There are various barriers that can get in the way of effective communication with those we care about, (e.g., partners, friends, children, parents), which can then worsen our relationships. The following are some common barriers in productive communication with others.   Not listening to the other person. Active listening is a skill that takes a lot of practice. Have you […]

There are various ways to cope with strong, negative emotions. One method is through self-soothing, which is when you comfort yourself through the five senses. By engaging in self-soothing, you can reduce the level of distress you are feeling. The following are examples of self-soothing you can engage in (*Note* The lists are not comprehensive). The Sense of Smell Candles, […]

It can sometimes be a struggle to get children to follow rules and expectations that have been laid out for them. More often than not, when rule-breaking occurs, what follows is the yelling of “don’t do that!” or “stop it!” However, that is likely not the most effective way of engaging with a child. Like adults, children simply want their […]