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Behavior Problems, Behavior Solutions

Defending the so-called “problem child” and supporting effective parenting.

Anxiety
Why You Can’t Cope Your Way Out of Anxiety

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on May 4, 2024

If coping skills remain our approach to anxiety management after months of treatment, then we’re putting a band-aid on a wound that requires stitches.

If coping skills remain our approach to anxiety management after months of treatment, then we’re putting a band-aid on a wound that requires stitches.

Parenting
The Importance of Process vs. Outcome Compliments for Kids

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on August 18, 2023

Why thinking twice about praising performance outcomes—and turning attention to the process instead—will help your child develop resilience and self-esteem.

Why thinking twice about praising performance outcomes—and turning attention to the process instead—will help your child develop resilience and self-esteem.

Anxiety
What Does It Mean to Externalize a Mental Illness?

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on July 21, 2023

Personal Perspective: Psychological diagnoses are often perceived as tightly bound to someone's very humanity. Externalization separates the two and brings positive outcomes.

Personal Perspective: Psychological diagnoses are often perceived as tightly bound to someone's very humanity. Externalization separates the two and brings positive outcomes.

Anxiety
How to Talk to Kids About Anxiety

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on October 23, 2022

It's so tough to know where to start when we notice a child struggling with anxiety. These five tips can go a long way to help.

It's so tough to know where to start when we notice a child struggling with anxiety. These five tips can go a long way to help.

Health
The COVID-19 Child Mental Health Pandemic

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on November 2, 2021

Research on child mental health outcomes resulting from pandemic measures is yet to be fully determined. An expert child psychologist weighs in with her insight.

Research on child mental health outcomes resulting from pandemic measures is yet to be fully determined. An expert child psychologist weighs in with her insight.

Parenting
The Trouble with Helicopter, Lawnmower, and Tiger Parents

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on June 23, 2021

Raised by a helicopter parent? Worried you might be one yourself? Empirical evidence suggests a motivation for over-parenting and describes outcomes for children.

Raised by a helicopter parent? Worried you might be one yourself? Empirical evidence suggests a motivation for over-parenting and describes outcomes for children.

Parenting
What a Son Needs From His Dad

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on March 7, 2021

In this fourth installment of what kids need from their parents, here are five empirical research findings on father-son relationships.

In this fourth installment of what kids need from their parents, here are five empirical research findings on father-son relationships.

Parenting
5 Things a Daughter Needs From Her Mother

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on February 28, 2021

In this third installment of what kids need from their parents, here are five empirical research findings on mother-daughter relationships.

In this third installment of what kids need from their parents, here are five empirical research findings on mother-daughter relationships.

Relationships
What a Girl Needs from Her Dad

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on December 20, 2020

A brief look at what the research tells us about short- and long-term outcomes associated with father-daughter relationship qualities and characteristics.

A brief look at what the research tells us about short- and long-term outcomes associated with father-daughter relationship qualities and characteristics.

Divorce
Coparenting With an Ex: Battleground vs. Common Ground

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on December 19, 2020

Whatever your feelings towards your ex, you would do anything for your kids. Research tells us that cooperative post-divorce coparenting benefits kids and parents alike.

Whatever your feelings towards your ex, you would do anything for your kids. Research tells us that cooperative post-divorce coparenting benefits kids and parents alike.

Health
Does My Child Need Therapy?

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on September 28, 2020

Growing numbers of children and teens are experiencing psychological problems. Here's how to tell it's time to involve a qualified professional.

Growing numbers of children and teens are experiencing psychological problems. Here's how to tell it's time to involve a qualified professional.

Adolescence
3 (More) Tactics of Manipulative Parents

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on August 31, 2020

Parents seeking to guide their child(ren)'s development without employing manipulative tactics should carefully examine the content of and motivations for their communication.

Parents seeking to guide their child(ren)'s development without employing manipulative tactics should carefully examine the content of and motivations for their communication.

Child Development
How Positive Coparenting Produces Mentally Healthy Kids

Daniel Flint Ph.D. on June 8, 2020

This article uses research evidence to explain how coparenting is conceptually unique, and how positive coparenting processes help parents raise psychologically healthy kids.

This article uses research evidence to explain how coparenting is conceptually unique, and how positive coparenting processes help parents raise psychologically healthy kids.