Sanderson Psychological

09/30/2026

Before September comes to an end, take a moment to recognize what you've made it through. 🍂

Maybe this month was productive.

Maybe it was difficult.

Maybe you accomplished something you've been working toward.

Maybe you simply made it through a challenging week.

It all counts.

Instead of asking yourself, "Did I do enough?"

Try asking:

✨ What did I learn about myself this month?
✨ What helped me feel grounded?
✨ What do I want to carry into October?
✨ What can I let go of?

You don't have to enter a new month as a completely new person.

You can simply keep moving forward—one step at a time. 🤎

09/25/2026

😴 Sleep is about more than feeling rested.

When we're not getting enough quality sleep, it can affect much more than our energy levels.

Sleep plays an important role in how we:

🧠 Process emotions
💭 Think and concentrate
😌 Manage stress
❤️ Regulate our mood
🧩 Handle everyday challenges

And sometimes, the relationship goes both ways. Stress, anxiety, and racing thoughts can make it harder to sleep, while poor sleep can make those same challenges feel even harder the next day.

If you've been stuck in that cycle, you're not failing at sleep. Your brain and body may simply be telling you that something needs attention.

If sleep has been consistently difficult, consider talking with a mental health professional about what may be contributing to it.

09/23/2026

💭 Your feelings don't have to make sense to everyone else to be real for you.

Sometimes we respond to difficult emotions by immediately trying to talk ourselves out of them:

"I shouldn't feel this way."
"Other people have it worse."
"This isn't a big deal."
"I need to get over it."

But acknowledging an emotion isn't the same as letting it control you.

You can recognize that you're feeling angry without acting on the anger.

You can acknowledge that you're anxious without assuming something bad will happen.

You can feel sad without needing to immediately find a reason to stop feeling sad.

Emotions can give us information about what we're experiencing, what matters to us, and what may need our attention.

Instead of asking, “How do I make this feeling go away?”

Sometimes it can be helpful to start with:

“What is this feeling trying to tell me?” 🤍

09/18/2026

💙 Mental Health Care, All in One Practice 💙

Mental health needs can look different at every stage of life—and sometimes, individuals and families need different types of support along the way. 🌱

At Sanderson Psychological, we provide compassionate, personalized mental health care for children, adolescents, adults, and families. Whether you’re looking for support, seeking answers, or exploring treatment options, our practice offers a range of services to meet your needs—all in one place. 🧠✨

🌿 Counseling
🔎 Psychological Testing
🩺 Psychiatric Medication Management

From childhood through adulthood, we’re here to support you and your family through every stage of life. 💙

📍 Elizabeth & Washington locations
💻 Virtual appointments available
📞 Contact our office to learn more or schedule an appointment.

09/14/2026

💭 Ever notice how one negative thought can be surprisingly hard to let go of?

You might tell yourself, "Maybe they're upset with me," or "I must have done something wrong." Even when new information comes along that suggests otherwise, that original thought can sometimes stick around.

A recent article in Psychology Today explores why this happens and how negative interpretations, emotions, and repetitive thinking can reinforce one another.

One takeaway we found especially interesting: mental health isn't about forcing ourselves to think positively all the time. Sometimes, it's about maintaining the flexibility to reconsider our thoughts when new information becomes available.

If you've ever found yourself replaying a situation, assuming the worst, or struggling to let go of a negative interpretation, this is worth a read.

📖 Read the article: Why Negative Thoughts Get Stuck — Psychology Today

Negative thoughts are common. What matters is whether we can update them. New research shows how emotions and rumination can make negative interpretations stick.

09/08/2026

You don't have to earn rest. 🤍

You don't have to finish everything on your to-do list.

You don't have to be productive every minute.

You don't have to wait until you're completely exhausted.

Rest is not a reward for doing enough. It's part of taking care of yourself.

This week, ask yourself:

👉 When was the last time I allowed myself to rest without feeling guilty?

If the answer is "I can't remember," that might be a good place to start.

09/04/2026

📚 Back-to-school season can bring excitement—but it can also bring stress.

For children, teens, and parents, the transition back to school can mean new schedules, new expectations, less free time, and a lot of adjustment.

A few ways to make the transition easier:

🕐 Start reestablishing routines gradually
💬 Make space for conversations about how everyone is feeling
😴 Prioritize sleep and downtime
🎒 Break overwhelming tasks into smaller steps
❤️ Remember that adjustment takes time

And if your child or teen is struggling, you don't have to wait until things become overwhelming to reach out for support.

Sometimes, having someone outside the family to talk to can make a meaningful difference.

08/26/2026

💙 Think about the way you talk to your friends when they're struggling.

🤔 Now ask yourself:

💭 Do you speak to yourself with that same kindness?

🌱 Practicing self-compassion doesn't mean ignoring areas where you want to grow. It means recognizing that you deserve patience, grace, and understanding while you're growing. 💚✨

08/24/2026

🧠 People often use the terms "stress" and "anxiety" interchangeably, but they aren't exactly the same.

⚠️ Stress is typically a response to an identifiable situation, such as work deadlines 💼 or family responsibilities. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

💭 Anxiety may continue even when the stressful event has passed and can affect your thoughts, emotions, and physical health. ❤️

🌱 Understanding the difference is one step toward finding the right kind of support. 💙

08/20/2026

Looking for a fun and supportive way to help your child build social confidence this fall? 🌟

Our Social Skills Play Group is designed to help children grow, connect, and thrive in a welcoming and supportive environment!

👧 Age Group:
• 6–9 years old

📅 Fall Program:
• Weekly sessions on Mondays
• 5:00–6:00 PM

💡 Children will be supported in learning how to:
• Initiate play and build friendships
• Express emotions appropriately
• Respond to others’ social cues
• Practice positive communication and cooperation

✨ Getting Started:
Each child will begin with 1–2 individual intake sessions at no cost to ensure the group is a good fit for their needs.

💲 Cost: $25 per session

📍 Hosted by: Sanderson Psychological, LLC in Elizabeth, PA
👩‍⚕️ Led by: Megan Phelan, LAPC

📞 Call (412) 754-1100 or 📧 email [email protected] to learn more or reserve a spot!

🍁 Spots are limited—reach out today to get your child started this fall!