By Rob Krupicka, MSW I wrote a poem recently about a trail crossing in the Blue Ridge. A couple I passed on the path was working hard to stay dry — studying the rocks, testing each step, looking for the surest way across. I crossed without pausing. Cold water through wool. A quick shock up my back. A smile I didn't plan. You'll get wet, I said. They laughed — nervously. What I was watching, I think, was the exhaustion of trying to control what cannot be controlled. The energy spent...

By Amanda Kaliner, LPC Middle schoolers often get a bad reputation. They’re described as awkward, moody, and unpredictable. As a caregiver in any role, whether it be as a parent, doctor, therapist, or teacher, this time in a child’s life can seem intimidating. While yes, there is some truth to the emotional ups and downs of this stage, that description misses something much more important: young adolescence can be one of the most honest, insightful, and meaningful ages to work with. It’s...

By Rob Krupicka, MSW | River Grove Therapy A Wall Street Journal piece published in March 2026, written by Pamela Paul and republished by the Spritzler Report under the title What Will Happen When All the Male Therapists Are Gone? asks a question worth sitting with. The article examines how psychology has shifted from an 80/20 male-to-female ratio in the 1960s to the near- complete reversal we see today, and what that means for the millions of boys and men who need mental health support. Men...