Dr. Mike
By Michael Obschneider Psy.D. For more than two decades as a psychologist in Northern Virginia, I have helped adolescents navigate the familiar terrain of growing up—motivation, identity, relationships, and purpose. But today, the landscape has fundamentally changed. What I observe is not merely a new variation of adolescence, but a marked departure from it. Increasingly,…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Imagine the scene: You’re idling in the school pickup line, heart full, ready to hear about the day. Your teenager climbs in, tosses their backpack like it’s made of lead, and the “interrogation” begins. You: “Hey! How was your day?” Them: “Fine.” You: “How was the math test?” Them: “I don’t…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. If you’ve ever heard of the “marshmallow test,” you might remember the classic experiment where children were offered one marshmallow now or two if they waited. The ability to delay gratification—choosing a future reward over an immediate one—has long been tied to persistence, emotional regulation, and long-term success. But what does…
Dr. Mike, Our son is 7 years old. His teacher contacted us to discuss the school doing an evaluation on him since he is having attention problems, hyperactivity and behavior problems, and language learning problems in the classroom. She also said that he seems to get anxious socially with the other kids often. She suggested…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Each year, “Dry January” sweeps wine, beer, and liquor glasses off the table. But what if this year’s reset is about screens instead? Enter: Tech-Free January—a modern cleanse for your screen-weary soul. Screens, Screens, everywhere: Let’s face it—screens are everywhere. Computers, tablets, and smartphones follow us wherever we go. Research shows…
By Michael Oberschneider Psy.D. Have you ever left a holiday gathering feeling drained—not from the food, but from the tension in the air or from disagreements over sensitive topics? In a time when heated debates about politics, money, and religion often overshadow the joy of togetherness, Thanksgiving can easily become a source of stress instead…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Does your child struggle with both attention and impulse control as well as social or sensory challenges that feel more aligned with autism? If so, you’re far from alone. As a child psychologist, I see more and more children and teens who don’t fit neatly into a single diagnostic category. They…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Hero, monster, princess, goth, influencer, or pop star? A Halloween costume isn’t just make-believe—it often reflects deeper aspects of children’s identity, psychology, and development. Halloween remains one of the most exciting times of the year for kids. Beyond candy and decorations, costumes serve as a stage where children and teens experiment…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. As a psychologist—and a parent—I often reflect on the childhood rhythms of the 1980s. Back then, free afternoons meant roaming the neighborhood on bikes, playing pick-up games in the yard, or having adventures with friends, all with minimal adult supervision. With only a handful of TV channels and classic toys like…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. For many survivors of domestic violence, leaving the relationship is just the beginning of a new chapter of fear, manipulation, and control. This phenomenon is known as post-separation abuse, and it can be even more damaging than the abuse that occurred during the relationship. What Is Post-Separation Abuse? Post-separation abuse is…