, works to make domestic violence shelters pet-friendly so survivors don't have to choose between their safety and their pets. You can help by supporting organizations like RedRover, spreading awareness, or advocating for pet-friendly policies at local shelters.

To learn more or to give to RedRover so more survivors can find safety with their pets, visit https://redrover.org/ways-to-give/

For an excellent book for older teens and adults about the early warning signs of abusive relationships, myths about abusive personalities, and how to get help, we highly recommend "Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men" at https://www.amightygirl.com/why-does-he-do-that

For two excellent books about a tween girls' experience with sexual harassment - both for 10 and up - check out "Maybe He Just Likes You" (https://www.amightygirl.com/maybe-he-just-likes-you) and "That's What Friends Do" (https://www.amightygirl.com/that-s-what-friends-do)

To teach younger children -- girls and boys alike -- about asserting their own boundaries and respecting the boundaries of others, we highly recommend "Let's Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent, and Respect" for ages 4 to 7 (https://www.amightygirl.com/body-boundaries) and "Consent (for Kids!)" for ages 6 to 10 (https://www.amightygirl.com/consent-for-kids)

And if you’re a parent concerned that your daughter may be in an unhealthy relationship, check out the books “But I Love Him: Protecting Your Teen Daughter from Controlling, Abusive Relationships” (https://www.amightygirl.com/but-i-love-him) and “Saving Beauty From The Beast: How to Protect Your Daughter from an Unhealthy Relationship” (https://www.amightygirl.com/saving-beauty-from-the-beast)

10/03/2025

Today is World Smile Day, and while sharing a smile is a great way to show kindness to others, we also want to highlight being kind to yourself!

Click below to read more about the importance of self-compassion:
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/self-compassion

10/03/2025

Instead of fetishizing authenticity, cherish maturity.

10/03/2025

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10/01/2025

Science confirms that highly sensitive people have increased physical reactions to the emotions of those around them.