Lauren Formy-Duval, Psy.D., PLLC

08/20/2021

Now more than ever we need extend patience and grace not only to others, but to ourselves as well!

05/19/2021

Being a target of sexual assault is not your fault. Remember, it’s not that others have a right to touch your body until you say no. It’s that no one has a right to touch your body until you say yes.

04/29/2021

My new website is now live! Check it out! lfdpsychology.com

03/26/2021

Just an FYI that my business webpage is down for construction as I switch platforms. Some practice information is available in my Psychology Today profile. If you have any questions about my practice, please do not hesitate to send me an email at lformyduval@gmail.com.

03/06/2021

Parents of young children take note! This is an interesting read and highlights how our American culture’s need for efficiency might actually be backfiring in the long-term as our kids disengage with helping around the house. (I do want to note that I don’t love the word choice in the title of the story. A word like less collaborative or cooperative might have been better than bossy given the context of the whole story.)

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/03/05/974069925/are-we-raising-unhelpful-bossy-kids-heres-the-fix?utm_term=nprnews&utm_campaign=npr&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR1lLk1xYUgabWB6EccCxYw9S4IxGmgs8_Lc7Jcz-8NQjDSJMScLzJU0aaY

In some cultures kids roll their eyes when asked to do chores. In others, they'll pitch in without even being asked. Researchers have identified two key practices to raise helpful children.

05/12/2020

The mental health of our children is vital and something to be taken seriously. Too often teen dysphoria is dismissed as just being part of being a teenager. One of the best things we can do as parents/helpers is to keep non-judgmental lines of communication open. Start early when kids are young and they are more likely to feel safe to talk as they get older. If your child/teen talks about their feelings, try not to jump in with solutions or minimization, but instead reflect and validate their experience, allowing them to lead the conversation.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Check out this infographic from The National Alliance on Mental Illness to learn more about the impact on mental illness in children and teens.

03/12/2020

With the current concerns regarding COVID-19 and potential quarantines, I want clients to know that my office is set up for telehealth and phone sessions if coming into the office is not an option. Telehealth services are insurance reimbursable and can reduce any concerns around interruptions in support during this understandably stressful time. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions regarding these (or other) office policies!

03/06/2020

Due to several factors, my colleague and I have decided to postpone this month's Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work seminar to a later date. If you have any questions or interest in a private workshop, please do not hesitate to reach out!

01/23/2020

This is a great post by NPR about some recommendations in starting therapy. We know that making that first connection can be the hardest part!

If the mere thought of going to therapy seems overwhelming, you're not alone. Plenty of people put off seeking therapy because of the stigma, cost and inconvenience. We've got four tips to help you make your first appointment.

01/13/2020

Contact me or Megan for registration details!

01/10/2020

I'm partnering up again with the fantastic Megan Stauffer to bring another Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work seminar on March 21st and 28th in Chapel Hill. Come join us to learn how to reduce conflict and experience more relationship satisfaction with your partner! More details will be coming soon.

01/09/2020

People often wonder how long therapy is "supposed" to take. Like so many things, the answer is that it depends. Sometimes people may enter therapy to focus on a narrow or time limited issue, such as focusing on a transition, like new parenthood or navigating a divorce. Other times people may have a more general focus such as lowering anxiety or depression, or a goal of changing some longstanding patterns and behaviors. Different concerns will take different amounts of time. Sometimes a therapy might be very brief- only a few sessions while another person's therapy might take several years. There is no "right" length of therapy other than the length that it takes for you and your therapist to feel that you have reached a place where you are comfortable stopping.
Have other questions about how therapy works? Let me know!

12/18/2019

I saw this today and it really resonates with the work we do- lasting change takes time!

It's a step-by-step, inch-by-inch revolution.

11/11/2019

Here's another of my book recommendation posts- "The Seven principles for Making Marriage Work" and "And Baby Makes Three" by John Gottman, Ph.D. and other authors. I have done extra training from the Gottman Institute and I really appreciate their research and the emphasis on relationship satisfaction. These books contain practical advice and topic specific quizzes to help you and your partner examine areas of strength and areas to grow in your relationship. Though 7P says marriage, the principles can be applied to any romantic partnership. (I include my disclaimer that I don't get any incentive from the authors to promote these products or the authors, I just think that they're a good read!) Have a subject you'd like me to address- comment below!

10/17/2019

Start using feelings words with your children as often as you can- it may seem a bit awkward at first, but helping our children feel heard and understood is a very powerful experience.

US Nanny Association - Morning Motivation

10/17/2019

I had a lot of fun tonight in the webinar hosted by US Nanny Association's Liz Malson! My take aways were to remind everyone that WHY kids do what they do is just as important as WHAT they are doing. Make sure to stop and connect to the feelings that are underneath our kids' behaviors and actions. Thanks to US Nanny Association for the invitation!

10/02/2019

I get many requests for book recommendations. I'm going to start periodically posting different recommendations on a variety of topics. For my first post, I highly recommend the writing of Dr. Daniel Siegel. He has several books including "The Whole Brain Child" and "Brainstorm" that I feel give a wonderful understanding of how emotional regulation develops and how to help foster that growth as a parent! Have a topic you'd like me to cover? -Comment here or send me a PM! (Disclaimer that I have no financial ties or connections to any of these books or authors.)

09/11/2019

Asking for help is one of the hardest things to do when you feel like you are in the bottom of a hole. Please know that help is out there!

What can you do when you fear someone you know may be considering su***de? It can feel daunting, but su***de prevention experts say we all can help someone at risk by reaching out and showing we care.