Dr. Mike
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…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. For many children, bullying is more than just a difficult rite of passage or a phase. It can be a painful experience that can shape a child’s sense of self, influence their relationships, and impact their mental health well into adulthood. As a psychologist who works closely with children and families,…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Male Emperor Penguins will stand guard to protect their baby eggs by covering them and balancing them on their feet in the freezing cold for a two-month incubation period. Emperor Penguin mothers will travel up to 50 miles to the ocean to retrieve fish for their offspring, which they keep warm in…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Have you ever felt a mixture of excitement, anxiety, and nostalgia as you contemplate reconnecting with an old friend? Life has a curious way of moving us along separate paths, often gently guiding once close friendships into later distant memories. But for many, there comes a time in life when we…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. One of the most emotionally challenging aspects of divorce proceedings involves determining child custody. Historically, women have been awarded custody significantly more frequently than men, sparking important conversations about fairness and potential gender biases in family courts. Understanding why this happens, how decisions are made, and what’s changing can empower both…