D'Arienzo Psychology Blog

How to Spot a Narcissist

Posted by: Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, Psy.D., ABPP

How to spot a narcissist? Dr. D’Arienzo, Clinical Psychologist here. I am going to share five signs that indicated you might be dealing with a narcissist. Receiving criticism: Their fragile self-esteem can’t even handle constructive criticism. Feedback seems like a direct attack. Losing Control: When they lose control of situations and people around them, they feel powerless because it contradicts their grandiose image of themselves. Not being admired: They thrive on admiration and attention and when they are ignored and don’t get what they think they deserve they pout, and get frustrated and angry. Being exposed: They create a false persona to maintain their inflated self-image but when someone exposes their true self, vulnerabilities or manipulations, they go on the attack. Losing a competition: They think they are superior to others and when someone beats them, they feel inferior, so they react with rage, make excuses, and “file away” a serious resentment. Losing is personal to a narcissist.  Obviously, we all have some of these traits, but if you’re narcissist, you would have most of these and to the extreme. If that’s you or your in a relationship with one, get professional help.

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What Are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

adverse childhood experiences

Posted by: Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, Psy.D., ABPP

I (Dr. D’Arienzo) was recently involved as a defense expert (Forensic Psychologist) in a U.S. Military case regarding mitigation for a court-martial sentencing hearing. I assisted the defense by testifying about how the accussed had been impacted by a series of ACEs that created a chronic stress condition which impacted his decision making as a young adult. At the same time, I also explored how some of these experiences, with the right future environment, also led to resilient character traits that improved his rehabilitative potential. Generally, we know from the literature that having four or more ACEs is associated with deleterious mental and physical problems, criminalistic behaviors, as well as a shortend lifespan; while at the same time, for some people, these experiences lead to a toughing that is not always negative. The most commonnly researched Adverse Childhood Experiences are:

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How do you talk to your children about divorce?

How Do You Help Children With Divorce

Posted by: Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, Psy.D., ABPP

Talking to your children about divorce can be a difficult and emotionally draining conversation especially as you anticipate having this necessary conversation. However, it is important to approach it in a sensitive and age-appropriate way. Here are some general tips on how to talk to your children about divorce:

Schedule a family meeting: It’s best that both parents schedule a family meeting to talk to the children together. Having a meeting on a Friday evening or Saturday morning is best so the children can emtionally process this difficult situation and understand what the action plan is for the family prior to returning to school on Monday morning. Please note that this meeting should be one meeting of many, and this step should be repeated several times throughout the divorce process.

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Signs Someone is Cheating

Infidelity and Online Couples Therapy Program

Posted by: Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, Psy.D., ABPP

Okay, guys, he are real signs and examples that someone has been cheating straight from the psychologist’s couch. These examples have been altered slightly to protect those who exercised these behaviors, and know that I’ve (Dr. Justin D’Arienzo) heard all these examples many times from multiple patients. There are definite patterns of behavior related to infidelity that humans typically exercise.

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What is parenting coordination?

Posted by: Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, Psy.D., ABPP

  What is Parenting Coordination? Parenting Coordination is a child-focused alternative dispute resolution process that helps parents resolve conflicts related to parenting plans, custody, and visitation arrangements. It involves a trained professional, usually a licensed mental health professional or attorney, who acts as a neutral third-party to assist parents in making decisions regarding their children. […]

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Attorney Services at D’Arienzo Psychology

Forensic Psychology and Parenting Coordination

Posted by: Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, Psy.D., ABPP

Check out our advertisements for the Resident and Daily Records Newspapers for the San Jose, San Marco, and St. Nickolas areas of Jacksonville, Florida that will be running through December 2023 regarding attorney services at D’Arienzo Psychology. In addition to providing comprehensive psychological care, we also provide a host of forensic psychological services to include forensic psychological evaluations, social investigations, parenting coordination, court-martial consultation and testimony, divorce coaching, social investigations, family mediation, parenting plan evaluations, mitigation evaluations, psychosexual evaluations, expert testimony and consultation, and trial preparation assistance.

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How Does Divorce Coaching Work?

Posted by: erica

Want to see if divorce coaching is right for you? Ms. Cynthia Salameh, attorney and certified Florida Supreme Court Family Mediator practices at D’Arienzo Psychology as a qualified parenting coordinator and divorce coach. Give us a call today at (904) 379-8094 to get started!

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Models and Stages of Divorce

Psychological consent for children

Posted by: Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, Psy.D., ABPP

Divorce shares very similar patters of grief when losing a loved one to death. With the help of Kubler Ross, Paul Bohannan, and Stanley Hagemeyer, a collection of divorce phases has been created to move you through the emotional processes of divorce. Though every divorce is unique, these models lead to a divorcing persons transformation from their married to new independent self. Dr. D’Arienzo, after working with thousands of divorcing and divorced individuals, is able to get you to the point of being adaptable to the single life, independent, and self-supportive. Take one of our divorce courses or high conflict courses to improve your coparenting relationship.

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Establishing Limits on Kids Technology Use

Posted by: Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, Psy.D., ABPP

Establishing Limits on Kids Technology Use March 9, 2022 Why is establishing limits on kids technology use so important?! Well, kids little brains are more susceptible to social influence than adults. Starting around the age of 10 to 12, children’s brains undergo a major shift that causes them to seek social rewards – which means […]

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The Eye of the Storm

Posted by: Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, Psy.D., ABPP

The Eye of the Storm January 26, 2022 A few weeks ago, I was in the kitchen and my daughter Julia – who is in the eleventh grade – entered and she was on the verge of tears. She said “Dad, I’m so overwhelmed about exams. I have so much to study and I think […]

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