Limit Setting

Psychologically Speaking by Dr. Lynn Margolies

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About This Column

This column is about common issues and struggles in families and demonstrates how they are resolved in family based therapy.

The column, based on real life events in families, tells both sides of the story - from the teenager’s, as well as the parent’s perspective. The stories are followed by Dr. Margolies’ analysis from a psychological perspective that integrates both points of view. She offers practical guidance to the family that helps the reader understand relatable situations in a new and more productive way, and learn what to do to improve the quality of family life.

The characters from the vignettes in Dr. Margolies’ articles are fictitious and designed to be relatable to many people and common themes. They are not based on any patient’s individual situation or disclosure but were derived from a composite of people and events for the purpose of representing real-life situations and psychological dilemmas. Terms of Use.

Courage & Limits With Your Teen

This column tells a story based on a composite of real-life situations in families, depicting both the parent’s and teenager’s perspective, with teens who are too good to be true. The story helps teach parents what to look for with seemingly perfect, often high-achieving teens, and how to interpret when a child’s behavior is a disguised way to ask for help.

What to Say About Drinking: How to Tell if Your Teen Needs Limits

This column depicts the challenges parents face when trying to protect their teen. The story is told from the separate viewpoints of Dylan, 17, and his parents in a situation involving unproductive conversations about drinking. The story is followed by the therapist’s psychological analysis and guidance to the family.