VERO PLLC

02/23/2026

“Teens are confiding in AI chatbots. Here’s how parents and caregivers can stay connected.

Learn more: https://at.apa.org/youth-and-ai “

- American Psychological Association

02/14/2026

02/11/2026

When emotions spike, your brain gives you an urge… but the urge isn’t always the best advice.

A simple skill that helps: Opposite Action.

Instead of doing what the emotion pushes you to do, take one small step in the opposite direction.
• Sadness: urge to withdraw → text/call someone, move your body, do one “out of the house” thing
• Anxiety: urge to avoid → slowly approach the thing (start tiny)
• Anger: urge to attack → pause, breathe, walk away, respond later with intention
• Shame: urge to hide → share with a safe person

Try this today: Name the emotion + choose one opposite action for 5 minutes.

Not to “fix” everything - just to shift the momentum.

Send us a message, give us a call, or visit www.veropllc.com to reserve an appointment!

02/10/2026

“Rest gets such a bad reputation, like it’s the thing you do after you’ve “earned it.” But real rest is kind of a cheat code for your brain. It clears out the mental tabs, helps you think straight again, and makes your ideas feel way less forced. Half the time, the answer you’ve been chasing shows up the second you stop squeezing your mind for it.

And honestly, some of my best “productive” moments have come from doing absolutely nothing for a bit. A walk, a nap, a quiet morning, even just sitting there with no plan. Then suddenly you come back and everything takes less effort. Rest isn’t falling behind. It’s how you come back sharper, faster, and way more like yourself.”
- Dr. Caroline Leaf

02/08/2026

“This isn’t about blame—it’s about awareness.
When parents soften, children finally feel permission to relax.”
- Art of Parenteen

01/31/2026

Stress Management: Ways to cope with stressors large and small

A Stanford Medicine psychiatrist shares tips for dealing with the daily strains and larger stressors — particularly those that come with the holiday season.

01/29/2026

“Parental attention matters more than ever in the age of smartphones. A 2023 meta-analysis of over fifty thousand families found that “phubbing” ignoring children in favor of phones can increase severe behavior problems by two and a half times.

When parents are distracted by screens, children feel unseen and undervalued. This lack of attention can trigger emotional dysregulation, acting out, or withdrawal. Over time, repeated digital distractions may make children feel emotionally neglected, creating what researchers call “digital orphans,” even in the presence of caregivers.

The study emphasizes the importance of consistent, undivided attention. Engaging fully with children during meals, playtime, and conversations helps them feel safe, valued, and emotionally secure. These moments support healthy brain development, self-regulation, and social skills.

Practical steps for parents include setting phone-free periods, prioritizing face-to-face interactions, and modeling mindful technology use. Even small changes, like keeping phones away during homework or bedtime routines, can dramatically improve behavior and strengthen parent-child bonds.

Being aware of digital distractions and making intentional choices ensures children grow in environments where attention, empathy, and connection outweigh screens, reducing behavior problems and fostering emotional resilience.”

- The Parenting

01/25/2026

“A strong desire to feel in control can skew our thinking in an overly pessimistic direction and lead to procrastination and anxiety. These thoughts can help restore balance and autonomy.”

- Psychology Today