It’s A Brave New World for School Kids.

The year 2021 is likely to be a “catch-up” year. It could well be a year when school-age children (maybe some of yours) will be attending classes throughout the entirety of the year just to catch up. One thing we know for sure is that Covid-19 is NOT yet a thing of the past and the new year will be affected in its own unique way!

Reopening classes will include such challenges as –

1.  Staggered starts and conclusions of the school day

2.  Mealtimes will vary

3.  Classes may move to safer places…including outdoors when possible

4.  Shifts will allow schools to manage class sizes

DO NOT take for granted that your kid will just “roll with the punches!” If you see the impending need for counseling, please call me. My name is Dr. Steven Sussman, a multi-decade child psychologist and friend to thousands of children with an office located in Mountainside NJ. For more info. about me please google sussmankids.com and call me at (908) 217-8106. Sessions are currently available online.

All Together Again.

Man oh man, it has seemed like an eternity since we were told to social distance. The only thing that seemed to improve was the power in our voices as we yelled across the room! Now is the time to consider other important aspects of getting together in groups again…that is group therapy for our kids.

It is nothing new, of course. Our children do better in groups. It is just that simple. Peer groups in our children’s developmental psychology and social psychology have worked to our advantage for a very long time. The peer group fulfills important functions in childhood development all the way to adolescence.

I believe in group therapy now more than ever as we “rediscover” each other socially. My name is Dr. Steven Sussman. You will find my philosophy at sussmankids.com. Look me up, spend some time with me on the web, then let us talk about your kids on the phone then at my office located in Mountainside NJ. Just call (908) 217-8106.

Learning from our Mistakes.

This is one of the great missives of the human race.  Here, it applies to adults who discipline their kids when they (the adults) are angry.  It seems understandable on the surface we all get frustrated when people (especially our own flesh and blood) ignore us and continue acting out the same “bad” behavior.

Some adults take the easy way out and simply over medicate their children.  I have heard that kids as young as two years old are being treated improperly with medication…TWO YEARS OLD!  It is time to stop and think about the long-term detriment you may be causing by lashing out or over medicating your child.

My name is Dr. Steven Sussman.  I have been consulting parents on the delicate balance of medication, discipline, and real psychological therapy for decades.  Would you like to talk more about your particular situation?  I assure you, it is NOT unique.  Let’s meet in my Mountainside NJ office at your convenience.  Call me Dr. Steven Sussman at (908) 217-8106.  

Socializing in the Real World.

Let’s face it we humans are social animals.  Much of our behavior is affected by what other people are doing.  You are more likely to exercise if you hang out with other people who exercise.  You are more likely to smoke if you spend time with other people who light up.  You are more likely to succeed in school if your friends are also doing well in school.

Have you ever heard of the term “goal contagion”?  Quite simply, it is the automatic adoption of one or more goals when one observes and experiences another’s goal-focused behavior.  Goal contagion is more likely to occur in our kids when they are in groups with other children.  It makes sense…doesn’t it?

Child psychology is NOT an exact science.  It is ever evolving.  One thing that I have found to be true through the decades is that group therapy is a plus for each individual in the room.  My name is Dr. Steven Sussman a New Jersey child psychologist located in Mountainside.  Let’s talk about what’s best for your child.  Please call me at (908) 217-8106.

Here Kid, Memorize this and Go Home.

Have you ever felt that way about your child’s school?  Schools in the New York City area and throughout the country are established to turn out students and send them back into the real world.  As a child psychologist I often hear about “the shutdown learner”.  A child simply shuts down rather than doing classwork or homework.

When I hear about these traits, I look for some of the signs such as –

1.  Unusual obsession with the computer

2.  Instructions are meant to be disobeyed or completely ignored

3.  Can’t understand the written material presented

4.  Plenty of negative self-talk

5.  Simply giving up academically

Please do me and, more importantly, yourself a favor.  Go to my website sussmankids.com and visit the ODD tab.  Here, you will find an article on “shutdown disorder”.  It may be one of the most helpful reads you have ever had.  After that, please give a call at (908) 217-8106 and we will talk about it at my Mountainside NJ or Staten Island NY office.

What is the Advantage of Group Therapy.

Sometimes when we think of child psychology we believe that a one-on-one approach may be best.  Have you ever seen a depiction of an alcoholics anonymous meeting?  It is done in a group for a reason.  How much people want to open up about themselves is very individual, but there's security in knowing that what’s said in group, stays in group.

Here are some of the advantages of group therapy for your child –

1.  Support.  Your kids know they are not alone in their feelings.

2.  A sounding board.  Everyone gets a wider range of perspectives.

3.  Listening to other’s success stories.

4.  They teach.  The other members of the group see you through their own eyes.

Your kids grow up in groups.  From sports, to education, to scouting, etc.  Social interaction and growth are promoted within groups.  See if group therapy is right for your kid by visiting healthgrades.com. Call me for a free consultation.  I am child psychologist Dr. Steven Sussman.  I have devoted decades to the strength and growth of the next generation.  Call me at (908) 217-8106 and we will meet in my Staten Island or Mountainside NJ office.