“Parenting should be a separate developmental stage.” In this interview, Dr. Rita Eichenstein joins Dr. Jeremy Sharp to talk about parenting and the changes that happen when adults adopt this new identity, particularly when parenting “atypical” kids. They discuss the classic 5-stage grief process, in the context of having a child diagnosed with any number of neuro-developmental concerns. Rita also shares several stories and examples of how to tweak the evaluation process to meet parents where they’re at in the model.

CE Category: Clinical

Format: Asynchronous, distance learning. Non-interactive. Recorded audio with transcript.

Want to hear the interview? Listen for free using the audio player below.
Interview with Rita Eichenstein, Ph.D.

This interview was published in June 2020.

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ABOUT DR. RITA EICHENSTEIN

Rita Eichenstein, Ph.D., is a noted psychologist,  pediatric neuropsychologist, renowned in the field of child development, and author of the award-winning book: Not What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children. Dr. Rita has a private practice in Los Angeles, California, where she has served both atypical children of all ages, and their parents, for over 25 years.
Her life’s work has been to create a diagnostic and assessment environment that is warm, supportive, and accurate.  Understanding that the child is not a single unit, but comes with an entire system of parents, siblings and families, the approach to working with atypical children must include the parents.  An “atypical child” – a term coined by Dr. Eichenstein – encompasses children who do not conform to the usual expectations, whether because of a learning disorder, behavioral or psychological issues, medical problem, or another condition, as well as quirky kids, whose symptoms and behaviors defy official diagnostic categories, but who still face challenges.
You can find out more at her website: drritaeichenstein.com or check out her book  “Not what I expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children” on Amazon.

ABOUT DR. JEREMY SHARP

Dr. Jeremy Sharp is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that he founded in 2009. Dr. Sharp earned his undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting his Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, he specializes in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents.

As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, Dr. Sharp provides private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. He live in Fort Collins, Colorado with his wife (also a therapist) and two young kids.

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