Aligning for Growth

Parenting

In Defense of "Gentle Parenting"

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on April 11, 2026

People love to endorse some parenting behaviors while deriding others on social media. But parenting isn't about entertainment. It's about what's best for kids.

People love to endorse some parenting behaviors while deriding others on social media. But parenting isn't about entertainment. It's about what's best for kids.

Anxiety

Don’t Dread Ahead

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on March 21, 2026

While coping ahead is a helpful strategy for managing worry, dreading ahead causes a host of problems. Individuals can develop skills to avoid this pitfall.

While coping ahead is a helpful strategy for managing worry, dreading ahead causes a host of problems. Individuals can develop skills to avoid this pitfall.

Self-Esteem

When Praise Is Not the Answer

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on February 7, 2026

"I'm so ugly!" How do you answer without agreeing or dismissing the person's feelings or experience? Here are some issues to think about and helpful ways to respond.

"I'm so ugly!" How do you answer without agreeing or dismissing the person's feelings or experience? Here are some issues to think about and helpful ways to respond.

Behaviorism

The Sticky Wicket of Sticker Charts

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on January 24, 2026

Reinforcers can be effective tools for helping to shape your child's behavior, but consider these issues before implementing a reward program.

Reinforcers can be effective tools for helping to shape your child's behavior, but consider these issues before implementing a reward program.

Career

Takeaways From the TV Show “Call the Midwife”

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on December 9, 2025

“Call the Midwife,” an engaging TV show set in a different time in London, models effective strategies for handling challenging medical, social, and mental health issues.

“Call the Midwife,” an engaging TV show set in a different time in London, models effective strategies for handling challenging medical, social, and mental health issues.

Parenting

The Challenge of Parenting Young Adults

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on November 22, 2025

Recognizing that young adults will make mistakes and face disappointment can help parents negotiate this stage.

Recognizing that young adults will make mistakes and face disappointment can help parents negotiate this stage.

Shame

The Emotional Ramifications of “I Told You So”

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on November 16, 2025

"I told you so" is a common response to the mistakes of others. Though the temptation is understandable, it has unintended negative effects. There are more productive responses.

"I told you so" is a common response to the mistakes of others. Though the temptation is understandable, it has unintended negative effects. There are more productive responses.

Education

A Psychologist's Perspective on the Show "Supernanny"

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on October 27, 2025

The TV show "Supernanny" demonstrates interventions for challenging child behavior. Does "Supernanny" get it right or miss the mark?

The TV show "Supernanny" demonstrates interventions for challenging child behavior. Does "Supernanny" get it right or miss the mark?

Psych Careers

Expectations for Quality Supervision

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on August 18, 2025

The importance of quality clinical supervision cannot be overstated. Excellent supervision requires dedication to the process by both supervisor and trainee.

The importance of quality clinical supervision cannot be overstated. Excellent supervision requires dedication to the process by both supervisor and trainee.

Parenting

Timing Is Everything: Effective Times to Intervene When Parenting

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on August 2, 2025

Parents often respond to kids' difficult behavior after the fact. But there may be different times to intervene that are more beneficial.

Parents often respond to kids' difficult behavior after the fact. But there may be different times to intervene that are more beneficial.

Stress

Feel Better by Doing Less

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on July 26, 2025

Is your life filled with stress? Adding stress-reduction activities into your schedule may not be the answer. Instead, think about what you can let go of.

Is your life filled with stress? Adding stress-reduction activities into your schedule may not be the answer. Instead, think about what you can let go of.

Attachment

Don’t Laugh When Your Child Is Crying

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on June 7, 2025

Everyday parenting behaviors can seem problematic when viewed through the lens of attachment research. Case in point: parents laughing when their child cries.

Everyday parenting behaviors can seem problematic when viewed through the lens of attachment research. Case in point: parents laughing when their child cries.

Parenting

Family Dinner Out: A Recipe for Success

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on May 17, 2025

Wouldn’t it be great to go out together as a family? Before heading off to a restaurant, review these concrete suggestions for making time together in public fun for everyone.

Wouldn’t it be great to go out together as a family? Before heading off to a restaurant, review these concrete suggestions for making time together in public fun for everyone.

Bullying

7 Strategies to Help Your Child When They Are a Bully

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on May 6, 2025

Imagine receiving a call from your child’s school saying that your child is bullying others. Here are concrete strategies to deal with this difficult challenge.

Imagine receiving a call from your child’s school saying that your child is bullying others. Here are concrete strategies to deal with this difficult challenge.

Parenting

7 Ideas for Creating Nurturing Moments

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on March 23, 2025

We see great benefits when families bond through creating nurturing moments. This is a brief, how-to guide to assist caregivers.

We see great benefits when families bond through creating nurturing moments. This is a brief, how-to guide to assist caregivers.

Anxiety

Should Political Anxiety Disorder Be a Diagnosis?

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on February 11, 2025

Political anxiety has become a dominant theme in our culture. We present some of the prominent features and suggestions about how to help.

Political anxiety has become a dominant theme in our culture. We present some of the prominent features and suggestions about how to help.

Parenting

The Perils of Having a 'Perfect' Parent

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on January 26, 2025

The author met a nearly perfect parent very early in her career as a psychotherapist. Surprisingly, the perfection caused problems for her teenaged daughter.

The author met a nearly perfect parent very early in her career as a psychotherapist. Surprisingly, the perfection caused problems for her teenaged daughter.

Stress

The Stress Caused by Tracking

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on January 13, 2025

While tracking can be helpful, quantifying and monitoring everything from the steps we take to the food we eat can cause stress and a sense of obligation. There's a better approach.

While tracking can be helpful, quantifying and monitoring everything from the steps we take to the food we eat can cause stress and a sense of obligation. There's a better approach.