To Reveal or Not to Reveal
By Roberta Rachel Omin, Published in the Psychotherapy Networker, January/ February 2020
Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had an active therapy practice and initially chose to keep this news from my clients. It took me months of tests to get an accurate diagnosis before it was time for my surgeries and chemotherapy, and I frankly thought they wouldn’t notice.
But I was also protecting myself. These were vulnerable days, and I didn’t want to have to worry about how to talk about my experience of this frightening new reality with them. I struggled with whether it was fair to burden my clients with knowledge that could interfere with their ability to speak freely about their own less-than-life-threatening issues, or make them feel even more distraught about the uncertainty of life.
Recovering Together
By Roberta Rachel Omin, Published in the Psychotherapy Networker, March-April 2012 issue
An Ailing Mother Comes to the Aid of Her Son
“I have a ‘mother’ concern, Dr. Bromberg.”
My oncologist and I were sitting in her office at the Breast Center of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital, where we’d just covered all the details of my upcoming chemotherapy treatment. It was late, 9:30 p.m., and I had her undivided attention. “My son is having open-heart surgery in May for a congenital heart defect,” I said. “I have to work out my chemo schedule so I can be with him in St. Louis.”
To Die in Treatment
By Roberta Rachel Omin, Published in The Clinical Social Work Journal, Winter 1989 issue
To Die in Treatment: An opportunity for growth, consolidation, and healing.
This paper addresses death’s place in human development and specific psychotherapeutic treatment, using a case illustration with a dying individual. Based on an ongoing diagnostic assessment and utilizing the principles of ego psychology and object relations along with thanatology and crisis models, formulations of essentials treatment parameters emerged.
Special Parenting Matters newsletters
If You Suspect Your Child Has a Delay
Discovering Your Child Has Special Needs
These articles consider developmentally appropriate and sensitive approaches to talking with a child about their special needs. They also address the need for the growth of social skills.
Talking with your Children about their Special Needs
Putting One Foot in Front of the Other
These articles consider developmentally appropriate and sensitive approaches to talking with a child about their special needs. They also address the need for the growth of social skills.
Fair and Not Equal Parenting
An Inside View
Parents often struggle with their desire to treat their children equally. These articles confront this myth, providing a realistic perspective – each child has different needs.
The Special Marriage
Marital Turning Points
Marriages and families are impacted when a child has special needs. How the couple navigates these waters requires necessary risking not only on behalf of their child but also for the health and well-being of their relationship.
Are You Recharging Yourself
Asking for Help and Support
Children with special needs are high maintenance; parents can easily neglect caring for themselves. These articles emphasize the importance of self-care and asking for help.
Building Parent-Professional Partnerships
Collaborative relationships between parents and professionals foster a child’s success. Parents and professionals say what they need from the other and how they establish good working rapport.
Family Matters e-letters (for parents of all children)
This Recession and the “Hidden Good” – Spring 2009
The Place of Money in Our Lives; Addressing the Economic Crisis with Our Children – Winter 2009
Disappointment is Never Easy; Helping Kids Cope – Fall 2008
Family Meal Time is About All Kinds of Nourishment – Winter 2008
Teaching Children Chores and Responsibilities – February 2007