Dr. Mike
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…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Dr. Mike, My 49-year-old wife and I have been married for 24 years, and we have three great kids and a great relationship. She was beautiful when I met her, and I think she’s even more beautiful today. The problem is, she doesn’t seem to think so. Over the past 7…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Urge surfing is a mindfulness-based technique designed to help individuals navigate the discomfort of cravings or impulses without succumbing to them. This powerful tool, first introduced by Dr. Alan Marlatt, a pioneer in addiction research, provides a practical and effective way to manage urges associated with bad habits that are difficult…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Humility comes from the Latin word humilis, which literally means low. But as a virtue, humility is often misperceived as being something that is undesirable or unattainable. How is appearing small or insignificant or worthless in relation to others an attractive quality? To the contrary, truly humble people are strong in that…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. The holiday season is often seen as a time to reconnect with family and to celebrate traditions. However, family gatherings can also bring challenges. For some, these moments are opportunities to create joyful memories; for others, they may feel like navigating a social minefield. Understanding the pros and cons of holiday…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Once upon a time, in a certain forest, there lived a Black Goat and a White Goat. One day, as fate would have it, they both needed to cross a narrow bridge. Unfortunately, the bridge was so narrow that it only had enough space for one goat to cross at a…
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Dr. Mike, Our 18-year-old daughter went off to JMU for freshman year this fall. She’s doing well academically and socially, but she’s upset with us for being “controlling” and for “micromanaging” her. My husband and I told her that we would be keeping Life360 on her phone to monitor her whereabouts…