Notes from the consulting room.
Essays, explainers, and reading from the clinicians at PBBHW. Written for the people in our waiting room, not for other psychologists.
Meet the Clinicians Supporting Mental Health in Palm Beach County
Recent search trends show growing interest in individual providers at Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness, including Dr. Morgan Thoma…
Staff Spotlight: Dr. Sarah Barr
Dr. Sarah Barr, PsyD, is a psychologist at Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness who is passionate about helping children, teens, and f…
Early Autism Assessments in Palm Beach County: Why Clarity Matters
When developmental differences appear in communication, social interaction, or behavior, parents often feel uncertain about what to do ne…
Do I Need Psychological Testing or Therapy? How to Decide
If you’re feeling unsure about whether you or your child needs therapy, psychological testing, or both, you’re not alone. This is one of…
What Happens After an ADHD or Autism Evaluation? Next Steps for Families in Palm Beach County
For many families, scheduling an ADHD or autism evaluation is a big step - and it’s often accompanied by uncertainty about what comes nex…
Quantity vs. Quality: Why Meaningful Time With Your Child Matters More
Many parents in Palm Beach County feel stretched thin balancing work, school, activities, and family responsibilities. Even when doing th…
Make the Palm Beach 2-Week Mind & Mood Reset Last: Mental Health Habits for 2026
You’ve completed the Palm Beach 2-Week Mind & Mood Reset! Now it’s time to take these positive changes beyond the two weeks and make them…
Week 1 of the Palm Beach 2-Week Mind & Mood Reset: Build Habits for a Healthier Mind
Welcome to Week 1 of the Palm Beach 2-Week Mind & Mood Reset! This week is all about laying the foundation for a healthier mind, improved…
Week 2 of the Palm Beach 2-Week Mind & Mood Reset: Strengthen Your Mind & Mood
Congratulations! You’ve completed Week 1 of the Palm Beach 2-Week Mind & Mood Reset. Week 2 focuses on reinforcing habits, deepening mind…
Surviving the Holiday Season Stress Without Burning Out
The holiday season often comes with more pressure than peace. Between family gatherings, packed schedules, financial strain, and emotiona…
Palm Beach 2-Week Mind & Mood Reset: Jumpstart a Healthier, Happier You
The New Year is the perfect time to reset your mind, your habits, and your outlook. That’s why we created the Palm Beach 2-Week Mind & Mo…
Healing Without Shame: Understanding Your Nervous System’s Protective Role
At Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness in Palm Beach, FL, we often see clients who feel frustrated by their own reactions. You might…
When Big Emotions Take Over: Emotional Regulation Testing and Support for Children
Every child experiences big feelings - anger, frustration, sadness, or worry. But when these emotions become overwhelming or interfere wi…
Staff Spotlight: Dr. Morgan Thomas
At Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness, we’re proud to have Dr. Morgan Thomas on our team. Driven by natural empathy, curiosity, and…
Parenting With Connection: 5 Powerful Lessons From Dr. Becky Kennedy
At Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness, we’re inspired by the work of Dr. Becky Kennedy (@drbeckyatgoodinside), a clinical psychologi…
Understanding Learning Differences: When to Seek a Psychoeducational Evaluation
Every child learns differently - but when schoolwork becomes a daily struggle or progress seems out of sync with effort, a psychoeducatio…
4 Tricks to Calm Your Runaway Brain with Dr. Raquel Anderson and Dory
Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Dr. Raquel Anderson, licensed psychologist at Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness, along with Dory -…
Assessing Anxiety in Children Around Major Life Changes: Moving, Divorce, or Family Relocation
Major life changes - like moving to a new home, divorce, or a family relocation - can be stressful for children. At PBBHW, our team of li…
Understanding Autism Assessments in Palm Beach County: Early Identification and Support for Families
Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can make a profound difference in a child’s growth and overall well-being. At PBBH…
ADHD Testing in Palm Beach County: Signs, Benefits, and Next Steps for Children & Adults
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions - but it’s also widely misunderst…
Staff Spotlight: Dr. Brandi Rials
At Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness, we’re proud to spotlight Brandi Rials, Licensed Psychologist and co-owner of PBBHW. Brandi’s…
Understanding Psychological Assessments in Jupiter, FL: How They Support Your Well-Being
At Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness in Jupiter, FL, understanding how you think, feel, and behave is a vital step toward overall w…
Staff Spotlight: Dr. Jaimie St. Ama
Dr. Jaimie St. Ama brings a unique perspective to Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness, shaped by her military background and deep com…
Staff Spotlight: Dr. Kelly Everson
In this week’s staff spotlight, we get to know Dr. Kelly Everson, a dedicated psychologist at Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness in…
Staff Spotlight: Dr. Gretchen Quattlebaum, PsyD
Dr. Gretchen Quattlebaum is a Licensed Psychologist at Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness in Jupiter, FL. She specializes in compreh…
What to Expect From Therapy
Before meeting with a clinician:Consider carefully what you (and/or your child) want and need. Think through these questions:- What are t…
How to Survive Summer and Unstructured Time
Many of the things that are meant to be enjoyable about summer can be miserable for our kids. Loud noises, bright lights, crowds, unstruc…
Quick Grounding Technique: The Two Minute Answer to Anxiety
From Dr. Stephanie Larsen
Tasks to Build Focus Skills Through the Summer
Developmental experts say that, on average, a child through young adult should be able to stay focused on a task for two to five minutes…
Fostering Grit and Increasing Your Child's Frustration Tolerance
Triggers and Situations that Lower a Child's Frustration Tolerance:
Understanding the Benefits of Psychoeducational Testing for Children and Parents
Our education system is structured around testing and standardized testing is one of the most stressful events for our children and teens…
Mastering Time Management When School's Out: Practical Tips for Parents
Many of the things that are meant to be enjoyable about summer can be miserable for our kids. Loud noises, bright lights, crowds, unstruc…
Quality Time vs. Quantity Time: Impact on Child Development
As a busy culture we find often ourselves running between work, school, music, and sports, juggling our time trying to fit everything in.…
Are you struggling with obesity?
