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By Tim Jon Complete isolation, peace and quiet can be quite rare commodities these days in the thriving Northern Virginia County of Loudoun, but these conditions prevailed on my first-ever drive down the entire length of today’s subject of discovery. The relative tranquility I found fought for attention, though, with the general rural nature of…
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.…
By Tim Jon This—I thought—is pretty much quintessential 21st Century Loudoun County: a hurried motorist speeding by—within just a few inches—of an historic relic, which has stood so long that many of us may be forgiven for temporarily forgetting its otherwise quite formidable presence. Yeah, I know, that’s a lotta words and images and other…
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,…
By Tim Jon I knew nothing of the late Mervin Jackson of Leesburg, Virginia, when I first moved to town; having said that, I wouldn’t have been surprised (even back then) at his existence. I remember first hearing a description of his character by a trusted friend (this being on the eve of Jackson being…
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. …
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…
By Tim Jon There were two paths from which to choose: one, well-paved and more civilized, stuck to the wooded area and playground; the other, rough and rocky, descended – seemingly to the original, infernal pit itself. I chose the latter, of course. Pulling into the parking area for Trailhead Park in Ashburn, I could…
Understanding the far-reaching impacts of cannabis on teens By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Cannabis became fully legal on July 1, 2021, in Virginia for adults 21 years and older. Cannabis is legal medicinally and recreationally, however, a final date for recreational or commercial sales has yet to be determined by the state. Currently, 38 states, three…
By Tim Jon The morning of my last visit, it felt as if the slate of the entire world would be wiped clean; a very pronounced wind made its presence felt, as the actual temperature hadn’t risen appreciably enough above the freezing mark – at least for my sensitive tastes. Sensitive, that is, for someone…