Dr Stacey Cohen-Meissner, NY & NJ Licensed Psychologist

10/22/2019

www.AlpinePsych.com

At Alpine Psych Solutions we offer compassionate care in a comfortable, discrete environment at multiple locations.  With over 18 years of clinical experience, we provide advanced psychiatric and psychological treatment to our patients; our philosophy is that treatment must not only consist of reli...

09/27/2019

This video is about stacey on oz

09/27/2019

Talking mental health concerns and red flags with Dr. Oz.

This video is about stacey on oz

09/01/2019

Talking with Dr. Oz .... Mental Health Warning Signs / Red Flag Laws.

08/10/2016

Addiction Dr. works with addicted youth by recording original music and collaborating with the non-profit organization Road Recovery.

06/19/2016

Now forming adolescent and young adult groups focused on social anxiety and academic anxiety. Email me at stacey@rpptherapy.com for more information and to secure a spot for yourself or your child.

01/08/2016

Does Your Child Have a Learning Disability?
3 Simple Signs To Look For

Many of us have wondered if our child has a learning disability. So what is a learning disability? In simple terms a learning disability applies to a student who has average or above average intelligence and yet struggles in one or more subject areas. Learning disabilities can affect reading, writing and/or math. A learning disability in no way implies that your kiddo is not smart!!! It is true that Albert Einstein had a learning disability.
It can be difficult to acknowledge any imperfection in our
perfect little off springs. But it is oh so important to get our kids the help they need as early as possible, if a learning disability is present. Most kids, with some help, and an early diagnosis, can learn to compensate for any learning issues they may have and go on to go the great colleges we dream of for them. So even if your child has a learning disability don’t stop encouraging them to strive for greatness and don’t let your dreams of Duke or Michigan fall by the wayside!!

So how do you know if your child has a potential Learning Disability, requiring testing:
1- They are of average intelligence or above. Your child is age appropriate in terms of social functioning, self-care, and a general understanding of the world around them. In other words they are fittingly sassy with you but act appropriately in social situations and take care of themselves on an age appropriate level.
2- They are struggling with a specific subject or type of learning in school. So for example, a “smart” kid is unable to achieve age appropriate reading levels or is unable to master math at grade level standards, despite reasonable effort.
3- Look for excessive amounts of time to get homework done.
For example, an assignment that would be expected to take 30
minutes drags well into the evening.

So, if your child fits this profile, a full psychoeducational testing is worthwhile. If the results are consistent with a Learning Disorder you will get them the help they need early on, in school and or out of school. They will then learn to compensate for their difficulties. Your child may need testing modifications, such as extra time on tests or words read aloud to them during testing. Getting them the help they need early on will avoid frustration and keep them interested in learning. It will also help maintain your own sanity and give you an understanding of their frustrations.

Dr. Cohen-Meissner conducts thorough psychoeducational testing for students ages 6 – 16 years in her office in Tenafly. Call for a free phone consultation (201) 286-1601.

01/02/2016

DR. STACEY COHEN-MEISSNER
NJ & NY LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST
30 RIVEREDGE ROAD
TENAFLY, N.J. 07670
(201) 286-1601
stacey@rpptherapy.com

5 TIPS FOR MOMS
SURVIVING YOUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER

Do you have days when you feel like it is almost impossible to parent your teenage daughter? Well then you are not alone! There are so many variables that make the mother daughter relationship especially trying during the teenage years. Our teenage daughters are really attempting to emulate us, yet assert their independence at the same time. The problem with them asserting their independence is that their brains are not fully developed and neither is their decision making ability.
They are trying to figure out who they are socially and academically. Teenage girls today face the enormous emotional stressor of social media. They live in a world full of perfectly posed and well-edited pictures. What we are left to deal with is their confusion and social pressure, along with hormones, which just add to the volatility of this age. So what can we do to survive this difficulty time with our daughters and parent most effectively? Although there are days when most of us would like to send them to a convent until they are 21 years old, this is usually not an option.

Here are a few simple tips to help you maintain your sanity and be the most effective parent you can to your teenage girl:

1) Don’t argue with your teenage daughter. You probably won’t win the argument and it will only drain your energy. If you feel like you are becoming engaged in a heated debate with your teen, give yourself a time out. Leave the situation for a few minutes to collect your thoughts. There should be no arguments (this is obviously a goal and not going to be easy!). You’re the parent. You are in charge. While it is always a good idea to make your daughter feel heard, there are no debates over house rules and boundaries.

2) Put on protective armor. If you are parenting effectively you will likely hear some choice words from your teenage daughter from time to time. “I hate you, your ruining my life, etc.”. They don’t mean what they are saying and will often tell you as much at a later date. Don’t take it to heart. These words generally mean you are setting appropriate boundaries and rules. Your daughter may not like you but that is ok! Keeping your daughter as safe as you can is the priority.

3) Trust your gut!!! If your inner voice is telling you that something is off with a plan your daughter has or a situation she may be involved in, you are probably right. Don’t spend time agonizing within your own head, act on your feelings. Go pick your daughter up from a party if you are not feeling comfortable. Check text messages or emails if you need to. While our teenagers are living with us and we are paying for their phones, etc., they don’t have any inherent right to privacy. We have the right and the parental duty to keep them safe.

4)Keep your own self-statements and thoughts positive. What you say to yourself determines how you feel. Remind yourself that this shall too pass and the likelihood is that the little girl we adored will emerge a lovely young lady at the end of adolescence. Tell yourself you will get through this time period successfully and with grace, even if you don’t believe it all the time.

5) Remember to tell your teenage daughter how much you love her!! (even though it might be difficult to feel this love much of the time) This expression of love will make you both feel better, even if it doesn’t result in obvious or immediate results. It will make you feel good to remind yourself and your teen that all you do for her is out of love. She will hear you, even if her headphones are on!

If you need help parenting your teenage daughter call (201) 286-1601 for a free consultation.

03/23/2015

“Too many people are unaware that it is not outer events or circumstances that will create happiness; rather, it is our perception of events and of ourselves that will create, or uncreate, positive emotions.”
― Albert Ellis, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy