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Stop Tearing Down and Start Building:

by Lorna Jansen, PsyD August 29, 2025

5 Ways to Enrich your Relationship Today

Frustrated by the way your relationships are going? Feeling like you’re always at odds with someone at home or at work? Here are a handful of tips you can use to revitalize your relationships and improve your interactions with others.

1. Look for the positives and focus on the other person’s strengths. For example, you might start by noticing how well your spouse manages his or her job, commitments at home, balance between free time and family time, or anything else. As you observe him or her, begin commenting about what you’ve seen like this: “You do a really good job with __________” or “I’m impressed that you were able to accomplish _________ today.” Dr. John Gottman says the magic ratio is 5 positive interactions for every 1 that is negative. In order to compensate for the inevitable bumps along the way, make a concerted effort to recognize the positive qualities of those around you each and every day.

2. Employ active listening skills. Active listening initially includes paying attention, withholding judgment and reflecting the other person’s words by repeating them back to him or her. This is especially important—and challenging—when there is conflict. As you take the time to slow down and focus on your co-worker’s point of view, you may find yourself less focused on making your case and more willing to reach a mutually beneficial solution. If you want additional information on this topic, look here: https://www.ccl.org/multimedia/podcast/the-big-6-an-active-listening-skill-set/

3. Take care of yourself. As you are able, focus on eating well, getting enough sleep, drinking water throughout the day, exercising, and managing your stress. This will have a positive impact on yourself and everyone around you. If you need help remembering to do these things, enlist some support partners. You might also use an app like Wunderlist to organize your goals and set reminders.

4. Look for common interests and seek to engage in those whenever possible. When you think of your relationships, consider whether there are any favorite activities, interests, or even favorite foods that could bring you and the people you love together. For example, you might consider setting up weekly, bi-weekly or monthly dates to spend time with each of your children. Enlist their help to come up with ideas of things they’d like to do or explore with you, and work your way through the list you compose.

5. Before you speak, consider the things you often say. If you are frequently at odds with someone in your life, think about the phrases you find yourself repeating to that person. Perhaps you need to change what you are saying so your family member can really hear the message. For example, if you find that you are constantly telling your dad that he’s embarrassing you in some way, maybe you could tell him some things you appreciate about him (see #1) and then give him a few tips about what he could say or do when he’s around your friends.

These five tips may seem simple, but will require a concerted effort on your part. If it seems overwhelming to implement all five at once, start with the one that seems the most likely to create positive change and work your way through the rest as you are able. Though you may encounter resistance at first, you will soon notice small differences in the relational atmosphere. If you or someone in your life would benefit from the help of a psychologist as you work to improve your relationships, please call our office at 215.491.1119.

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What is a Concussion?

by Casey Terzian, PsyD July 16, 2025

“Seeing stars,” “a bruise on the brain,” or just a good ol’ fashioned bonk to the head? This can be hard to sort out, especially with how this condition tends to be portrayed by the media. Surprisingly, not all concussions look like someone passing out, waking up in a daze with an open wound on their forehead and a little trickle of blood, being shaken and told they have to stay awake.

By definition, a concussion happens when some sort of force or impact occurs, and the brain is injured. Concussions happen as a result of many different situations: falls, contact sports, car accidents, and more. Our brains are suspended in fluid to help protect it from damage, but any sudden jolt with enough force may jostle the brain and cause it to twist or hit up against the skull, resulting in an injury to the brain tissue.

But not all bonks to the head will automatically lead to a concussion. So how do we know if we should be concerned? Here are some common symptoms to look out for immediately following the event (first 24 hours):

  • Loss of consciousness (LOC) – fainting or passing out after impact
    • Note: this can be very brief and be over by the time someone walks over to check
  • Posttraumatic Amnesia (PTA) – blacking out or being unable to recall what happened immediately prior to or following the impact
    • For more significant concussions, this may last for a few hours
  • Vomiting
  • Confusion – repeating themselves, forgetting information that was just told to them,
    • Disorientation – being confused about the time (when?) and place (where?), personal information (who?), or the situation (what?)

The initial symptoms immediately following the accident tell us a lot about how severe a concussion is, so pay attention if you can! If you personally have experienced a concussion, be sure to ask any witnesses or medical providers for information for your records. If you witness a concussion, make note of how long a person may have been unconscious for, or what their behavior was like right after they hit their head.

For less severe concussions, some of these more significant symptoms may not have been observed right away. That doesn’t necessarily mean that there was no injury! Here are some common symptoms that may emerge after the initial event, usually within the next few days:

  • Physical symptoms
    • Headaches
    • Dizziness or nausea
    • Light or sound sensitivity
    • Fatigue
    • Vision changes – blurry vision, double vision
    • Balance problems
    • Sleep changes – sleeping more or less, fitful or disrupted sleep
  • Cognitive
    • Confusion or “fogginess”
    • Attention problems – distractibility or difficulty concentrating
    • Memory problems – forgetfulness or difficulty remembering things
    • Impulsivity – doing things without thinking
  • Emotional
    • Anxiety
    • Irritability
    • Mood changes – being more emotional or tearful than usual
      • This is especially noteworthy if the concussion was the result of a serious accident or assault

All in all, it’s important to know about the different ways concussions may show up and what to do. Let’s say you were at your child’s soccer game, and just watched them collide head-on with another athlete after a gnarly header. Maybe it’s not clear if they lost consciousness during the scuffle of teammates, coaches, and trainers making their way onto the field, but they finally stand up and are shaky on their feet, confused, and pale. Here are some options for what to do if you have concerns that you or a loved one has suffered a concussion:

  • Immediately remove yourself or your loved one from the impact zone to avoid further injury
  • Seek medical attention at an urgent care, emergency room, or primary care physician depending on the severity of symptoms and any other injuries
    • For example, if there was no apparent loss of consciousness, your child was able to independently get up and walk over to the bench, and they talked about their symptoms with clarity, you may take your child home to rest before calling the pediatrician
    • Conversely, if there was an observed or likely loss of consciousness, your child is very confused and repeating themselves or vomits, then you may insist that your child be transported via ambulance to the emergency department immediately
      • If you have serious concerns about a severe head injury, be very wary about transporting a child independently
      • Once you arrive at the ED,  there will likely be an examination, some testing, and regular monitoring of symptoms
        • This may include brain imaging, such as a CT scan, to make sure there is not significant bleeding or damage to the brain
  • Keep track of any concerning symptoms that are seen
  • Prioritize rest and limiting stimulation on the brain
  • Seek support for how to best manage concussion recovery (That includes us!)

Here at The Center, we have qualified clinicians who specialize in brain injuries and concussion care. We are happy to personally evaluate and monitor concussion recovery, as well as provide education about concussions and strategies for optimal recovery. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 215-491-1119 or info@thecenterinpa.com. And please stay tuned for more information to come regarding general concussion and recovery information.

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School’s Out for the Summer: Implementing Summer Routine and Structure

by Jason Tanenbaum June 30, 2025

Summer is here, and our kids are excited for the warmer weather, spending time in the pool or at the beach, and vacationing with family and friends. The summer is an important time for kids of all ages to reboot. It provides them with the opportunity to just be “kids,” play, build resiliency, and help cope with stressors in day-to-day life.

Now that summer is in full swing, it is important for parents and caregivers to recognize that school-aged children transitioning from a highly structured and regimented schedule during the day to a far less coordinated environment. Let’s pause for a moment and think about your child’s typical school day, and remind ourselves that teachers and other school personnel work extremely hard to maintain a highly regimented schedule for our kids each day. Remember the daily schedule that is often on full display in our classrooms? It serves an important role.

Consequently, the duty of providing such structure now falls on the shoulders of parents and caregivers. This can be challenging, especially for families where both parents work full-time and when there are limited opportunities for enrollment in camps or other programs that provide childcare along with the necessary activities of structure. Below are some helpful tips for incorporating structure and routine during the summer months, while maintaining fun and providing opportunities for our kids to reboot:

  1. Create a schedule and establish routine
  2. Be collaborative and develop withyour children.
  3. Be consistent, but also flexible.
  4. Create a weekly schedule using a whiteboard that is visible at all times.
  5. Identify a list of activities for rainy days and/or days with extreme heat.
  6. Identify budget-friendly activities, such as going to the park, library or museums.
  7. Schedule “down time,” or rest periods, especially during hot summer days.
  • Maintain Expectations:
  • Use Positive Reinforcement and where age appropriate, use of reward system can be very helpful. For households with siblings, implement such symptoms house wide, not just for one child.
  • Communicate clearly and maintain consistency across parents and caregivers.
  • When there are expectations to keep up with reading and other school-based activities, Be Creative and incorporate opportunities to earn rewards and provide positive reinforcement. For example, “Reading Bingo.”
  • Self-Care
  • Parents – Take care of yourselves.
    • Work with your partner or other caregivers to balance responsibilities and childcare.
    • Schedule quality time with your partner on the weekends.
    • Alternate childcare with neighbors or friends.

If we can help you implement structure into your summer schedule, please reach out to us!

The mental health providers at the Center are here to provide you or a loved one with therapy or assessment services this summer. Call 215-491-1119 to schedule an appointment!

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Seeking Help This Summer?

by Lorna Jansen, PsyD May 27, 2025

5 Steps to Find the Right Mental Health Provider

For many reasons, the summer can be just the right time to seek out mental health care. For children and adults who are in school, classes and extracurriculars tend to scale back, allowing for more flexibility with scheduling . Mental health providers often have more openings in the summer, as their existing clients go on vacation or change up their routines. And, sometimes, clients simply have more mental space to reflect upon their experiences and what they’d like to change. If you are seeking help this summer, consider these five steps to find the right mental health provider for you:

  1. Define your objective. What do you really need? A therapist to help you manage the stress of a new job or new relationship? Someone who does family therapy that can help you all adjust to the loss of a loved one? A psychologist to evaluate your child because something seems to be holding them back at school? Once you know the kind of help you need, you can start to look for someone who specializes in those areas. Psychology Today has a great therapist finder that can help you search for the right provider.
  1. Consider your money and time. You could find the perfect therapist who ticks all of the boxes you created above, but if they don’t line up with your finances and availability, you’ll be back to square one. If you’re looking for someone who takes your insurance, you can either call their customer service line or go on their website to find providers who are “in network.” Other providers may be considered “out of network” but can still provide you with a superbill so that you can submit to your insurance and utilize your out-of-network benefit or work towards meeting your deductible (this is true for us at the Center). If you’re only available on certain days or times, be sure to ask if the therapist has consistent openings that work with your schedule. 
  1. Location, location, location. While many mental health providers now offer telehealth appointments, some clients prefer to meet in person, at least some of the time. Consider how far you’d like to drive if you will be meeting in person. If you are looking for someone to see you virtually, you may still have to find someone who is licensed in the state where you reside and where you’ll be located when you meet for appointments. There are some exceptions to this for licensed psychologists who are authorized to practice telepsychology in multiple states through PSYPACT (list of providers: https://psypact.gov/page/Directory). The Center has several psychologists who are able to see clients in the 40+ states that participate in PSYPACT—colored dark blue on the map: https://psypact.gov/page/psypactmap. When you see a psychologist with PSYPACT, you can meet virtually from anywhere, such as your residence, a vacation home, or your dorm room at college, as long as you are still located in one of the approved states.
  1. Reflect on other elements. Some clients like to talk with therapists who share a similar faith or have other interests. Be aware of your own values and any non-negotiables you might have. You may even be able to enter some of these factors into the search engine you’re using. When you go in for your first session, be sure to mention the reasons why you came to see that particular provider.
  1. Meet the individual you’ve selected. How does the therapist fit with you and anyone else you’ve brought to the session? While it’s normal to feel some discomfort while talking about difficult issues, it’s important to consider whether or not you feel uncomfortable with the therapist. Like any other relationship, trust is an essential element of mental health treatment. If you don’t feel the clinician is a good fit for you or your child, you can try another session or two or ask for a referral to another provider.

The mental health providers at the Center are here to provide you or a loved one with therapy or assessment services this summer. Call 215-491-1119 to schedule an appointment!

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Understanding and Navigating Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

by Ashley Mondragon, PsyD April 9, 2025

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), also known as Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MND),is a condition that leads to subtle but noticeable changes in thinking skills such as memory, thinking, attention, language, reasoning abilities, and more. While these changes can be concerning, they are not severe enough to significantly impact daily functioning (e.g., driving, managing finances/medication, bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.). Individuals with MCI may find that they forget recent conversations or appointments, but they can still carry out everyday tasks independently

MCI can show up in two main forms:

  1. Amnestic MCI, which primarily affects memory. Individuals may begin to forget important details, such as conversations or recent events.
  2. Non-amnestic MCI, which impacts other cognitive functions like decision-making, planning, and judgment. People with this type of MCI might struggle with tasks like organizing their home or managing finances.

