Fireworks: Beautiful Displays of Color or Recipe for Disaster?
Fireworks: Beautiful Displays of Color or Recipe for Disaster?

When people think of fireworks, they might remember an event they went to for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or really any summer event. Some might think of beautiful, bright colors popping up in the sky. For others, especially individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism-Spectrum Disorder, other medical and mental health disorders, or veterans, fireworks might not be associated with positive memories or feelings.

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychologist, psychology, mental health, mental health awareness, it’s ok to not be ok, reduce the stigma, anxiety, depression, ASD, Autism-Spectrum Disorder, SPD, Sensory Processing Disorder, PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, soldiers, veterans, triggers, fireworks, CBT, cognitive-behavioral therapy, caring, support, helping, IPV, intimate partner violence, DV, domestic violence, gun violence, first responders, tips, cope, coping, coping skills, be kind, kindness matters, be considerate, considerate, valid, validation, feelings, emotions, thoughts, thinking, senses, sensory
Searching Someone on the Internet
Searching Someone on the Internet

Let’s be honest. How many times have you typed someone’s name into a search engine (we all know the one I’m talking about) to get information about them? I know I have. The world is at our fingertips now more than ever. With a quick swipe of our hands and fingers, we have instant access to information about a person that they may or may not want us to know about.

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychologist, psychology, therapy, online therapy, virtual therapy, remote therapy, ethics, ethical codes, APA, guidelines, patients, confidentiality, HIPAA, mental health, mental health awareness, it’s ok to not be ok, reduce the stigma, searching, anxiety, depression, trust, relationships, information, search engines
Grown-Ups is More Inclusive
Grown-Ups is More Inclusive

Inclusivity. It’s a term most of us hear often and if you ask us, we would say we are inclusive. But how deep does inclusivity really go? A post went viral earlier this year calling for adults, mainly teachers, to refer to their students’ parents as “their grown-ups.”

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychologist, psychology, mental health, mental health awareness, reduce the stigma, it’s ok to not be ok, family, families, family dynamics, home life, parents, caregivers, relatives, foster families, inclusivity, inclusive, speech, equality, compassion, kindness, be kind, kindness matters, empathy, respect, children, schools, teachers, grown-ups, adults, teach, educate, support, caring, parenting, traditional roles, non-traditional roles, LGBTQIA+
Why Can't You See My Family Member/Friend?
Why Can't You See My Family Member/Friend?

Word of mouth is the source for many of my referrals. The best compliment you can give me and the work I do is a referral. However, sometimes I cannot work with someone, especially if the person is in the same family or a close friend of a current or former patient. The question I often get asked is, “why?” My kids have the same pediatrician. My best friend and I go to the same dermatologist. I totally get it. However, most professionals have a code of conduct and ethical guidelines to follow.

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychologist, psychology, mental health, mental health awareness, it’s ok to not be ok, reduce the stigma, APA, American Psychological Association, ethics, ethical guidelines, ethical codes, relationships, dual relationships, multiple relationships, conflicts of interest, anxiety, CBT, cognitive-behavioral therapy, referrals, referral sources, confidentiality, NJ, New Jersey, NY, New York, Florida, FL, Vermont, VT, telehealth, telepsych, teletherapy, remote therapy, online therapy, therapy, virtual therapy, in person therapy, family, friends, loved ones, depression
School's Out... Now What?
School's Out... Now What?

The end of the school year can be bittersweet. It’s the start of summer vacation where kids don’t have to be in a classroom for several weeks, their workload has decreased, they can sleep in and stay up late. It’s awesome! However, after having about 9 months of a routine, summer can be stressful for kids.

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychologist, psychology, mental health, mental health awareness, reduce the stigma, it’s ok to not be ok, anxiety, depression, changes, transitions, school, summer, summer vacation, summer break, vacation, new beginnings, teachers, middle school, elementary school, sleep, sleep hygiene, memories, keepsakes, year, COVID-19, planning, schedules, school’s out, summer camp, camp, sleep away camp, sports, activities