Tatiana Matthews is not “Dear Abby” but rather a Dunwoody resident, mom of 2, and more importantly, a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Anyone with a question can submit directly to Tatiana via email to tatiana@theahaconnection.com. People who submit will remain anonymous and even Audra won’t see the author of the questions….only Tatiana. View all of Tatiana’s previous Q/A here: http://ow.ly/a1U550vN0nw… Read More »
We all have quirky habits but what are the signs that these habits are turning into OCD? My high school aged daughter sets an alarm on her phone when she takes a study break to remind her that break time is over. Recently I discovered that she showers only on the hour and half hour and when suggested that she can do it at any time she looked panicked.… Read More »
I have been looking for a therapist for my son and myself and I am feeling very frustrated. Our pediatrician gave us a list of providers that I spent a day calling on for him. Most of the messages I left were not returned and those that called me back were full. I experienced a similar outcome using the provider list published by my insurance company.… Read More »
My 16-year-old son’s best friend died a few months ago. He doesn’t talk much about it with me, and more worrisome, he doesn’t really discuss it with his friends. He said they’re all trying to appear like they’re fine, but they aren’t. It was his friend’s birthday yesterday and there was a celebration at the cemetery.… Read More »
by Tatiana Matthews, LPC for The Aha! Connection
In the last two years, my practices in Alpharetta and Dunwoody have been inundated by suicidal patients. It is unlike anything I’ve seen during my nearly 25 years in the mental health field. The Centers for Disease Control reports that between 2007 – 2017 the overall rate of suicide rose 26%.… Read More »
Tatiana Matthews, LPC
tatiana@theahaconnection.com
Hi Tatiana,
I have an issue with my 11 year old. I don’t know how to reprimand to fit the crime. My daughter learned how to craft and sell items to friends with YouTube. I took her last week to buy fabric and we bought very little. When asked if she needed more she replied “no.”… Read More »
Tatiana Matthews, LPC
tatiana@theahaconnection.com
Dear Tatiana,
My husband is 83, in great shape, healthy and plays tennis. He is losing memories. Things that just happened he does not remember. He asks me the same question over and over. I have taken him to a neurologist. He gave him pills to take twice a day. He won’t take them as he never took any pills in his life, not even vitamins. … Read More »
Good morning!
My husband retired last year from a long and successful career. As part of his job he spent hours in front of the computer at the office and then at home as well. I never really thought anything about it as he had a demanding position. However, now he spends 12-16 hours a day in his home office looking at the computer, and is fully retired.… Read More »
Tatiana Matthews, LPC
tatiana@theahaconnection.com
Tatiana –
Recently, I was in a close friend group of well-educated, Christian and moderately conservative friends. The subject came up that marriages and family relationships are being highly challenged, due to the current political era of divisiveness and negativity. Specifically, personal relationships, that were once more in sync, are now adamantly retreating to opposite corners with staunch differing opinions and changes of heart, and it’s causing stress and heartache.… Read More »
Tatiana Matthews, LPC
tatiana@theahaconnection.com
Dear Tatiana,
My daughter attends Dunwoody Elementary and was so scared yesterday with the level three alert and having to hide from a potential intruder. Lots of her friends treated it like a game and it didn’t affect them at all. Although I’ve reassured her that the teachers are going to keep her safe, she refused to go to school today.… Read More »
Dear Tatiana,
How old do you think kids should be before getting their first smart phone? There seems to be so many dangers and I’m just not sure my middle schooler is equipped to handle the dangers, the distractions and the peer pressure. However, it seems that everyone in her middle school has a smart phone and has free reign to Snap Chat and post Instagram photos practically whenever and however they please.… Read More »
I have an acquaintance with a college-aged child who is battling drug addiction. I don’t know them very well at all, but the family seems fairly open about the recovery and addiction. However, obviously it is a sensitive and serious issue. My question is hard to put into words, but basically I’m wondering if it is helpful or hurtful to reach out to the parents or not?… Read More »
Hope you are doing well. I have an 11-year-old daughter who eats the entire dinner knowing her Dad has not come home to dinner to eat his portion. She has never bothered to ask if anyone else is eating and just helps herself. It does not happen every time, but we are nevertheless frustrated.… Read More »
Our college age nephew recently took his own life. My much younger children loved spending time with him. He was academically and athletically gifted and a very pleasant person. I want to be honest with the kids, but this is so tragic should we take them to the funeral?
-Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Take them.… Read More »
I’m struggling with a situation with my parents. My dad is a really nice guy in most regards, but for some reason has always thought (at least as long as I can remember) it’s okay to be rude, sarcastic, etc. to my mom (and to me as a teen). It created terrible friction in our house growing up. … Read More »
Tatiana Matthews LPC
tatiana@theahaconnection.com