Are you struggling with obesity? Like millions of Americans, you are not alone. Obesity continues to be a major health epidemic in the Un…
Dr. Brandi’s Media and Food 101
We have all heard the adage, “You are what you eat” and as important as it is to know this for ourselves it is even more vital to impart…
EMDR by Dr. Sue Brown
Dr. Sue Brown is excited to announce that she recently went to part one of an Eye Movement and Desensitization (EMDR) training. Developed…
Enhancing the Parent-Child Relationship Through Play by Dennette Hall
While independent play at all developmental levels is important, research shows that play with parents and caregivers is equally as vital…
Moving out! Planning for Smooth Transitions
High school graduation signifies a time of transition. For most, such major changes are both exciting and scary at the same time. Graduat…
Postpartum Depression
Pregnancy can be an exciting time in a woman's life. Bringing a new person into the world and enjoying the prospect of motherhood as a be…
Self-Injury and Adolescents by Dr. Kelly Everson and Dr. Brandi Rials
Palm Beach Behavioral Health and Wellness has recently received an increase in calls related to adolescents engaging in self-injury; a to…
Simon Says “Go” – Enhancing Self-Regulation with Play by Dr. Dennette Hall
Children learn and express themselves through play and imagination. Through play, critical brain development occurs to specifically enhan…
Stress Relief and Self-Care for Parents by Dr. Kelly Everson and Dr. Brandi Rials
Stress management is an important skill for all parents. These tips can help you learn to manage your stress and live a happier, more sat…
The Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet by Katy Dorendorf, Psy.D.
The Gluten free, casein free diet, By Katy Dorendorf, Psy.D.
Traveling with Children of All Ages
Summer time means vacation time! Most often, family vacations are full of joy, excitement, and fun! While most families enjoy the time sp…
When Parenting Gets Difficult! Effectively Parenting Teenagers
A parent’s goal is often to help their teenager become a healthy, happy, and independent individual. In the pre-teen and teenage years th…
Adding New Siblings to the Mix by Dr. Kelly Everson and Dr. Brandi Rials
Adding New Siblings to the Mix: Helping Transitions for Children
How do you know if our practice is right for you or your child? By Dr. Lee Ann Lehman
Before meeting with a PBBHW behavioral health clinician: Consider carefully what you and your child want and need. Try to think through t…
Separation Anxiety: Is it Supposed to be This Hard? By Dr. Stephanie Larsen
One of the more difficult things for a parent to witness is their child crying and pleading for them to not leave or go to work. These ti…
Assessing your Child for Self-Harming Behaviors
Dr. Stephanie Larsen
Evaluating Treatment Research: How do I know what to choose?
By Katy Dorendorf, Psy.D.
Food Aversion
Sensory Food Aversion
How to Survive the Holidays and Unstructured Time
Kelly Everson, PsyD and Brandi Rials, PsyD
Perfectionism
By: Stephanie Larsen, Psy.D
Self-Injury: Making Sense of Your Child’s Pain
Finding out that your child has deliberately harmed him or herself often leads parents down a spiral of fear and anger. Many parents’ fea…
Special Needs Children and Personal Space
Children on the autism spectrum aren’t the only kids who can benefit from learning about the concept of personal space. Children with AD…
Stress Management: How You Can Reduce, Prevent, and Cope with Stress Today!
Some days it may seem that there is nothing that can be done to reduce stress. We get overwhelmed with bills and sometimes it seems there…
Stress Relief and Self-Care for Parents
Stress management is an important skill for all parents. These tips can help you learn to manage your stress and live a happier, more sat…
Test Anxiety and Standardized Testing Prep
With the start of fall comes cooler weather, family holidays, pumpkin pie, and the dreaded season of testing. It is the time of the year…
The Importance of Extracurricular Activities for Children by Dr. Kelly Everson and Dr. Brandi Rials
With school in full swing, children are (hopefully!) back to studying, spending time on their homework and going to bed at a reasonable h…
The New Treatment on the Early Intervention Scene: What is the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)?
By Dr. Katy Dorendorf
What are Complementary and Alternative Methods of Treatment (CAM)?
By Katy Dorendorf, PsyD
What are executive functions?
The executive functions are a set of processes that all have to do with managing oneself and one's resources in order to achieve a goal.
What to expect from therapy
Before meeting with a PBBHW clinician:
When should I be concerned about my child’s development? by Dr. Katy Dorendorf
A child’s development is gauged not only by physical growth, but also by how they play, speak, and learn. Parents and professionals measu…
Change Your Life: Two Week Challenge
Listen Up and Take Note!! I’m going to give some therapy secrets away. Now, I usually don’t do this, because I have to make a living too;…
How to Choose a Psychologist
At some point in our lives, each of us may feel overwhelmed and need help dealing with our problems. In fact, according to the National I…
The New Treatment on the Early Intervention Scene: What is the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)?
By Dr. Katy Dorendorf
What to Expect: First Therapy Session
So you’ve decided to give therapy a try. You have no idea what to expect and are starting to second guess whether or not you want to go t…
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