I am a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in Leesburg, VA. I am also an author and public sp
Operating as usual
23/06/2021
I am thrilled to be nominated for the Loudoun’s Favorites for 2021! You have helped me in past, and I’m hopeful that you can help again! Follow the link and scroll through three pages to get to #79. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LoudounFavorites2021
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04/05/2020
ZOOM Parent Meeting May 6th at 7pm! tinyurl.com/y7o9pffy Communicating with your teen is a challenge, even on a good day. The challenges increase dramatically when we add the pressures of social distancing, online learning, and being around each other all the time. The Ryan Bartel Foundation is pleased to have Neil McNerney, Professional Counselor and Denisha Johnson, LCSW, both experts in understanding the teenage mind share with us how to deal with the frustrations, eye rolls, and raised voices that are bound to happen with such forced togetherness. Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/y7o9pffy
15/04/2020
In Loudoun County, VA, Wednesday is the first day of online learning with new material. Speaking as the person who literally wrote the book on Homework, my advice to parents of kids K-8 is: Don't worry about getting the work done. If you can get 30 minutes a day accomplished, that is amazing. It is not worth the frustration, arguments, and hurt feelings that will ensue by trying to implement a course of studies that was (heroically) put together at the last moment. The pressure on parents and students isn't worth it. Every kid will be in the same situation in September: Mushy brain with lots of relearning to do. If you have a kid that is motivated to work hard: Fantastic. Good for you. But for so many kids, online learning will be close to impossible. Kids with learning and emotional disabilities, ADHD, anxiety, depression, motivation, and oppositional disorder will struggle with this new reality. It's OK to cut them lots of slack. For high school students, the stakes might be a bit higher for certain classes, but again, everyone will be in the sane boat in September. It is not worth the conflict during these stressful times to force learning, especially those who were already struggling with school.
05/04/2020
Has the tension begun to set in at home? Do you wish you could be a better leader during this time? If so, please join me, Loudoun Mom Lucia Alami, and Suzie Bartel for a Zoom Webinar on how to deal with forced togetherness and how to not drive each other nuts! This will be our first live conversation for parents sponsored by The Ryan Bartel Foundation. Please take a moment to register below! https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/register/up0ode-urT4rlgt2-EynRQzZzzxDDK4sOA
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: How Families Can Cope Together . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Join us for an insightful, virtual panel discussion on how to cope during this period of forced togetherness, without annoying each other. Neil McNerney, Licensed Counselor and RBF Board member and Lucia Alami, Loudoun mom of 5, share experiences and perspectives on topics that include: Are there an...
There is quite a bit of info out there about how competitive college has become. This has skyrocketed student and parent anxiety. I have a bit of a different view of this issue: https://loudounnow.com/2019/09/19/mcnerney-getting-into-college-the-myths/
16/08/2019
My August column for Loudoun Now: Dealing with Back to School Jitters
McNerney: First Day of School Jitters The school supply lists are published, the stores are full of supplies, and students are beginning to feel the worry about back-to-school. Each year brings new stresses, both to parents and students.
02/08/2019
You all helped me do it again! Loudoun Now's Favorite Psychotherapist for 2019! Thank you for your votes of confidence. It is humbling and means the world to me.
18/06/2019
I've been nominated for Best of Loudoun, and I'm hoping you can help me by voting!
Vote for your favorites Share your recommendations about your favorite places, people and businesses. Voting continues until June 30.
10/04/2019
It's starting feel real! Beginning May 1, I will be closing my Reston office and will be practicing only in my Leesburg office. I've spent 12 years with my friend John Millikin at Isaac Newton Square. It's been my long-term goal to practice in one location and close to home. Beginning May 1, I will be at my Leesburg office six days a week helping teens, families, and couples.
15/03/2019
Had a great meeting with parents at Belmont Ridge Middle School this morning talking about The Teenage Brain!
25/02/2019
My recent column for Loudoun Now
McNerney: Don’t Take It Personally We’ve been told over and over that parenting is one of the toughest jobs out there. I agree and disagree with this statement. Yes, it’s hard, but it’s not a job. It’s our life. Our family is everything to us and we can’t just turn it off like we can with our job. We are thinking about our ...
