Challenge for Change!

I don’t watch a lot of T.V., however I do watch the local and national news.  It’s important to know and be aware of what’s happening locally and around the country.  One universal message you hear at both levels are stories of boys in trouble. For me as a PhD, Licensed Professional Counselor working with…

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The Masculinity-Bashing Bandwagon

The Bashing The American Psychological Assoc. (APA) released new “guidelines” on how psychologists should begin to deal with men and boys. They claim that their research proves traditional masculinity is causing men and boys to do a plethora of terrible things. On the heels of that very disturbing release was a new commercial by Gillette,…

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Giving Your Son Permission to Cry

Has anyone ever said to you “maybe you just need a good cry?”  In the therapy field we call those “cleansing tears!”  Bottom line is it’s okay to cry; and frankly, it can be very good for you especially when you’re grieving.  And guess what, kids feel grief and need to grieve too! The Grief…

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Help Your Son Replace Anger With Joy!

If I had a dollar for every time a parent said to me “my son is so angry” I’d be rich! Anger-It’s a Part of Life I was raised by a very angry father (he raged).  The issue for me in my life wasn’t that he was angry, it was how he handled the anger. …

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Seven and 8 of 9 Reasons ALL Boys Need a Rite-of-Passage

In last week’s blog I covered “the gift” and “empathy.”  One of my favorite moments when I’m working with young men is the moment they “lay claim” to their “gift!”  The sense of empowerment allows them to embrace life and be more confident.  It sets a perfect stage to move on to 7 & 8 (relationships and a value system)…

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Five and 6 of 9 Reasons ALL Boys Need a Rite-of-Passage

This week a couple of my favorites!  The Gift and Empathy; both are so important to raising a happy, healthy and responsible young man.  Golden Gift 5.) We all have a gift, it’s what makes us unique and different; your son needs to know what gifts he was born with.  He needs to know his Golden Gift.…

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Three and 4 of 9 Reasons ALL Boys Need a Rite-of-Passage

Last week I expanded on what it means when a boy begins to transition to a man and the importance of goal setting.  This week I give more detail on both anger and conflict.  During adolescence a boy begins to self regulate anger and he learns how to resolve conflict.  Teaching, guidance and support is critical. Anger-One of the “Big 4”…

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9 Reasons ALL Boys Need A Modern-Day Rite-of-Passage

Rite-of-passage for males is a transition, and in its simplest terms means “changing from a boy to a man.”  Sounds easy right?  It’s not! It’s unfortunate that today in our society we have forgotten and moved away from recognizing and honoring this time in a young man’s life.  The result is Our Boys are in Trouble! If you read…

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Parenting Tip: 5 Signs of Peer Pressure

I find one of the issues I deal with on a regular basis in my practice is this one:  Peer Pressure! Peer Pressure-Not to Be Underestimated Peer pressure is something all kids are forced to deal with at some point.  Commonly it happens at school and/or the neighborhood kids that get together to play.  It’s how…

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Dr. Clay on The Tom Roten Morning Show

Can you spare a few minutes to listen to my recent interview with Tom Roten of The Tom Roten Morning Show?  I think you’ll find it helpful; we cover many important topics.  What We Talk About

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