What Causes MCI?

The exact cause of MCI is not fully understood, but it is believed that in some cases, MCI may signal an early stage of a neurodegenerative disease. However, not everyone diagnosed with MCI will progress to dementia, and other factors, such as lifestyle and genetics, can influence its development.

How is Age Related to MCI?

MCI is more commonly noticed in individuals over the age of 50, but it can appear earlier or later. As people age, some cognitive changes are typical, but MCI represents a noticeable decline beyond normal aging.

Is There Medication for MCI?

While there is no cure for MCI, medications can sometimes be used to help manage symptoms. Cholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil, galantamine, or rivastigmine, are commonly prescribed. These medications may help slow the decline in memory and thinking abilities. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to evaluate all current medications.

Factors That May Influence the Progression of MCI

Certain factors may increase the risk of MCI progressing to dementia, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, depression, and lack of mental or physical activity. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and reducing alcohol intake are also beneficial.

What to Do After Diagnosis

Individual:

  1. Stay active with mentally stimulating activities and physical exercise.
  2. Use reminders like calendars and lists to help with memory.
  3. Engage in social activities, spend time with family, friends, or neighbors.
  4. Communicate with your medical team for optimal healthcare.
  5. Consider talking with a mental health professional to navigate the emotional impact of the diagnosis.

Family:

  1. Offer help as needed, while encouraging independence.
  2. Discuss care preferences and plans (i.e., living conditions, live-in/hired support, etc.).
  3. Attend doctor appointments together for better understanding and support.
  4. Consider joining a caregiver support group.
  5. Don’t forget to care for yourself.

Helpful Resources near Doylestown, PA:

Doylestown Health Dementia-Friendly Initiative: Offers a Memory Café and educational programs. Click here to learn more.

Bucks County Area Agency on Aging: Provides information on services such as transportation, country resources, community social and recreational activities, legal services, and more. Find  out more here.

Visiting Angels Doylestown: Provides in-home care and respite for caregivers. Discover more here.

Moving Forward: A diagnosis of MCI is not the end—it is a chance to plan, seek support, and continue to enjoy life. Use available resources and stay connected with your loved ones.

If you or a loved one are concerned about possible mild cognitive impairment, consider contacting us, The Center for Neuropsychology & Counseling, to schedule a neuropsychological evaluation. This assessment can help clarify the nature of the changes, guide treatment planning, and support informed next steps.

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When Should I Seek Therapy Services for OCD?

by Brittany Keim, LPC March 24, 2025

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that occur repeatedly and feel outside of one’s control, whereas compulsions are mental or behavioral actions that an individual will engage in to reduce distress caused by obsessions. OCD can result in a great deal of impairment and can negatively impact one’s life.

For a number of different reasons, those who experience symptoms of OCD can go years without seeking therapy services and this can result in symptoms worsening over time. A statement I often hear from clients is, “I wish I received help sooner.” Oftentimes, those with OCD can respond to obsessions and compulsions in an ineffective manner, accidentally reinforcing their symptoms and leading to even more distress or impairment.

With appropriate treatment, individuals can learn how to identify and respond to their symptoms in an effective way, living a happy and healthy life despite their OCD diagnosis.

If you are currently experiencing symptoms of OCD and considering whether or not it is time to seek treatment, please consider the following questions to help guide your decision.

Frequency

  • How often are you experiencing obsessions or compulsions? Are your symptoms worsening or occurring more frequently over time?

Duration

  • How long do you find yourself getting caught up in thoughts or engaging in behaviors to find some form of relief? Do you feel like your days revolve around trying to get rid of your discomfort or distress? Are you missing out on activities or time with loved ones?

Intensity

  • How intense or distressing are your obsessions and compulsions? Does the severity of your thoughts or behaviors make it hard to do things or cause you to lose interest in activities that you have once found enjoyable?

Pervasiveness

  • Do you experience symptoms in more than one setting? Are all aspects of your life being impacted?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you may benefit from treatment for OCD. Please call the Center to find out more information about the services we offer and to begin your journey in finding relief from your symptoms.

If you are questioning if you have OCD, please also read our article, “Recognizing Different Presentations of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” for more information.

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