18/02/2019
I am honored to be nominated as Best Family Counselor in Posh Seven's Best Of survey. If you could take a moment and vote for me #45, I would appreciate it! http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07eg2bhfe8jrijh3a7/start
17/01/2019
How to deal with a teen's messy room? This might ruffle some feathers: https://loudounnow.com/2019/01/17/mcnerney-dealing-with-a-teenagers-room/
McNerney: Dealing with a Teenager’s Room One question I hear quite a bit from parents of teens is: How do I get them to keep their room clean? It seems a reasonable question, especially given the fact that many teens spend quite a bit of time in their room.
03/12/2018
Should you let your child quit an activity or sport? Here's my take on this: https://loudounnow.com/2018/11/16/mcnerney-should-you-let-your-kid-quit/
McNerney: Should You Let Your Kid Quit? Should we let our kids quit an activity/sport/instrument? Or should we have them stick it out in order to learn perseverance and commitment? Since this is a question I am often asked in my work with families, I thought it was time I gave my opinion.
20/09/2018
Although it took a while to settle in, I am happily in my new office in Leesburg! We've tried to make it a relaxing place, with soothing colors and furniture. I am incredibly happy to be back with Delaney as my client coordinator! I wouldn't have been able to make this move if I didn't know she'd be there to help!
20/09/2018
My latest column on the newest term in parenting: The Lawnmower Parent
McNerney: Are You a Lawnmower Parent? It seems that every year or so, there is a new phrase to describe the way we are parenting our kids. Most of the terms tend to be less than flattering. Helicopter, Tiger Moms, Free Range Parenting, and Stealth Parenting are just a few being thrown around these days. Enter the newest term: Lawnmower
27/08/2018
Neil McNerney - Counselor added a Shop on Website button to their Page.
22/08/2018
My latest column for LoudounNow: https://loudounnow.com/2018/08/16/mcnerney-do-something-different-this-school-year/
McNerney: Do Something Different This School Year Now that the new school year is about to start and you are frantically getting school supplies, I thought I would share some ideas that might actually reduce your stress when it comes to your kids and schoolwork.
14/08/2018
Great meeting today with the Counseling Staff at the Academies of Loudoun! What a facility! I'll be presenting the the parents at least twice this year and we're also planning some professional development trainings. If your Loudoun school is interested in me providing a parent seminar, just reach out to me and let's talk!
31/07/2018
My latest Column for Loudoun Now. I was a skeptic for a while about this issue, but lately I've seen quite a bit more evidence that this is a real issue for many teens. http://loudounnow.com/2018/07/19/mcnerney-video-gaming-disorder-what-parents-can-do/
McNerney: Video Gaming Disorder? What Parents Can Do There has been quite a bit of talk about the World Health Organization identifying a new disorder they are calling Gaming Disorder. The news of this disorder has been getting a lot of exposure recently with various mental health providers giving their opinion on whether it is a separate disorder or
05/07/2018
It's getting real! My new Leesburg office is almost complete! Moving in over the weekend and start seeing my Leesburg clients next Wednesday! 30 Catoctin Circle SE, Suite 207, Leesburg VA!
12/06/2018
I have been nominated for Best of Loudoun 2018 and would be honored if you took a second and voted for me. Just use this link and click on the green Vote button. http://loudounnow.secondstreetapp.com/2018-Loudouns-Favorites-Readers-Poll/gallery/111595045/
Vore for your favorites Share your recommendations about your favorite places, people and businesses. Voting continues until June 30.
24/05/2018
Here's my latest column for Loudoun Now on Teen Va**ng http://loudounnow.com/2018/05/17/found-out-your-teen-is-va**ng-now-what/
McNerney: Found Out Your Teen is Va**ng? Now What? If you have a middle or high schooler, you might have heard about va**ng. In my practice with teens and families, I realized that there is a varying level knowledge about this new product.
04/05/2018
The Countdown Begins! I am hoping to be in my new Leesburg office by June 1! I am thrilled to have my own large space where I can do individual, couple, family, and group counseling. I'll keep you posted on the progress. First thing to go is the brown walls! I'm thinking some type of calm blue color. Any thoughts on these three?
