Lauren Pasqua, Psy.D.

09/30/2025

Skill to Steal: The Middle Path 🧠✨

This concept is a game-changer for helping kids (and adults!) find balance. Instead of thinking in "all or nothing" terms, it teaches us to see the gray areas and embrace multiple truths.

It's how we learn that:
"I can disagree with you and still be your friend."
"You can make a mistake and still be a good person."
"I can want independence and still need help sometimes."

💻 Book your first appointment today: https://connectionsfamilycenter.com/contact/

09/24/2025

Check it out!

🚨 New Blog Alert!

We have a new blog for you! Beyond the Birth Plan: What Families Really Need to Prepare For. In this blog Dr. Pasqua details out our need for not just birth plans, but postpartum plans. She gives helpful tips for what to expect when labor is over and offers opportunities for support.

Check it out now to learn more about postpartum plans and life after labor: https://cpfh.org/beyond-the-birth-plan-what-families-really-need-to-prepare-for

💻 Book your first appointment today: https://connectionsfamilycenter.com/contact/

09/23/2025

In my work with mothers, I see a harmful pattern: systems blaming moms for outcomes that are not their fault.

The latest claim from the administration says Tylenol in pregnancy “causes” autism.

Here’s what high-quality evidence actually shows (sources below):

-Autism is highly heritable (~80%). Genetics account for most of the risk.

-No credible evidence of causation between acetaminophen (Tylenol) in pregnancy and autism. Leading ob-gyn authorities reaffirm acetaminophen’s role for medically indicated pain/fever.

-Maternal wellbeing matters. Untreated fever and significant pain raise maternal stress hormones and are linked to higher neurodevelopmental risk—so treating fever/pain is protective for mom and baby.

👉 Moms: You are not to blame. Your wellbeing is health-promoting for your child.

Every mom I know is already carrying the weight of the world. Taking care of yourself is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline.

And blaming moms for outcomes they can’t control?

That’s not science. That’s systemic gaslighting.

ACOG (Sep 22, 2025): “ACOG Affirms Safety and Benefits of Acetaminophen during Pregnancy”

https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2025/09/acog-affirms-safety-benefits-acetaminophen-pregnancy

JAMA / 5-country cohort (2019): Autism heritability ≈80%

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6646998/

Meta-analysis (2021): Maternal fever linked to ↑ neurodevelopmental disorder risk

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8449704/

Fever during pregnancy is a relatively common and most often trivial event. However, under specific conditions, it could affect significantly fetal brain development. Few studies, with inconsistent results, investigated whether fever, regardless the ...

09/22/2025

APA Statement on White House Announcement on Autism https://ow.ly/P6k850X0zCi

09/22/2025

Having tough conversations with your kids is a cornerstone of building strong mental health. One of the most powerful skills you can master is 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.

Validation without agreement means that you can hear and acknowledge another's feelings without necessarily having to agree with their perspective. This can teach your kids that their emotions are valid and heard, even when you see things differently.

A simple progression like this can transform conflicts into opportunities for connection and mutual understanding.

💻 Book your first appointment today:
https://connectionsfamilycenter.com/contact/

09/18/2025

Do you, or someone you know, experience extreme test anxiety? Follow this easy skill to ground yourself before your next exam.

𝟱 – Name 5 things you can see
𝟰 – Name 4 things you can touch
𝟯 – Name 3 things you can hear
𝟮 – Name 2 things you can smell
𝟭 – Name 1 thing you can taste

This technique allows you to be present in the moment and pulls you away from your anxious thoughts. It is great for all ages in any stressful situation.

𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Practice this technique in your dorm room or study space so it becomes automatic during high-stress moments.

Book your first appointment today
https://lauren-pasquapsyd.clientsecure.me/

09/18/2025

So excited to be one of 250 selected to participate in the Allstate Boost Camp for CPFH! I have a chance to win $20,000 to help the business address our mission of serving mothers and families in the vulnerable pregnancy and postpartum period.

09/16/2025

Come see me at Birth Fair!

We are celebrating the 21st annual Birth Fair!! Dr. Pasqua will be presenting "Beyond the Birth Plan: The Real Plan Every New Parent Needs" at 11 AM. We hope to see you there!

The event will feature: Local vendors, Empowering educational sessions, Family Area, Fashion show, Raffle prizes and swag bags, & so much more!!!

🗓 Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025
🕥 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 United Way of Greater Houston | 50 Waugh Drive 77007

Learn more here: https://houbirth.org/

09/09/2025

I am super proud and excited to share that I passed my exam yesterday and obtained my Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) from Postpartum Support International. Feels like I'm legit now as director of The Center for Postpartum Family Health

09/09/2025

🍂 Fall Group & Class Schedule Now Open! 🍂

Fall is here and there is no better time to connect, grow, and thrive! We're here to support your family's journey with evidence-based programs designed for every stage:

✨ 𝗗𝗕𝗧 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 - Empowering tweens & teens (ages 11-18) with life skills + parent support
👪 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 - Tools for navigating defiant behaviors
🤗 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 - Supporting parents through childhood anxiety
💕 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲 - A safe space for new moms in their first year postpartum

Our caring therapists create welcoming environments where families can learn, heal, and build stronger connections together.

📞 Ready to get started? Call 281-210-6677 to enroll
🌐 Learn more: https://connectionsfamilycenter.com/group-counseling/

09/05/2025

Hope your teen comes out to this great event!

Breaking the Silence
Wednesday, September 10th @ 6:30 PM
We invite you to join us and Behavioral Health & Su***de Prevention Task Force: Montgomery County at this community event promoting teen mental health.

OPEN to the public and you wont want to miss this event:
Wed SEPT 10th, 5:30pm at Woodlands Church is the place to be!

Guest speaker Nathan Harmon.

08/27/2025

🌟 New mamas, this is for YOU! 🌟
The fourth trimester is REAL - those first 12 weeks postpartum when you're healing, learning, and adjusting to life with your little one. It's beautiful but it's also tough.

The Center for Postpartum Family Health has created an amazing FREE guide that breaks down what to expect week by week, from "survival mode" in weeks 1-2 to "finding your rhythm" by weeks 3-6, and finally "emerging from the fog" in weeks 7-12.

This guide covers:
✨ Physical recovery essentials
✨ What's normal for you AND baby each week
✨ Helpful mantras for each phase
✨ Practical care tips

Remember: You're doing better than you think, mama. This phase is temporary, and support is available.

Get your free copy here: https://link.therasaas.com/widget/form/IIYKEOBx6gix7enmGkNE