Nancy Michel
My Child Won’t Listen
By Nancy Michel
Parents often complain that their children “do not listen” and that is frequently a concern parents describe when they visit a child psychologist. When I met the parents of six year old Charlotte, they described daily power struggles over routine tasks- getting dressed in the morning, eating breakfast and getting ready for bed at night-…
ADHD in 2014
By Nancy Michel
Most people have some understanding of what is meant by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, some may not realize that this diagnosis relies on specific criteria and needs to be made by a medical expert- a doctor or psychologist. While it is true that all children can at times be distractible, impulsive and hyperactive,…
I Just Can’t Stop It
By Nancy Michel
Eight year old Matthew, a handsome youngster in a Canucks jersey, appeared alert and polite, albeit a little anxious, when I greeted him in my waiting room. After settling Matthew into a drawing activity, I interviewed his parents regarding their son. They described Matthew, the eldest of three children, as succeeding in almost all aspects…
You Too Can Help
By Nancy Michel
A child’s accommodation to parental divorce is influenced by his experiences at the time of separation. While most parents acknowledge concern for their children in the face of parental separation, many are nevertheless limited in their abilities to clearly understand their children’s experiences or needs related to that significant change to the family. A parent’s…
Back-to-School Anxiety
By Nancy Michel
While approaching a new school year is exciting for most children, others anticipate a new grade, a new classroom, and a new teacher with mounting anxiety, even dread. Research shows that some children are biologically predisposed to resist change and to withdraw from new situations. These children have been described temperamentally as Slow to Warm…
A Resolution for My Dad
By Nancy Michel
Toby looked quizzically at his father, who paused as he considered the question his own sister, Toby’s aunt, had just posed. What was his New Year’s Resolution going to be? Toby’s own resolution had been easy- to continue in his quest to be the first student in Miss Picton’s grade three class to read 100…
Interview with a Child Psychologist
By Nancy Michel
Longtime child and family psychologist, Nancy Michel, is interviewed here by psychologist, Simon Hearn. Simon: How did you get into working with children and families? Nancy: I’ve always enjoyed working with children. I find them intriguing. As a psychologist, it’s a nice place to be, working with people who have a long life ahead…
Anxiety in Children
By Nancy Michel
Robert smiled politely but cringed silently as his best friend, Tyler, passed out birthday party invitations. They’d been best buddies since preschool and Tyler had been talking about his ninth birthday party celebration at Silvercity for weeks. None of their friends would ever suspect that the excitement they shared in anticipation of this party was…