Many of us feel overwhelmed by the pace and demands of life. Polyvagal Theory helps us to understanding of the physiology of self-regulation and access tools to restore ourselves to our zone of tolerance. Here are some important concepts and terms: Polyvagal Theory – Polyvagal Theory according to Steven Porges – Our nervous system…
At the beginning of March, I decided to experiment and create a multisensory tool to keep track of my thoughts, feelings, and sensations as I recorded my activities. Ideas for Journaling For years, I would buy an oversized teacher’s planner to use as a written agenda and journal. It was inexpensive and provided room…
In 1983 I decided it would be a good idea to become a psychotherapist. Being Chassidic, I wasn’t going to enroll in graduate school and enter a profession without the Rebbe’s blessing. I sat down and wrote a long letter. My letter explained how I had expected to be a professional when I was…
If you’re anything like me, you juggle tasks like a circus performer. How often do you drop a task? Do you forget to run an important errand? Do you arrive on time for a meeting, except the meeting is the following week? There are different kinds of tasks. Some tasks have to be done…
It’s 7:30 am. We have to be in the car to drive carpool in twenty minutes. Our 8-year-old son is still in his pajamas. This happens every morning. I wonder if I should dress him myself or force him to go to school in his pajamas. I know one thing; this is a problem…
Deb has just finished breakfast. She plans to go outside and play with her friends. Her friends are free until lunch time. After breakfast, her sister asks Deb to help her find her socks. At 10 am, Deb brushes her teeth and returns to her room. Deb is on her way out and mom…
As a homemaker and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who juggles family responsibilities and a profession, it’s not uncommon for me to feel overwhelmed. Since self-care starts at home, I decided to study Polyvagal Theory to update my understanding of the physiology of self-regulation. Terms to know Polyvagal Theory – Polyvagal Theory according to…
One morning, in my middle school classroom, a student reported that there was a shooting on his block. Other students, living on the same block, reported that they heard the shots. A middle school student, struggling with learning difficulties and disruptive behavior, was responsible for security at home. The family was surrounded by active…
You’ve done well! Here’s a badge! This kind of reward system is common in games. Feedback and reinforcement can produce learned behavior. This is called operant conditioning. However, sooner or later, extrinsic rewards time out and lose their power. Points for no value actually lower motivation. So what is it that keeps players in…
Passover is a challenging holiday for most families I know, including mine. Let’s use the “Dayenu” song (It would have been enough!) to list some of the obvious triggers: Remove all food from the house. Dayeinu! Clean the kitchen perfectly and re-kosher the counters, sink, stove, and ovens. Dayeinu! Lock up the year-round dishes…