In this episode, Mike and Liz discuss ways to strengthen family relationships. They provide four tangible ideas that will help to foster a healthy family culture and enhance the bond of family members. They provide insights on the importance of these types of activities, and how to include them into a busy lifestyle. Resources: Family Questions Activity (Worksheet) | Therapist Aid Relationship Gratitude Tips (Worksheet) | Therapist Aid Disclaimer...

Mike and Liz discuss the basics of the communication skill, validation, and provide an understanding of why it is crucial for healthy relationships. Mike and Liz talk about what is validation, why it matters, and how to best provide validation in communication. They also discuss what validation is not and provide helpful tips on how to apply this communication skill right away. Resources: Reflective statements: Reflections: Communication Skill (Worksheet) | Therapist Aid Book: THE ART...

Being willing to take ownership and responsibility is part of any healthy relationship. And being accountable for your actions is an empowering reminder that you have lots of control in your relationship. In this episode, Liz and Mike talk about what taking responsibility in your relationships truly looks like. They give tips on how to take ownership of your actions as well as how to avoid misplacing blame. Check out the episode and take your relationships to the next level. Resources:...

Relationships can be very tricky when attempting to decipher the fine line between appropriate compromise versus betraying our own wants, needs, and boundaries. Mike and Liz explore six primary components to consider when contemplating what a healthy relationship looks like. Whether you are currently in a relationship, or single and looking to start a new relationship, it is crucial it includes safety, respect, trust... and certainly fun! Resources: Book: Attached: The New Science of...

Valentine’s Day can be hard whether you are single or in a relationship. In this podcast Liz and Mike give some tips on how to make the day a great one. They discuss the importance of being intentional about the day and not just expecting it to go well. Liz and Mike talk through some suggestions on how to spend the day, including getting some time outside, indulging in your favorite foods and doing some gratitude journaling. Listen to this episode to ensure that you have a great...

Effective communication can be really hard! It can be difficult to express ourselves openly and honestly out of fear of being dismissed or misunderstood. In this episode, Mike and Liz discuss five ways to improve your communication skills in order to be more clear with the messages that you are sending, as well as to be more attentive and understanding with the messages that you are receiving. Resources: Book: Couple Skills: Making your Relationship Work / Author: McKay, Fanning, &...

Elizabeth and Michael review 5 basic things that every kid or teen needs to hear from their parents. They talk through the importance of parents being openly complementary of each other in front of others. They also detail how critical it is for parents to be open about what is difficult for them as well as asking for help when it’s needed. Lastly, Elizabeth and Michael review the ways to explain emotions to kids and teens. Resources: Book: 50 Things You Needed To Hear As a Child 50...

The holidays can be a wonderful experience for kids. However, with lots of new toys and games, sharing those new things can often be difficult. Michael and Elizabeth discuss the best ways to get siblings to be able to share with one another. They talk through the ways to prepare your children for difficult situations that tend to come up in the home. Michael and Elizabeth also give tips on using praise when sharing goes well. Lastly, the go through how to avoid accusations and...

Michael and Elizabeth explore barriers to busy parents setting and maintaining personal goals. They discuss the importance of parents making themselves a priority and how this sets a great example for your children. Michael and Elizabeth provide ideas on how to set goals and ways to follow through on the necessary habits to reach these goals. Resources: Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear Book: Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin App: Productive Disclaimer...

Michael and Elizabeth discuss the difficulties of peer conflict and natural tendencies as parents to be either under or overly involved in this conflict. They discuss ways to ensure your child is being supported, as well as suggestions for your role in this process. They provide tangible take-aways on meeting your child’s emotional needs, as well as assisting your child in learning necessary lessons to carry throughout life. Resources: Book: Boundaries with Kids by Cloud and Townsend Book:...

Welcome back to Always Evolving. In this week’s episode, Liz and Mike discuss the best ways to help deal with your child when they have a nightmare. They get into the reasons why nightmares happen. Liz and Mike also break down how to prevent nightmares for kid along with the best things to do in the moment when a child wakes up from a nightmare. They also go over the best tips about how to follow up the morning after a nightmare. Resources: Calm, Cool and Connected Podcast: How to Get...

Welcome back to Always Evolving. In this week’s episode, Liz and Mike look at all the reasons why it is so hard to wake up your kid. They break down how to look at the most important questions to ask about why it might be so hard for your youth in the mornings. Liz and Mike discuss the importance of an evening and morning routine along with the importance of positive praise when things are going right. Lastly, they give 8 great tips on how to structure the mornings for a great wake...

Welcome back to Always Evolving. In this week’s episode, Liz and Mike dig into the reasons why your teen doesn’t want to spend time with you the way that they used to. And yes, your teen probably still loves you. Liz and Mike review that it is developmentally appropriate for your teen to focus more on their peers than their parents. Liz and Mike also give ways to examine if your relationship with your teen is strong enough for them to want to spend time with you. Lastly, Liz and Mike...

Welcome back to Always Evolving. In this week’s episode, Liz and Mike talk about ways to support your child with anxiety. They go through the obvious not so obvious signs of anxiety that your child may show. Liz and Mike also review the importance of co-regulation with your child as well as the ways to help your child co-regulate. They also give some great take-away’s for how to avoid shaming your child for their anxiety. Resources: NPR Podcast: How To Help A Child With Anxiety How To...

Divorce is a really difficult and confusing time for both parents and kids. Transitioning to new living environments, the financial burden, and the emotional toll can all be really overwhelming. On top of that, trying to remain calm and present for your kids can feel almost impossible. In this episode, Mike and Liz discuss ways to help both you and your child navigate through the divorce process. They provide ideas on ways meet your child’s social-emotional needs during this time, while also...

Welcome back to Always Evolving. In this week’s episode, Liz and Mike talk about the best ways to help “scaffold” and support your child so that they can succeed at school. Liz and Mike take a controversial stance on whether parents should focus on grades as well as the importance of praising your child. They go through the importance of a daily routine and having a dedicated homework space. Resources: Getting Your Kid To Do What You Ask - YouT ube Strengthening Your Relationship With...

Parents are often looking for the most effective discipline techniques, when in fact, getting your kid to comply prior to using discipline is actually the most effective approach for increasing compliance and is also the best method for maintaining the quality of the parent-child relationship. Mike and Liz explore through various methods to help you to get your kid to listen and comply without the need for consequences. Resources: Beyond Time-Out: From Chaos to Calm: Grosshans Ph.D., Beth...

Welcome back to Always Evolving. In this week’s episode, Liz and Mike talk about the tips and tricks to be a patient parent, even when it’s really difficult. Kids can do a great job at pushing our buttons and getting us angry. Elizabeth and Michael go over their 4 steps for success so that you can remain calm. Tune in to find out the ways to stay cool even when your child is heating up. Resources: Communicating More Effectively (Five Necessary Skills) - YouTube Why Do Kids Lie? -...

Elizabeth and Michael detail how to stop always having to play the “bad cop” when parenting.  They get into how to break up the patterns and present a united front..  Elizabeth and Michael review the ways you can build upon where you agree and how to dole out consequences together.  They finish up with emphasizing the importance of giving lots of praise and not just focusing on consequences   Areas to address: -Why it’s a problem:             -Makes one parent ineffective in dealing with...

Michael and Elizabeth discuss the fourth and final attachment style, secure attachment. They discuss how this attachment style develops in childhood, as well as how it can be achieved later in life if it was not the primary attachment style developed for an individual. They provide insights regarding how a secure attachment style impact all types of relationships and the benefits of working to achieve this attachment style. Resources: -Raising a Secure Child: How Circle of Security...

Michael and Elizabeth dig deep into the disorganized attachment style.   They discuss what causes this attachment style and the ways that it will show up in the lives of those who are attached this way. They discuss common triggers for this attachment style and how a person with disorganized attachment can react to those triggers. Michael and Elizabeth discuss ways to more towards a more secure attachment style for individuals who identify with a disorganized attachment style.  Finally, they...

Michael and Elizabeth take a deep dive into the avoidant attachment style and discuss how it often develops, as well as how it shows up in all types of relationships. They discuss common triggers for this attachment style and how an avoidantly attached person might react to those triggers. Michael and Elizabeth discuss ways to more towards a more secure attachment style for individuals who identify with an avoidant attachment style.  Finally, they review ways to support the people in your...

Michael and Elizabeth dive deeper into the anxious attachment style and discuss how it often develops, as well as how it shows up in adult relationships. They discuss common triggers for this attachment style and how it might impact romantic relationships and parenting behaviors. Michael and Elizabeth discuss ways to more towards a more secure attachment style for individuals who identify with an anxious attachment style, as well as discuss ways to support individuals in your life who might...

Michael and Elizabeth provide an understanding of attachment styles and how they influence relationships in adulthood, including romantic, friendships, and with parenting. They briefly explain the four different attachment styles, how they often develop as a result of childhood experiences, and how they might be showing up in relationships present day. Michael and Elizabeth will provide a more in-depth look into each of these attachment styles over the next four episodes and will help you to...