Alison Bomba, Psy.D.

"Many people choose to volunteer their time, energy and resources to serve others. Some engage in random acts of kindness to brighten an individual’s day. They may hold doors for others, give compliments or pay for a stranger’s coffee. Others commit to longer term volunteer roles within the community or passionately support a cause. They may join service organizations or serve on nonprofit boards. Regardless, even seemingly small acts of service have significant impact. The lasting effects of… Show more

"Many people choose to volunteer their time, energy and resources to serve others. Some engage in random acts of kindness to brighten an individual’s day. They may hold doors for others, give compliments or pay for a stranger’s coffee. Others commit to longer term volunteer roles within the community or passionately support a cause. They may join service organizations or serve on nonprofit boards. Regardless, even seemingly small acts of service have significant impact. The lasting effects of helping someone feel seen or cared for should not be underestimated. Additionally, while community needs are often highlighted during the holidays (and the occasional worldwide pandemic!), there are plenty of opportunities to give back year round." Show less

"There is no doubt technology makes life easier. It has changed the way many people work, stay connected, access healthcare and navigate daily life. Work can be completed remotely. Relationships can be maintained from a distance. Resources needed for health and self-improvement are readily available. Smart watches even provide reminders to breathe!

Thanks to technology, people have the ability to be more efficient, socially satisfied and healthier. Why then are so many struggling to… Show more

"There is no doubt technology makes life easier. It has changed the way many people work, stay connected, access healthcare and navigate daily life. Work can be completed remotely. Relationships can be maintained from a distance. Resources needed for health and self-improvement are readily available. Smart watches even provide reminders to breathe!

Thanks to technology, people have the ability to be more efficient, socially satisfied and healthier. Why then are so many struggling to stay focused, engage with others in meaningful ways and maintain positive mental health? The answer is as simple as it is alarming. Increased tech use changes the brain." Show less

"Parents and caregivers tend to want to help children feel better when they are uncomfortable or hurting. Parents want to fix it. Many are surprised to learn that effective treatment for child anxiety does not necessarily focus on decreasing the anxious feelings. Rather, the goal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the recommended evidence- based treatment for anxiety, is to teach children how to tolerate the discomfort of anxiety.
Anxiety is a natural human reaction that occurs whenever… Show more

"Parents and caregivers tend to want to help children feel better when they are uncomfortable or hurting. Parents want to fix it. Many are surprised to learn that effective treatment for child anxiety does not necessarily focus on decreasing the anxious feelings. Rather, the goal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the recommended evidence- based treatment for anxiety, is to teach children how to tolerate the discomfort of anxiety.
Anxiety is a natural human reaction that occurs whenever one perceives danger or threat. As the experience of anxiety is inevitable, it is important to teach little ones how to tolerate stress in order to develop resilience. Children need to learn how to recover from failures and disappointments. From fears regarding social interactions to anxiety related to academic performance, the goal should be to learn how to manage these feelings...rather than avoid or escape situations that elicit them." Show less

"For many, the emotional bond between mothers and their babies begins in utero. Following delivery, nonverbal gestures are exchanged, basic needs are met with responses, and attachment bonding with a primary caregiver commences. The interactions that continue throughout a baby’s first year are the most formative, as they ultimately lead to the development of an attachment style that will last a lifetime."

"When it comes to studying, children are often unsure where to begin! Many children simply review their notes once or twice the night before a test and consider themselves prepared. In other words, they cram! Study skills are not typically taught in the traditional school environment; therefore, it is imperative that parents foster healthy study habits at home. Regardless of your child’s age and developmental level, implementation of a few basic organizational systems can decrease frustrations,… Show more

"When it comes to studying, children are often unsure where to begin! Many children simply review their notes once or twice the night before a test and consider themselves prepared. In other words, they cram! Study skills are not typically taught in the traditional school environment; therefore, it is imperative that parents foster healthy study habits at home. Regardless of your child’s age and developmental level, implementation of a few basic organizational systems can decrease frustrations, increase efficiency, improve test performance, and teach skills that will last a lifetime! " Show less

"Adults have varying levels of comfort talking about death, and children are no different in this regard. All grieving people, regardless of age, benefit from reassurance that their feelings are okay and opportunities to express those feelings (Jeffreys, 2011). When appropriate, specific activities can be utilized in session to increase clients’ comfort levels while talking about death and the deceased. One activity for children and adolescents involves engaging them in a game of catch via a… Show more

"Adults have varying levels of comfort talking about death, and children are no different in this regard. All grieving people, regardless of age, benefit from reassurance that their feelings are okay and opportunities to express those feelings (Jeffreys, 2011). When appropriate, specific activities can be utilized in session to increase clients’ comfort levels while talking about death and the deceased. One activity for children and adolescents involves engaging them in a game of catch via a “grief ball.” Show less

"We all experience loss. Rarely do we pause to consider the many ways in which our personal loss histories contribute to the shaping of our lives. Timelines have long been used to identify or connect points in time to create well-integrated histories. They assist us in understanding events and trends. The development of a loss timeline is a concrete means of assisting clients in raising insight and obtaining clarity and organization regarding the impact that their losses have had on personal… Show more

"We all experience loss. Rarely do we pause to consider the many ways in which our personal loss histories contribute to the shaping of our lives. Timelines have long been used to identify or connect points in time to create well-integrated histories. They assist us in understanding events and trends. The development of a loss timeline is a concrete means of assisting clients in raising insight and obtaining clarity and organization regarding the impact that their losses have had on personal development." Show less

"As our nation mourns the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, many will pause to reflect and remember the devastation that occurred on that fateful morning. An intense rush of overwhelming emotion will fill the hearts of those who lost loved ones. Those who lived or worked in New York City and Washington, D.C. may relive the events of their first-hand experiences with terror. Many others will remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news that a… Show more

"As our nation mourns the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, many will pause to reflect and remember the devastation that occurred on that fateful morning. An intense rush of overwhelming emotion will fill the hearts of those who lost loved ones. Those who lived or worked in New York City and Washington, D.C. may relive the events of their first-hand experiences with terror. Many others will remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news that a plane had crashed into the north tower of The World Trade Center and the subsequent reports of plane crashes in the south tower, The Pentagon, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Families around the world received the news via television reports, radio broadcasts, and Internet posts.

These events were gripping and terrifying for us all, including our children, who became acutely aware of the day’s importance by watching the reactions of the adults around them. Undoubtedly, our young children’s perceptions of self, others, and the world were forever altered by the tragedy of 9/11." Show less