Co-Parenting After Divorce
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
The goal of healthy co-parenting after divorce is to minimize the conflict between the parents. Research shows that it’s the conflict between the parents, not the divorce itself, that has the greatest negative impact on the children. What are...
The Importance of Community
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
One of the first things I ask a new client when we meet is “tell me about your support system”. Understanding how connected someone is to a community of support gives me a lot of information about their mental...
The Practice of Hope
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
George Washington University developed a series of “Hope Modules” that are designed to support people through severe illness. The purpose of these modules is to practice hope in concrete, intentional ways when you are in a difficult situation in...
What Is the CRAFT Approach?
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) is intended to help family members of someone who has Substance Use learn how to steer their loved one away from substance abuse. It is a great method for someone that’s refusing treatment...
Understanding and Reconciling with Your Estranged Child
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
How to reconcile Often a parent feels they were cut off by a child without fully understanding the cause of the conflict. While communication is key in resolving discord, it’s hard when your child has blocked all your calls...
Parenting a Child with a Disability
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
Being the parent of a child with a disability is a challenging journey. From the first moment of diagnosis, whether at birth or later in development, parents are flooded with many different feelings; love for their child, concern for...
What is Attachment Theory?
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
John Bowlby, a British psychologist, was the first to develop the concept of attachment theory. He described attachment as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings”. His primary interest was in understanding the bond between children and their primary...
Understanding Drug Use and Addiction
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
Drug use has become a concerning health issue in our society today. It is generally misunderstood to be a lack of moral principle or willpower when in reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting can be very...
Caring for an Elderly Parent – Caregiver Burnout
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
For most adult children, being able to care for an elderly parent is a privilege. Knowing that you are giving back to someone who has given so much to you can be rewarding. However, if you have limited time...
Burn Out
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
Burnout is a term that has been in the news ever since the beginning of the pandemic. While it can mean different things to different people it is generally understood as emotional exhaustion – the fatigue that comes from...
The Serenity Prayer
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
As we head into another uncertain year, I have been reflecting on The Serenity Prayer, by Reinhold Neibuhr. This prayer, popularized by The Twelve Step Program, is a beautiful guide to living a life of peace and wisdom. The...
Tips for Parenting in Stepfamilies
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
Newly married couples with children from a previous marriage are often surprised at the challenges they face as a stepfamily. For many children, adjusting to divorce is easier than becoming a stepfamily. Depending on the age of the children,...
What is Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy?
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) focuses on the connection between partners in a relationship. It was developed by Sue Johnson and based on attachment research done by John Bowlby 50 years ago. The premise of what is known as...
Families and Addiction
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
What happens to a family when addiction enters the picture? Research and experience show us that predictable symptoms evolve in a family over time in response to the addicted individual. What begins as a loving effort to help a...