On December 31, 2019, I resolved that 2020 would be the year that I became a published author, and today, it is a reality. I Don’t Want To Be Bad is now available in paperback through Kindle Direct Publishing. Granted, this was not the project I had in mind when I made my resolution, but I don’t think anyone can say that this year has gone according to plan.
Working as a psychologist is both frustrating and rewarding. Nothing makes me happier than to hear that a tool, technique, or suggestion I made has helped someone. At the same time, though, my reach is limited. I practice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which is not considered an underserved area, and yet providers in the area are only able to serve 50% of the local mental health needs. It saddens me to think, for everyone who comes into my office, there is at least one other person who needs services but can’t get them.
While I maintain that empathy is a good quality, it’s the reason why so many people in my field burn out. I Don’t Want To Be Bad is my way of reaching more families and more children without expanding my hours.
I Don’t Want To Be Bad is for therapists who want to add techniques for children and families to their toolbox. It’s for counselors who want to teach kids how to feel and express their emotions in ways that don’t get them into trouble.
I Don’t Want To Be Bad is also a tool for parents. Although no book should be used as a substitute for therapy, parents who want to better connect with their children can use this book to build that relationship. Some kids struggle with self-regulation but do not necessarily meet the diagnostic criteria for a mental illness. Those kids can still use support and understanding from their parents, and they can find that in these pages.
If you find my book helpful, please hop on Amazon and give it a review! Also feel free to subscribe and follow my blog for more tips to help kids communicate and make good choices. After all, kids don’t want to be bad!
