Dr. Weissman Psychology

05/05/2026

Jewish Identity and Antisemitism: Understanding Jewish History, Tradition, Therapeutic Applications, and the Contemporary Rise of Antisemitism

Friday, May 8, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm (PT)
Presented by: Beth N. Rom-Rymer, PhD and Lenore E. Walker, EdD, ABPP
https://www.cpapsych.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?alias=May8-2026

After attending this webinar, attendees will be able to:
Identify four significant traumagenic episodes in the history of the Jewish people.
Describe two ways in which Jewish trauma is similar to other forms of trauma.
Describe two ways in which Jewish trauma is different from other forms of trauma.
Describe how the rise of antisemitism in contemporary society has an impact on both Jews and non-Jews.
Identify two strategies for rebuilding resiliency in the face of ongoing trauma.
Identify two Jewish values pertaining to family, community, and/or social justice.

About the Presenters:

Beth N. Rom-Rymer, PhD, has been a trailblazer throughout her life: in the first class of women undergraduates at Princeton University ‘73; created the first Victim-Witness Assistance Unit, Tallahassee, Florida; co-founded/became the first Board President of Refuge House, a shelter for domestic violence survivors, Tallahassee, Florida, 1977-1979. Dr. Rom-Rymer helped to create the field of forensic geriatrics (2000); led the psychologists’ team that won legislative prescriptive authority in Illinois (2014); became a national/international leader, psychologists’ prescriptive authority advocacy; a national/international spokesperson on understanding Jewish identity/fighting antisemitism. Dr. Rom-Rymer has taught at several Universities, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, including the University of Chicago. Dr. Rom-Rymer is Founder, President, CEO, Illinois Association of Prescribing Psychologists (IAPP); a co-founder and President, Association of Jewish Psychologists (AJP). She has been a member of the APA Board of Directors/Chair, APA Council Leadership Team. Dr. Rom-Rymer has authored several publications and received numerous awards for her work.

Lenore E. Walker, EdD, ABPP, is a psychology professor emerita from Nova Southeastern University. Author of over 25 professional books, numerous journal articles and book chapters, and two murder mysteries, she maintains a small independent practice of forensic psychology specializing in assessment of trauma from interpersonal violence. Walker has lectured around the world on various issues impacting victim/survivors of interpersonal violence especially using feminist psychology approaches. Walker is a co-founder of the Association of Jewish Psychologists (AJP) and has served as its treasurer since its inception. She has been appointed to serve on the first Voice of the People delegation by Israeli President Herzog. Together with Dr. Shayna Davis and the AJP Board, they brought the first AJP psychology mission to Israel in March 2025, researching various resilience and trauma programs. In 2023 she was awarded the APAs “Gold Medal for Impact in Psychology” by the American Psychological Foundation.

Registration Rates:
CPA Member*** $35
CPA Student Member (CPAGS) $25
Non-Member $70
Student Non-Member $50
***Premium Members are free!

Register Now! https://www.cpapsych.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?alias=May8-2026

01/01/2026

We had a great 2025 and are excited for what 2026 will bring. We at Dr. Weissman Psychology wish you a very happy New Year filled with health (mental and physical), happiness, and fulfillment.
We're excited that our very own Dr. Dustin Weissman has begun his term as President of California Psychological Association and know that he'll do great things.

12/01/2025

Preteens who own smartphones are more likely to face depression, obesity, and poor sleep than their peers, according to a new University of Pennsylvania–led study 📱😟.

Why it matters: About half of American kids own a smartphone by age 11 📊.

Pediatric health groups have recommended appropriate screen time for youths, but there are no public health guidelines on the appropriate age for kids to first get a smartphone, the study says.

What they found: Kids with a smartphone at age 12 had:
• 31% higher odds of depression 😞
• 40% higher odds of obesity ⚠️
• 62% higher odds of insufficient sleep 😴

The study analyzed data from 10,588 youths as part of NIH-supported research, and the effects were specific to smartphone ownership — not tablets or smartwatches.

