• Talking parental malaise with the New York Times

    I was so glad to speak with Jessica Grose, opinion writer for the New York Times’ Parenting, for this piece about the parental malaise many of us have been experiencing since life has returned to “normal.” I underscored what I often tell patients–that engaging in values-consistent activities is a crucial coping strategy. Grose put it so well when she said…

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  • What to do when you see your kid struggling with the things you struggle with

    I was excited to contribute to this piece by the always-excellent Jessica Grose for The New York Times Parenting. It can be hard when you see your kid struggling with the exact same things you struggle with. (And I can also completely relate on a personal level, as my older son is basically a sports-loving version of me.) The upshot:…

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  • My latest in The Washington Post: Managing parental anxiety when *everything* feels high-stakes

    Since the pandemic started, we parents have been reminded *every single day* that it’s our job to keep our kids safe. While we were aware of this responsibility before COVID-19, it seems like our experiences with COVID have amplified that feeling of responsibility, to the point where we’re becoming anxious about formerly inconsequential day-to-day childcare matters. I’ve been witnessing this…

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  • How parents must respond to racial injustice

    For the past few days I’ve been trying, and failing, to write coherently about the murder of George Floyd. As a professional who works with mothers, I wanted to write something acknowledging the critical role that parents play in combating racism. But I’ve honestly had difficulty finding the right words. Fortunately, my colleague and dear friend Dr. Rebecca Schrag Hershberg…

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  • When sheltering in place puts parenting on display: Dealing with judgment during COVID-19

    I’ve noticed an interesting trend in my therapy sessions with parents over the past few weeks. While most aspects of their lives have become far more private (they’re not leaving their homes or seeing anyone, after all), their parenting seems to have become more public. Now, there’s a whole new audience to observe and potentially judge their interactions with their…

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  • Children’s Mental Health Week in the UK

    Children’s mental health has been in the news this week, as it’s Children’s Mental Health Week in the UK. We pay such close attention to our children’s physical health, but we’re far less vigilant about their mental well-being. Just as we adults can struggle with anxiety, depression, and other issues, so too can kids. But unlike adults, kids might not…

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Proven Strategies to Fight the Anxiety, Guilt, and Overwhelming Emotions of Motherhood—and Relax into Your New Self

About Me

I’m Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco, Ph.D., aka DrCBTMom. DrCBTMom.com combines the expert advice of a self-help book with the warmth and readability of a mommy blog.
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