bring children out of their anxious thoughts and into their bodies by using relaxation, breathing, writing, drawing, and playful roughhousing.

tackle their own anxieties so they can stay calm when a child is distressed.

find lighthearted ways to release tension in the moment, labeling stressful emotions on a child-friendly scale.

promote tolerance of uncertainty and discomfort by finding the balance between outright avoidance and 'white-knuckling' through a fear.

teach children the basics of the body's 'security system': alert, alarm, assessment, and all clear.

start from a place of warmth, compassion, and understanding.

Offering simple, effective strategies that build connection through fun, play, and empathy, Dr. Cohen, PhD, the author of Playful Parenting, provides a special set of tools to handle childhood anxiety. And since anxiety has a mind of its own, logic and reassurance often fail, leaving parents increasingly frustrated about how to help. He and his wife Liz have two grown children.Whether it's the monster in the closet or the fear that arises from new social situations, school, or sports, anxiety can be especially challenging and maddening for children. His work - with children, parents, couples, abuse survivors,Īnd families - has pointed him towards writing about humanĭr. Included the first groups in the country for husbands andīoyfriends of sexual abuse survivors, as well as one of theįirst therapy groups for male survivors of sexual abuse. After an internshipĪt Tulane University, he began a research and private practiceĬareer in Madison, Wisconsin. In clinical psychology from Duke University. Cohen attended Haverford College and received his doctorate Presented his work at professional conferences, workshops,ĭr. Professional journals and popular magazines, and he has Cohen is the author of numerous published articles in Magazine was the winner of the 2003 Golden Lamp award fromĭr. His books have been translated into fourteen languages. He wrote two books about children's friendships and peer relationships with Michael Thompson andĬatherine O'Neill Grace: Best Friends, Worst Enemies, and Mom, They're Teasing Me.

Cohen is also the co-author, with Anthony DeBenedet, of The Art of Roughhousing. In addition to his private therapy practice, he is alsoĪ speaker and consultant to public and independent schools, andĪ teacher of parenting classes and classes for daycare teachers.ĭr.

Licensed psychologist specializing in children's play and play Cohen, PhDĬonnections, Solve Behavior Problems, and Encourage Children'sĬohen, Ph.D., the author of PLAYFUL PARENTING and THE OPPOSITE OF WORRY, is a

Dr lawrence cohen playful parenting