Robyn Cooper Psy.D.

05/18/2023

Not everybody who experiences a traumatic event goes on to develop PTSD. However, we sometimes don't understand how something affected us until a long time afterward, or it may take a long time for something to trigger symptoms. robynjcooperpsyd.com

05/12/2023

Time gives us an opportunity to heal from trauma, but the process may not be totally passive. Sometimes, we have to make an effort to develop new ways of thinking.

Time heals all wounds is a popular cliché, but is it actually true? We explain time's role in healing and why this saying is not entirely accurate.

05/09/2023

Some anxiety is helpful, but when it's being triggered in the wrong situations or constantly, the mechanism regulating it needs to be repaired. There are several ways of doing this that calm both body and mind.

Pathological anxiety is an intense form of anxiety, where a person may have irrational anxious reactions to certain situations that would not normally warrant anxiety. Learn more.

05/05/2023

Self-regulation goes beyond self-control. It's our ability to guide ourselves toward certain goals by caring for our emotional and mental health.

The ability to manage your emotions and behave in line with your values is called self-regulation. Learn strategies to develop self-regulatory skills.

05/02/2023

Sometimes performance anxiety means we feel motivated to do well. Whether anxiety is helpful or not may depend on how much we fear it.

Anxiety can spawn success or make it harder to succeed.

04/28/2023

Kids need opportunities to develop their decision-making skills before they're independent, and part of that is the risk they'll make a poor decision. But parents can still be supportive by helping their kids think through likely outcomes rationally. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-self-driven-child/202208/helping-kids-become-good-decision-makers

04/25/2023

The vast majority of people who suffer from depression show improvement with treatment. But treatments are easier and more effective when they are sought quickly.

Major depressive disorder causes sadness, loss of interest, and other serious impairments. Learn the symptoms, causes, and treatments of major depressive disorder.

04/21/2023

People with ADHD have heard a lot of negative things about themselves. But one of the valuable skills they can learn is how to internalize positive experiences, as well.

Shift your focus toward doing more of what works.

04/18/2023

Perfectionism often prevents us from getting tasks accomplished at all. But by creating systems for yourself and sticking to them, you can train yourself to feel satisfied with what you are able to do.

Here are easy, practical ways to relieve productivity stress.

04/14/2023

Anxiety is not unusual among children and teenagers. Experts now recommend additional screenings, some of which involve parent input.

Here’s what parents need to know.

04/11/2023

It's easier to get into the habit of stress management when you work techniques into preexisting parts of your schedule. For example, your commute could be a good time to check in with yourself.

Effectively managing stress at work requires daily practice.

04/07/2023

Anger and frustration are regulated by executive function, which people with ADHD struggle with. Cultivating a growth mindset is one of the ways to offset this.

ADHD and the Incredible Hulk: Understanding emotional dysregulation in ADHD.

04/04/2023

The behaviors we learn early in life when we don't have much power may not serve us as well once our situation changes. But establishing new behaviors may require professional help.

When fear rises, courage falls, which typically results in disappointment.

03/31/2023

Most people don't like being told what to do, and teens are no exception. But if there's a part of a person that wants to make a change you agree with, you can cultivate that part.

Getting to "yes," and getting them the treatment they need.

03/28/2023

Anger is a natural feeling and can be used positively. But many people think it's something inherently destructive.

How to develop a healthy relationship with anger, and why it's so misunderstood.

03/24/2023

Teens often struggle with procrastination, and those with ADHD are especially vulnerable. It often helps to split tasks into more manageable chunks.

Strategies for executive function disorder, ADHD, and procrastination.

03/21/2023

You don't need to have an anxiety disorder to feel stressed about specific situations. If work is something that's causing you a lot of trouble, there may be things you can do to make it easier for yourself.

Does the thought of work inspire nervousness and dread? You could be dealing with workplace anxiety. These tips can help you manage it.

03/17/2023

Teens' defensiveness often makes it difficult for them to understand correction. Although it may be necessary to intervene heavy-handedly in behavior that is dangerous, meaningful communication has to wait until we are calm.

The difference between talking with your teenager and just talking at them.