Zoom out: Another study found that just a one-week social media detox boosted mental health for young adults .

The bottom line: "Smartphone ownership offers unique challenges as it may grant youth unfettered access to a world for which they may not be ready, without the discipline to effectively manage their own use," the study says.❤️📵.

Parents, take the Wait Until 8th Pledge today!
✅ Wait until at least the end of 8th grade for a smartphone.
✅ Need something sooner? Try a basic phone or watch (see our website!).
✅ When you do say yes, start slow — remove the browser & App Store.
✅ Delay social media until 16+.

You’ve got this, parents. We’re in this together.🙌

Sources: Axios and New York Times
The findings will be published in a forthcoming issue of the journal Pediatrics.

11/28/2025

09/04/2025

https://www.cpapsych.org/event/Golf2025
Love playing golf? Want to support a worthy cause? And want it to be a tax deduction (double check this with your accountant of course)?

The California Psychological Association and its foundation are working together to put on our Inaugural Golf Tournament and we need golfers! If you or anyone you know wants to support these amazing organizations or just wants to play in a golf tournament in Berkeley, CA this fall, then register at the link below.

California Psychological Association

08/15/2025

We're proud to announce that Caleb Ward, MA has joined our practice and is now accepting patients! 🥳

07/29/2025

In addition to providing individual therapy, Dr. Dustin Weissman is going to start another round of his Teens and Screens Group. Space is limited, capping it at 8 people. This group will be in-person only (in Westlake Village) and requires a commitment of one month at a time. Please consider for any teens who have been struggling with their screen time (gaming, social media, p**n, or otherwise) last school year and/or this summer. This group is especially great for those who have few friends in real life (IRL).
805-601-7098
dustinweissmanpsyd@drweissmanpsychology.com
www.DrWeissmanPsychology.com

04/20/2025

Wishing a very Happy Easter to everyone who is celebrating today!

02/15/2025

Dr. Dustin Weissman talks about caffeine intake frequently in therapy, especially as it relates to anxiety and can affect sleep. This article highlights some of the benefits of daily caffeine intake and suggests certain limits, which are more than he would suggest, especially if it's affecting mental health or sleep. Dr. Weissman often recommend a one cup per day approach. This article seems to encourage two cups to four cups. The problem with four cups is the impact on Adenosine, which is the neurotransmitter that initiates sleep. Dr. Weissman worries about Adenosine being able to function properly with upwards of 300mg of caffeine.

Studies show coffee can be beneficial, but researchers are unsure if it’s what’s in the caffeine or the coffee itself. A doctor explains what’s safe for most people.

02/10/2025

From the article:
The recommendations clearly state that “kids should avoid drinking beverages with any amount of , including tea, coffee, and energy drinks,” noting that there’s uncertainty about safe levels of caffeine in kids and teens.

There is currently no federal guidance on how much caffeine is safe for kids and teens, although the Food and Drug Administration says that most healthy adults can safely have up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day.

The guidance has raised a lot of questions about the impact of caffeine on kids, plus where teens are most likely to encounter it. Here’s what you need to know.

How does caffeine impact kids?
Caffeine is a stimulant that occurs naturally in more than 60 plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, and kola nuts, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. But there are also synthetic forms of caffeine that are added to certain foods and drinks, including energy drinks.

“Caffeine has addictive properties,” says Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. “Too much caffeine can cause sleep issues, high blood pressure, and anxiety. Caffeine withdrawal is also no fun. That can cause headaches.”

The biggest concern with caffeine and kids is that many beverages marketed to teens contain large amounts of caffeine. “Think 200 to 300 milligrams,” Alan says. “That amount is large, even for adults.”

Having large amounts of caffeine can cause these symptoms, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

and



Fast heart rate

New research released by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Heart Association, and other prominent healthcare organizations suggests that children ages 18 and younger stick to milk and water — limiting their intake of 100% juice, as well as plant-based and flavored milks. Here's what...

12/25/2024

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season from Drs. Dustin and Ellen Weissman!