Dr. Mike

Mindfulness for Families: Cultivating Peace and Connection

May 1, 2024

In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of peace and connection as a family can be challenging. The demands of work, school and extracurricular activities for the kids often leave little time for more meaningful personal interactions. However, there can be real benefits to prioritizing and integrating mindfulness into family life. Practicing mindfulness as a family…

Ask Dr. Mike

April 3, 2024

Dr. Mike, I recently reentered the dating world after a painful divorce last year, and I met a great guy who I’ll refer to here as “Jack.” We have been on several wonderful dates, and I think there could be something special for us together. We’re compatible in so many ways – we’re in similar…

Ask Dr. Mike

February 28, 2024

Dr Mike, Our 18-year-old daughter who is a senior in high school, is addicted to her phone, and we don’t know what to do. The phone is always in her hand, and even though my husband and I don’t disapprove of most of what she’s doing with the phone, we also think she’s on it…

How to cope when your pre-teen/teen doesn’t want to spend time with you

January 31, 2024

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. There is certainly a lot written on the Empty Nest Syndrome – the period of grief that many parents feel after their grown child leaves home – but there are far fewer articles on how parents can best navigate their pre-teen or teen’s journey toward independence while still living at home.…

What is collaborative divorce and is it right for me?

January 3, 2024

By Michael Obschneider, Psy. D. Divorce is an inherently tumultuous life event that significantly impacts the emotional well-being of all those involved.  And, the approach to divorce can greatly influence the outcome, with collaborative divorce offering a less adversarial alternative to traditional litigation. This method, focusing on negotiation and mutual agreement outside of court, holds…

Ask Dr. Mike

November 29, 2023

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Dr. Mike: Our 16-year-old son is having a really hard time academically. He gets the occasional A, a lot of B’s and some C’s, and he doesn’t apply himself at all. His grades are all over the place, and we never see him doing homework. With grade inflation within LCPS, we’re…

How to talk to your child about the Hamas-Israel Conflict

October 26, 2023

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Technology is ubiquitous, and as a result, our children are constantly being bombarded with information. Certainly, we as parents can do our best to make sure that the information our children view is age-appropriate, however, sometimes that’s not enough or sometimes the stories our children learn about are confusing and upsetting.…

Is emotional cheating real? What to do if it happens

September 28, 2023

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. In today’s interconnected world, relationships have evolved in myriad ways, and while physical infidelity is well recognized, another form of betrayal, often less visible but equally impactful, has emerged. It is emotional cheating. As a psychologist in private practice, the topic of emotional cheating comes up often. Just this past week,…

Finding a new purpose to cope with Empty Nest Syndrome

September 6, 2023

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Transitioning into the “empty nest” phase of life as parents is a significant rite of passage. As your children leave home (often for college), a whirlwind of emotions can ensue. The empty space where there was once laughter, chatter, and occasional teenage drama in the home is suddenly filled with silence. …

Discussing separation or divorce with children

August 6, 2023

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Separation and divorce is fraught with emotional upheaval and adjustments. Sharing the news with your children can be very challenging. However, there are compassionate and effective communication strategies that can significantly influence how your children navigate the forthcoming loss and changes. When discussing separation and divorce with your children, it’s important…