Dr. Lena Agree logo featuring her name and title as a licensed psychologist, emphasizing professional psychological services.Dr. Lena Agree, JD, PsyD – Licensed Psychologist and Associates

Evidence-Based Child Development Blog by Dr. Lena Agree

Diverse adults engaging in a supportive group discussion around a table, focusing on emotional intelligence and social skills development in a cozy, well-lit living room setting.

Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children: Evidence-Informed Strategies for Regulation, Empathy, and Social Skills

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Emotional intelligence in childhood means a child can notice, understand, and manage emotions in themselves and others. These abilities support learning, friendships, and mental health across development. When caregivers intentionally teach emotional regulation, empathy, and social skills, children gain tools to handle stress, solve problems, and form secure relationships — lowering later risk for anxiety and behavioral concerns. This guide describes what EI looks like at different ages, offers evidence-informed, practical strategies you can use at home, and explains when targeted parenting support or professional care can speed progress. You’ll find clear definitions, step-by-step activities, observable cues to watch, and concise comparisons of therapeutic approaches so busy families can take straightforward action and know when to seek specialized help. What…

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Woman psychologist in casual attire sitting on a couch, engaged in conversation with a patient who has pink hair, in a cozy therapy office setting with soft lighting and decorative elements.

Practical, Evidence-Based Support for Adults and Children: ADHD Treatment, Therapy, and Parenting Help

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Families and professionals often face the same problem: translating what research shows into everyday routines that actually reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and repair relationships for people with ADHD, anxiety, or behavior challenges. This guide lays out what works now — clear, practical approaches across the lifespan: child and adolescent therapy, adult-focused psychological strategies and concierge coaching, family and couples work, and concrete parenting supports that change behavior. You’ll learn how core therapies (for example, cognitive behavioral and play therapy) work in real life, why executive function coaching fills a skills gap, and when combined plans (therapy + coaching + parent training) lead to measurable improvements. The article maps age-specific symptoms, actionable tools for home, school, or work, and realistic expectations…

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Raising Secure, Resilient Children: Child Psychology Services and Practical Parenting Strategies

Raising Secure, Resilient Children: Child Psychology Services and Practical Parenting Strategies

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Helping children grow into emotionally secure, developmentally on-track young people takes three things: clear knowledge of child development, hands-on parenting skills you can use every day, and timely access to supportive services when you need them. This article breaks down what “happy and healthy” looks like across emotional, developmental, and relationship areas; explains key mechanisms like emotion regulation and attachment; and gives practical, age‑appropriate strategies parents can start using now. You’ll find signs to watch for at different stages, step‑by‑step approaches to discipline and communication, and guidance on when individual or family therapy can help. We also map common therapy approaches — from play to talk-based work — to developmental stages, and describe how specialized support for high‑achieving families and…

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Mindful Parenting Strategies: Practical Ways to Be a Present, Engaged Parent for Positive Family Growth

Mindful Parenting Strategies: Practical Ways to Be a Present, Engaged Parent for Positive Family Growth

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Being a present, engaged parent means intentionally offering your attention and emotional availability so attunement and timely responsiveness guide everyday interactions. That kind of presence strengthens secure attachment and helps children learn to regulate their emotions. This article lays out evidence-informed practices—grounded in attachment theory and mentalization—that busy parents can use in short, repeatable moments to increase warmth, predictable structure, and clearer communication. Many high-achieving parents juggle limited time, perfectionism, and burnout; this guide pairs micro-practices with simple planning so presence becomes reliable instead of accidental. You’ll learn what presence looks like in daily life, the psychological mechanisms that make it effective, ready-to-use scripts and rituals to try tonight, and clear signs that coaching or therapy could speed progress. The…

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