19/04/2018
I am thrilled and humbled to share that I was awarded second place in Virginia for column writing by the Virginia Press Association! When Danielle Nadler of LoudounNow asked me for three columns to submit, I complied, but I didn't think much of it. I've never felt that my writing was very good, and I often cringe when seeing my words in print. But I think it's important to give another perspective on parenting, so I keep at it. See the comments for a link to the articles.
19/02/2018
Join me this Wednesday 7pm at Sycolin Creek Elementary School where I will be speaking on my book: "Homework - A Parent's Guide to Helping Out Without Freaking Out!
14/02/2018
During my very fun Facebook Live event for the Real Housewives of Loudoun, I offered a free copy of my book "Homework - A Parent's Guide to Helping Out Without Freaking Out!" to the first eight people that liked my page! Here are the winners:
Colleen Mosely
Lamia Larguet
Carol Barbe
Meghan Bogue
Susie Pomata
Rob Chiatello
Maria Rodriguez
Kimmy Huggins
Please PM me your mailing address so that I can send you a copy!
07/02/2018
Although I am still iced in on the mountain, the presentation tonight is still on! Please join me at Fusion Academy tonight at 6pm for "The Teenage Brain!"
02/02/2018
Here's my latest column for Loudoun Now. More and more research is confirming what we suspected: Social media use may increase depression: http://loudounnow.com/2018/02/01/mcnerney-smartphone-use-and-teen-depression/
McNerney: Smartphone Use and Teen Depression If you have read some of my columns this past year, you probably know that I don’t tend to jump on the latest parenting trend, or needlessly attempt to scare parents through alarming and possibly inaccurate studies about kids these days. With that in mind, I have been somewhat skeptical about the ...
29/12/2017
My latest column for Loudoun Now: Reasons to avoid embarrassing your kids on purpose. Here’s a top 10 list of things parents do that (intentionally or not) embarrass their children in public:
Singing, and especially dancing.
Being too loud in public.
Wearing embarrassing clothes.
Trying to be cool.
Disciplining your child.
Treating them like they are little, or fragile.
Using nicknames, especially “cute” ones.
Telling embarrassing stories.
Asking their friends too many questions.
Hugging and kissing your child.
loudounnow.com We, as parents, often inadvertently embarrass our kids. During our recent college tours, I witnessed at least five incidents when students would whisper to their parents: “Don’t ask any questions!” They were certain that anything that came from their parent’s mouth would be obvious and embar...
13/12/2017
I would be thrilled if you took a minute and voted for me for Loudoun Times-Mirror Best of 2018. Your support would mean a lot! http://northernvatimes.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Loudoun-2018/gallery/85361290?category=1308312
northernvatimes.secondstreetapp.com Cast your vote for your favorite people, places, businesses, and events in Loudoun County!
10/12/2017
I would be thrilled if your took a minute and voted for me for Loudoun Times-Mirror Best of 2018. Your support would mean a lot! http://northernvatimes.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Loudoun-2018/gallery/85361290?category=1308312
northernvatimes.secondstreetapp.com Cast your vote for your favorite people, places, businesses, and events in Loudoun County!
08/11/2017
I have been invited to speak at tonight's Loudoun Education Alliance of Parents monthly meeting at 7pm in the Administration Building. I will be sharing information about how the Community Services Board is addressing teen su***de and will be sharing information on what parents should look for concerning teen depression and su***de. This meeting is free and open to the public.
28/10/2017
Interesting research on the redshirt phenomenon.
Based on their analysis of approximately 14,500 freshly minted Ph.D. recipients, researchers conclude that a student who isn’t redshirted could end up earning $138,000 more over the course of his or her lifetime than someone who is. (from 2015)
26/10/2017
Great news! Sharon Fuentes and I just signed a deal to have our book translated in Arabic! Can't wait to see how the cover will look! http://amzn.to/2xoQb4f
amazon.com Don’t Freak Out… You are not alone! You are half way through grocery shopping and can tell that your Aspie is about to melt down. You know you should just 86 the whole thing but you really need milk, bread and coffee. Eventually your child can’t stand it anymore and falls to ...
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