The Older Dad

Parenting

Behavioral Parents, Not Gentle Parents, Build Self-Control

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on April 15, 2026

When it comes to parenting, empathy matters. But so do consequences.

When it comes to parenting, empathy matters. But so do consequences.

Autism

My Child Has Autism: How Do I Know the Program Is Working?

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on April 14, 2026

Is your child's ABA program producing practical value—or just tidy graphs? The standard has existed since 1968. Here's how to use it.

Is your child's ABA program producing practical value—or just tidy graphs? The standard has existed since 1968. Here's how to use it.

Punishment

Yelling at Your Child Won't Work—but Something Else Does

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on April 10, 2026

Parents often feel better when they reprimand their kids, but they often keep facing the same problem behaviors. Here's how to change a child's behavior without getting angry.

Parents often feel better when they reprimand their kids, but they often keep facing the same problem behaviors. Here's how to change a child's behavior without getting angry.

Mating

6 Tips for Safe Online Dating During COVID-19

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on December 15, 2020

Unable to meet someone "in the real world?" Use these tips to stay safe in the COVID-19 driven online dating surge.

Unable to meet someone "in the real world?" Use these tips to stay safe in the COVID-19 driven online dating surge.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

4 Fears to Overcome About the COVID-19 Vaccine

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on December 14, 2020

Are you afraid to be vaccinated from COVID-19? Here are some practical ways to re-think your fears of being vaccinated.

Are you afraid to be vaccinated from COVID-19? Here are some practical ways to re-think your fears of being vaccinated.

Anxiety

3 Key Parenting Tips when Children See Horrific Events on TV

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on October 7, 2017

Are your children anxious from the media coverage of horrific events? Here are tips to identify their anxiety and help them cope with their fears.

Are your children anxious from the media coverage of horrific events? Here are tips to identify their anxiety and help them cope with their fears.

Relationships

4 Road Signs You're in The Land Where Love Dies

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on October 1, 2017

Has your love been crushed by the weight of loneliness? Here are four things that can help revive your love.

Has your love been crushed by the weight of loneliness? Here are four things that can help revive your love.

Suicide

"Make the Pain Stop" When Children Consider Suicide

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on September 22, 2016

Some young children think about suicide, but adults often never hear the cry for help.

Some young children think about suicide, but adults often never hear the cry for help.

Relationships

When It’s Crazy, It’s Not Love!

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on April 30, 2016

Have your friends told you you're crazy to be with someone? Find for insane patterns in unhealthy relationships

Have your friends told you you're crazy to be with someone? Find for insane patterns in unhealthy relationships

Depression

Say Yes to Happiness and No to Depression

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on January 31, 2016

Has life taken on never-ending gray skies? Find out how to get the sun to shine.

Has life taken on never-ending gray skies? Find out how to get the sun to shine.

Loneliness

5 Things That Can Kill Your Relationship

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on June 2, 2015

Five ways to drive love from your relationship—and how to get it back.

Five ways to drive love from your relationship—and how to get it back.

Anxiety

Easing Flying Fears after the Germanwings Crash

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on March 27, 2015

Don't let the crash in the Alps make your flying phobia resurface.

Don't let the crash in the Alps make your flying phobia resurface.

Media

Virtual Visits to the Dark Side of Others' Lives

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on October 11, 2014

Is social media our virtual tour guide to the "dark" events in celebrities' lives...triggering our emotions as if we were visiting a haunted hotel?

Is social media our virtual tour guide to the "dark" events in celebrities' lives...triggering our emotions as if we were visiting a haunted hotel?

Career

FitBiTillomania: A Great “Obsession”

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on September 16, 2014

The Fitbit has changed many of us into healthier step-aholics.....and this little "obsession" rewards us each step along the way.

The Fitbit has changed many of us into healthier step-aholics.....and this little "obsession" rewards us each step along the way.

Body Language

Active Listening Is a Key to Great Interactions

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on September 4, 2014

Great listening means more than just using your ears. Interacting effectively includes hearing, seeing, and asking great questions.

Great listening means more than just using your ears. Interacting effectively includes hearing, seeing, and asking great questions.

Parenting

ADHD: Behavioral Parenting Supported (Again) By Research

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on August 29, 2014

Newly published study again shows that positive, behavioral parenting of children with ADHD works.

Newly published study again shows that positive, behavioral parenting of children with ADHD works.

Relationships

Transforming Criticism Into Connection

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on August 25, 2014

Criticism can be more than pointing fingers. Here are four ways to build closeness when you complain about something.

Criticism can be more than pointing fingers. Here are four ways to build closeness when you complain about something.

Relationships

The Antidote to Poisonous Communication

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on August 21, 2014

Communication isn't always good for a couple. Sometimes it can poison love...but there are antidotes.

Communication isn't always good for a couple. Sometimes it can poison love...but there are antidotes.

Motivation

6 Ways to Diagnose a Relationship That's Unhealthy

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on March 15, 2014

Six ways to tell if your love will keep your heart whole, or leave a hole in your heart.

Six ways to tell if your love will keep your heart whole, or leave a hole in your heart.

Trust

Rebuilding Trust: Moments to Make Better Memories

Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D., ABPP on March 27, 2013

Rebuild Your Trust Through Simple, but Powerful, Moments

Rebuild Your Trust Through Simple, but Powerful, Moments