Summit Center Blog
Consider the Value of Short-Term Therapy for Children & Teens
By Dr. Gabriela Bronson-Castain Happy New Year! As the hustle and bustle of the season ends, children and adults alike may be experiencing different emotions. Many families will feel even more stressed as schools reopen and the new semester begins in January. If you...
Imagination Is Your Superpower
By Susan Daniels, Ph.D. Yes, imagination is your superpower! Imagination allows us to draw upon our capacities for creativity and visual thinking – for going beyond what is to what might be. Creativity, visual thinking and imagination allow us to picture...
Changing Schools, Changing Lives
By Dr. Lisa White, Licensed Psychologist, Summit Center Jonah was miserable at his highly-regarded public school. He had a hard time finding friends, and for years he had been bullied, both physically and emotionally, by other boys in his grade. He was...
Being Twice Exceptional, by Melanie Hayes, Ed.D., AMFT
Marginalization causes daily stress for persons who have intersectional traits on both ends of the spectrum of ability-dis/ability, also known as twice exceptional. For these autistic adults, support systems are minimal, research is thin, and understanding is spotty...
WHEN I AM CALM: Helping Our Kids Manage “Big” Feelings
By Amy Parlin Feldman, M.Ed., LEP Big feelings are an important part of life, and learning how to manage anger, frustration and fear is hard work. Our bodies are pretty good at sending us clues to let us know when those kinds of tough feelings are starting to build,...
Perfectionism in Children: How Parents Can Help Bright, Complex Kids
BY JEAN SUNDE PETERSON (co-author of Bright Complex Kids with Dr. Dan Peters) I used to say, smiling, when discussing perfectionism that I wanted my surgeon, dentist, mechanic, electrician, and plumber to be perfectionists—but not my friends, spouse, or colleagues....
Finding the Right School Fit for Your 2e Child
By Dr. Lisa White, Summit Center Are you wondering whether public school, private school, or homeschooling might be the best option for your child who is gifted, 2e, or has learning challenges? There are a lot of things to consider when making that choice. Many...
Managing Worry When There Is So Much to Worry About
Pandemic Tools for All Ages by Dr. Dan Peters Every day, it seems as if we are being presented with something new — increased COVID cases, businesses closing, schools maybe opening — as well as having to deal with our new normal: wearing masks, keeping distance, not...
Parenting Resilience in Unsettling Times: It Starts with Us
By Dr. Dan Peters Earlier this week, I was on two full airline flights and now conferences are cancelled, the NBA is suspended, March Madness is not happening, colleges have cancelled winter and spring terms, many K-12 schools are closed, Italy is on lock down, and...
Taking Time Out from Tech
by Melanie Soloway, J.D., C.P.E. Earlier this year, I wrote an article about the importance of setting limits. I also discussed how sticking to them is the stickiest part. As a mother of three teens, I can assure you that I have experienced plenty of challenges...
Nurturing Everyday Creativity in Children, by Dr. Susan Daniels
Note: Doodle, Draw & Paint with education and creativity expert Dr. Daniels is a free and easy online creativity class that you can do at home with your kids! Learn how to make simple drawings, fun doodles, and other activities that will let you express your...
Setting Limits… It’s Sticking to Them That Gets Sticky! by Melanie Soloway Prager, J.D., C.P.E.
When they are little, it is relatively easy to set the limits we need to protect our children. It was not necessary for me to have a degree in rocket science to know that putting a bumper on the cribs of my twins would protect them from hitting their heads. As...
Reviving Chess Battles: Using Games to Strengthen Executive Functioning, by Deanna Kim, M.Ed., Educational Therapist
My friends think that I am weird. There is no TV in our house. Technically we have no TV services. My husband and I are in agreement that we can survive with one less thing at home in this technology abundant environment. One lazy summer afternoon, my kids and I were...
The Evolution of 2e, by Dr. Dan Peters
This piece first appeared in the October 2018 issue of the 2e Newsletter. Dr. Dan Peters, and other past and current 2e Newsletter Advisory Board members, reflected on 15 years of 2e as the 2e Newsletter founders J. Mark Bade and Linda Neumann transition the...
Coaches Aren’t Just for Athletes: How can gifted collegians benefit from coaching?
Athletes, from elementary school age through Olympians, understand the importance of working with a dedicated coach. Universities spend millions of dollars on athletic coaches of all kinds in hopes of producing outstanding athletes and winning teams. The truth is,...
The Morning Bucket: Creating a Habit for Appreciation, by Deanna Kim, M.Ed./ET/P
If someone were to sneak into my house and eavesdrop on words weekday mornings, they would likely hear... “You still have boogers in one of your eyes.” “My brother is taking too long in the bathroom.” “Put socks on your toesies. It’s cold.” “Can you help me zip up my...
Flu Education 101: Managing Our Children’s Fears, by Dr. Dan Peters
When I was young, I distinctly remember being afraid of killer bees. What will happen to my family and me? What if killer bees attack me? Will I die? These are not comforting thoughts when you are a child. They are scary. Really scary. Well of course we weren’t...
Live Purposely in the New Year, by Dr. Dan Peters
I was sitting with a client a few weeks ago — someone I have known for some time. He is a hard-working professional, husband, and father. He was reflecting on the holidays and the stress in his home due to the loss of a close and loved family member, and the lingering...
Homework 101, by Dr. Dan Peters
“Why do I need to do more work after I have been at school all day?“ “I never get any free time! I have school all day then homework when I get home!” “Why do we have to do the same thing over and over when I already know it?” Do these questions and pleas sound...
What Skiers and Snowboarders Can Teach Us, by Dr. Dan Peters
We can all get along – just like the snowboarders and skiers.
Digital Breaks: 5 Things to Help Our Kids Disconnect – by Dr. Dan Peters
Last weekend we had an extended family dinner with many relatives. I was sitting on a cushion on the fireplace and looking at a large couch and an oversized chair stuffed with nine cousins ranging from ages 12 to 22. They were smiling, laughing, sitting on each other...
Parenting in Uncertain Times, by Dr. Dan Peters
Uncertainty. Worry. Fear. These are still the top themes in most of my counseling sessions as a psychologist — with adults, with teens, and even with children. Mainly, the discussions were about the presidential election, then it was about the winner of the election,...