D'Arienzo Psychology Blog

Best Practices in Psychological Testing for Armed Security Personnel

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

On May 1, 2023, I had the pleasure of presenting about Best Pratices in Psychological Testing for Armed Security Personnel at Blue Cross/Blue Shield and GuideWell’s Corporate Security Leadership Conference along with several other esteemed professionals. I was fortunate to meet Rob O’Neill, the Navy SEAL who removed Osama Bin Laden. He gave a fantastic Keynote to boot. He was a tough act to follow!
I spent my time meeting corporate security officers from around the country and presented about the importance of using psychological testing and evaluations backed by scientific evidence to properly select security personnel and executive protection officers. I provided information regarding both testing-in and testing-out the right candidates for hire. I also shared my experiences conducting these evaluations with the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Blue’s executive protection staff, Texas PPO’s, New Mexico’s Level III professionals, the Alaska State Capital, Federal and DOD armed contractors, VA Police Officers, and Florida G-License Temp holders. Additionally, I shared about my Navy Operational experiences as well conducting security clearance and psychological fitness and suitability evaluations regarding the protection of information, specialized jobs, and armed personnel.

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5 Tips for Effective Communication

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

Communication is one of the most important skills in any field. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just trying to get through your day, being able to communicate effectively can make a big difference. In this post, we’ll discuss five tips for effective communication. By following these tips, you can improve your communication skills and make a positive impact on your relationships, your career, and your life. Tip #1: Be clear and concise. When you’re communicating with someone, it’s important to be clear and concise. This means using language that is easy to understand and avoiding jargon or technical terms that the other person may not be familiar with. It also means getting to the point quickly and avoiding rambling.
Tip #2: Use active listening skills. Active listening is just as important as clear communication. When you’re listening to someone, it’s important to make eye contact, nod your head, and ask clarifying questions. This shows the other person that you’re paying attention and that you’re interested in what they have to say. Tip #3: Be respectful of others. Even if you disagree with someone, it’s important to be respectful of their opinion. This means avoiding personal attacks and name-calling. It also means listening to their point of view and trying to understand where they’re coming from. Find out more tips….

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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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Planning a Spring Wedding?

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

Are You Planning a Spring Wedding? The Allure of Spring Weddings: Celebrating Love Among Blossoms and New Beginnings. The transition from winter to spring represents a time of renewal, growth, and beauty. As nature awakens and blooms, it’s no wonder that many couples choose this season to begin their journey together as a married couple. Spring weddings have a certain charm and romance that can’t be replicated in other seasons. From the abundance of flowers to the mild weather, spring provides an enchanting backdrop for a magical wedding. In this article, we’ll explore the top reasons why you should consider getting married in the spring.

See below for information about our Florida, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and South Carolina Premarital Preparation Courses.

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What Are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

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?

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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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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Anger Management Techniques That Work

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

By reading the article, you will learn about Diaphragmatic Breathing (DB), Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) and Mindfulness. Each strategy is discussed with empirically based research confirming that each technique is effective in enhancing your ability to manage your emotions and anger. The article was edited by Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, Licensed Psychologist (Forensic and Clinical Psychologist) and Anger Management Expert.

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Positive Psychology

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

Positive psychology is a reemerging branch of psychology that focuses on the idea that people naturally desire meaningful and fulfilling lives. This branch of psychology has three main pillars: positive experiences, positive individual traits, and positive institutions. After Martin Seligman launched this new field of psychology in 1988, psychologists around the world started experimenting to discover what makes people happy. One longitudinal study of 1500 individuals discovered certain aspects that were commonly found in a meaningful life, which includes helping others, having an enjoyable career, and receiving social support.

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How Not To F*ck Up Your Life – One Week at a Time (December 27, 2022)

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

How Not To F*ck Up Your Life – One Week at a Time Psychologist of TikTok and Instagram   December 27, 2022 If you feel like you or your partner may be suffering from relationship OCD, call D’Arienzo Psychology at (904) 379-8094 to get the help you need today! Does your partner obsessively distrust or […]

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