Basset Psychological Services

04/10/2026

We’re mixing things up around here

After 2 amazing years of TOP 5 Fridays, we’re hitting pause and trying something new!

Swipe through to see some of our favorite TOP 5 topics from the past couple of years. We’ve loved sharing these little snapshots of our team with you.

Now we’re excited to bring you fresh, fun ways to get to know the people behind the scenes. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see new weekly features highlighting our staff; their favorites, recommendations, personalities, and more.

We can’t wait to try something different with you… stay tuned.

04/10/2026

One of the most powerful things you can do is simply describe what they’re doing.

Instead of asking questions or giving directions, you narrate their play:
🧩 “You’re stacking the blocks so carefully.”
🚗 “You’re making the car go so fast!”
🎨 “You chose the blue crayon for that part.”

Why does this matter?
✨ It shows your child you’re fully present and paying attention
✨ It builds their confidence and encourages independence
✨ It supports language development by giving them words for their actions
✨ It strengthens your connection in a calm, positive way

You’re not leading the play—you’re joining their world. It’s simple, natural, and something you can start today 💛

04/10/2026

04/10/2026

Name the Feeling, Find the Place

A quick mindfulness + body awareness practice

Step 1: Name the feeling
Pause and ask yourself: What am I feeling right now?
Try to be specific (e.g., overwhelmed, frustrated, restless—not just “bad”).

Step 2: Find it in your body
Where do you feel it?
Tight chest, heavy shoulders, butterflies in your stomach, etc.

Step 3: Sit with it (no fixing)
Take 3–5 slow breaths and just notice the sensation. No need to change it—just observe.

Step 4: Add one gentle statement
“This feeling is here right now… and I can handle it.”

✨ This helps build emotional awareness, body connection, and reduces the urge to immediately react or “fix” the feeling.

04/03/2026

📺✨ TOP 5 Sitcom Dinner Guests ✨📺

This week is packed with iconic, hilarious, and unforgettable characters! At the heart of so many sitcoms is something deeply human: friendship.
💛 Strong social connections are essential for well-being. They help us:
Feel supported and understood
Increase happiness and reduce stress
Build resilience during difficult times

Even when life gets busy, stressful, or overwhelming, making time to connect, whether it’s a dinner, a quick check-in, or sharing a laugh, matters more than we often realize.

Connection doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be intentional. ✨

04/02/2026

You're welcome.

04/02/2026

Playtime is more than just fun. It’s a powerful opportunity to build your child’s confidence

In Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), we focus on specific praise and it makes a BIG difference.

Instead of: “Good job!” Try:
“I love how gently you’re playing with your toys.”
“You did a great job sharing with me.”
“Thank you for using your listening ears!”

Why does this matter?
✨ It tells your child exactly what they did right
✨ It increases the behaviors you want to see more of
✨ It builds self-esteem and strengthens your connection
✨ It helps build language by introducing new words and modeling clear sentences

Children learn best through what they hear every day. When you use specific praise, you’re not just encouraging behavior—you’re helping grow their vocabulary and communication skills too.

Next time you’re playing together, challenge yourself to be specific—you might be surprised how powerful your words can be.

03/30/2026

Smell the Flower, Blow Out the Candle

This simple breathing exercise is a favorite for kids, and for good reason. It turns deep breathing into something they can easily understand and remember.

Have your child:

🌸 “Smell the flower” (slow, deep breath in through the nose)
🕯️ “Blow out the candle” (slow breath out through the mouth)

Repeat a few times, keeping the breaths slow and gentle.

💡 Tips for younger kids:
• Use your hands as props (one hand = flower, one = candle)
• Practice when they’re calm so it’s easier to use when upset
• Keep it playful, pretend it’s their favorite flower or a birthday candle
• Do it together to model the pace of breathing
• Start with just 2–3 breaths and build from there

🌱 Benefits:
• Helps calm big emotions (anger, frustration, anxiety)
• Slows the body and breathing
• Builds self-regulation skills
• Gives kids a simple tool they can use anywhere

Sometimes the best coping skills are the simplest ones 💛

03/27/2026

✨🐉 TOP 5 Mythical Creatures 🧜‍♀️🦄

✨ Fire-breathing dragons, magical unicorns, brave heroes, and epic characters! Our TOP 5 list this week sparks curiosity, wonder, and imagination!

Did you know that when kids use their imagination, they’re actually building critical developmental skills:
🧠 Problem-solving
🎭 Emotional expression
📖 Storytelling and language
🤝 Social understanding

Imaginative play gives kids a safe space to explore big feelings, try out new roles, and make sense of the world around them.

So whether your child is pretending to be a brave knight, a mischievous dragon, or a magical creature of their own creation, lean into it. Ask questions, join the story, and let their creativity lead the way.

✨ And if playtime has started to feel more stressful than fun, we’re here to help support your family in building connection and joy again. 💛

03/27/2026

Supporting Young Minds, Empowering Families

At Basset Psychological Services, we specialize in compassionate, evidence-based mental health care for children, adolescents, and young adults in the Cincinnati area. Our dedicated team offers:
🧠 Individual & Family Therapy
👨‍👩‍👧 Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
📊 Psychological Evaluations
💬 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Located in Madeira, our warm and welcoming environment is designed to make therapy a positive experience for your family.

We understand that seeking help can be daunting, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Take the first step towards a healthier, happier future. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment.

03/27/2026

An adorable squishy face from Miles Davis to bring joy to your Friday! Have a good weekend!

03/23/2026

🌿 Mindfulness: Listening Walk 👂

A listening walk is a simple way to help kids slow down and tune into the world around them.

Instead of talking, children focus on what they can hear—birds, footsteps, the wind, distant sounds, or even their own breathing. This helps shift their attention away from distractions and into the present moment.

💡 Tips for younger kids:
• Keep it short (1–3 minutes is plenty!)
• Start by naming a few sounds together
• Turn it into a game: “How many sounds can we hear?”
• Use a visual cue (like a finger over lips) to remind them it’s quiet time
• Let them share what they noticed afterward

🌱 Benefits:
• Improves focus and attention
• Builds body and sensory awareness
• Helps calm the nervous system
• Encourages curiosity and observation
• Supports emotional regulation

Mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated—sometimes it’s as simple as taking a quiet walk and really listening.