Margaret Sue Perlstein Marriage & Family Therapist

08/18/2021

Miss Biles’ actions set a new example for overachievers everywhere. Despite the unbelievable pressure she was under and the eyes of the world upon her, she took an exit ramp off the fast track to care for herself... .
To read more about how important Miss Biles' example is for our vulnerable teens, read here:

Teens need help managing their self-expectations and their stress. Here are some tips with a huge thanks to Simone Biles and the example she set!

07/15/2020

"We can be our own worst critics and fail to see how valuable we are and how important our own processes are when they don’t look like what everyone else is doing..."

Read more on my latest blog.

Sometimes self-criticism can be motivating, providing the energy and resolve to pursue changes in ourselves so that we can become the person we intend to be.

05/11/2020

" It seems as though, if we are healthy and our family is healthy, we must sweep our struggles under a rug of gratitude, we have no right to complain because our boat is steady, so instead we deny our reality and use gratitude as a defense against our true feelings."

Controversial idea? Maybe. Read more here and let me know your thoughts!

If we are healthy we must sweep our struggles under a rug of gratitude, we deny our reality and use gratitude as a defense against our true feelings.

03/20/2020

Ok dear friends, I'd like to give you a bit of a self-care list for these challenging times. Here goes:
1. Breathe
2. Go outside and walk and enjoy the spring. Just do so in a safe manner at a safe distance from others
3. Talk to people, reach out. We all need each other right now.
4. Drop your judgment - of yourself and others. How each of us navigates this crisis is our own to figure out
5. When you can, use video chat opportunities.
6. Drop some dance moves - no one is watching anyway!
7. Engage in something creative - poetry, journaling, sketching, painting, singing, dancing
8. Tackle a pile - you'll feel good about it
9 Think of what your grateful for
10. look at old photos

Please, please if you are having a rough time, feel free to call me or another therapist. Most of us have been on a fast learning curve to provide HIPAA compliant tele mental health services. Feeling crazy sometimes is the new(?) normal and talking it out, even just a couple of times, might help you get grounded. Sending love out there to you all.

03/03/2020

I'm so excited to speak at this event! Please sign up if you can join me for this!

LLM BBSS: Parenting with Connection in the Age of Distraction

01/28/2020

"Disappointments and setbacks come with being human but we can sometimes struggle with our resilience in the face of them. While a pause to get one’s bearings might be warranted, staying stuck is unhealthy."

To read more, check out my latest blog post:

Margaret Sue Perlstein, MFT, of Corte Madera shares her thoughts on adult and teen therapy.

07/02/2019

Re-posting this moving and important article here.

As a community grieves the loss of two of its students, there are hopes that their stories can be a warning to others.

06/11/2019

A wonderful new resource!

How have other people survived suicidal thoughts? Explore videos of peoples' journeys using different strategies to reduce suffering. tweet watch videos

06/06/2019

Time to de-stigmatize our mental health issues that leave so many of us feeling alone with their pain.

Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner talks to Dr. Jennifer Ashton about his brother.

05/16/2019

Over the years I've worked with many folks struggling with these dark thoughts and many people who were left behind when friends, acquaintances, and loved ones lost their battles with pain and depression.

Please reach out if you are suffering. We need to hold each other up.

Su***de is a death like no other

05/03/2019

Do you live in San Rafael?
There’s been some upheaval at San Rafael City Schools resulting in the dismissal of the superintendent after this school year. One criticism of him is that many of the lower socio-economic kids have not been performing well or even near grade level standards. I'm not going into the politics of the situation, however I have spoken to the Davidson Middle School principal about their need for volunteers to mentor kids and help them with their schoolwork. He would be extremely grateful for help from the community. Many of these kids would do much better if they had a consistent, caring person to guide them and help with their homework. I've been the director of the Community Institute for Psychotherapy's Schools Outreach program for three years now and I know that homework help with a consistent, caring adult would significantly decrease the levels of anxiety and depression I'm seeing in these kiddos. Can you help? Davidson works with 10,000 Degrees, an organization that trains volunteers and supports them. They ask for 2 hours/week for the entire school year so they can match you with one or two kids who need help. Their contact information is below. Please consider giving a couple of hours of your time to help the kids. Some training is involved so we are trying to get a corps of volunteers so we can get ready for next year. Please contact 10,000 Degrees at www.10000degrees.org/join-us/. Thank you!