As we move deeper into the holiday season—a time filled with joy, pressure, connection, and expectations—we’re here to help you navigate it all with clarity and compassion. Whether you’re preparing for parenthood, juggling family demands, or simply trying to protect your peace amid the bustle, this issue is packed with practical tools and thoughtful insights to support your emotional well-being.
In this edition, we’re exploring how parenting and expectations shape our mental health, featuring a Newsweek spotlight on Dr. Kissen and guidance for managing pregnancy-related stress during a high-pressure time of year. You’ll also find simple, effective strategies for calming both babies and adults, plus our most-loved tips for reducing polarized thinking and improving sleep—skills that will serve you long after the holidays fade.
Warmly,
Dr. Debra Kissen
In this Issue:
Parenting, Expectations, & Holiday Pressure - If you’re a parent or expecting, you might recognize some of this journey—balancing your own needs with the demands of parenthood, redefining your identity, and learning what matters most.
Check out this enlightening Newsweek article, "How Motherhood Transformed Kylie Jenner's Relationship—and How It Might Transform Yours, Too,"featuring Dr. Kissen.
Also learn The ABC Approach to help calm your baby (and yourself), when expecting feels overwhelming during the holidays
Here are 10 Tips to Manage Pregnancy-Related Anxiety
Hot Topics: Mental Health Tips That You'll Use Long After the Holidays
Warm up your well-being with Quick & Practical Guidance On Reducing Polarized Thinking
And to get the sleep you deserve, here are the Top 10 CBT-Based Tips For Managing Insomnia
Plus updates on our Arlington Heights Location and Expanded United Healthcare Coverage
Parenting, Expectations, & Holiday Pressure
How Motherhood Transformed Kylie Jenner's Relationship—and How It Might Transform Yours, Too.
Dr. Kissen is featured in this Newsweek Article discussing how parenting changes perspective on what is important. Celebrities like Kylie Jenner have publicly noted how their priorities shifted after having kids.
Pregnancy & Anxiety: When Expecting Feels Overwhelming
Holidays can add pressure to pregnancy—more events, more opinions, more emotions. Learn strategies to stay grounded, manage anxiety, and protect your mental and physical well-being during this season.
Hot Topics - Mental Health Tips That You'll Use Long After the Holidays
The Dangers Of Us vs. Them Thinking
Polarization rises around elections, family gatherings, and big conversations. Learn how black-and-white thinking fuels anxiety—and how to engage with nuance instead.
Insomnia can feel like a relentless cycle of worry and sleepless nights, but CBT-based techniques can help break the pattern, bringing restful sleep within reach.
.jpg?upscale=true&width=560&upscale=true&name=MOTHERHOOD%20(2).jpg)
