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Betty Frain has been a Marriage and Family Therapist for 30 years, with special expertise in family dynamics and recovery from trauma. In addition to writing for 50+Fabulous, Betty is in private practice in Santa Rosa, California. She has joined with Gail Galette, MFT and Tawny Martin, MFT to form The Adult, Child Therapy Center of the North Bay. She also conducts family weekends to support parents and their grown children as they move through impasses and set new goals for family life. Dr. Frain was called to New York City to be part of the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team to counsel trauma victims in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack. She currently was called to work as a civilian consultant with the military to counsel children and family members traumatized by loved-ones deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. Based on their book, Becoming a Wise Parent for Your Grown Child: How to Give Love and Support Without Meddling, Betty and her co-author Eileen Clegg, were interviewed for the DVD of the hit movie Failure to Launch, starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey. Their work has also appeared in numerous print media. Betty and Eileen are currently working on a new book about human resilience. She consulted in the development of a game for fathers and daughters called: Communication by Mindamics (available at http://www.thecommunicationgame.com). A frequent speaker, she has given presentations and workshops nationwide. She is a member of both the California and the American Associations of Marriage and Family Therapists. Betty lives in California's Sonoma County and is a single parent of grown children who are thriving in their individual lives. |
Betty's Columns
Get Fabulous Energy for a Fabulous Life!
August 15th, 2011
Get Fabulous Energy for a Fabulous Life!
July 20th, 2011
When kids are overprotective, both of their own families AND you!
What to do When Your Life Melts Down
June 5th, 2011
How you can get beyond the catastrophes of life!
April 3rd, 2011
Has your self esteem taken a hit? 6 ways to take back your power!
Healing Your Family: Reaching Out to Adult Children of Divorce
March 8th, 2011
Whether your own or your step children, divorce can make healthy family relationships challenging. Here are some ways to help in the healing process.
You're Movin' On and He's Moving Home?
February 1st, 2011
Dr. Betty answers the question: When you finally get to enjoy living in your quiet house alone what do you do when your grown children want to move back home?
Empowering Grown Children to Leave The Nest
January 9th, 2011
It has become common today for 24-30+ year olds to have difficulty launching themselves into their own independent lives. Often, the most loving of parents have unwittingly nurtured this situation by offering too much help. How can we empower our kids to move on?
Share Your Appreciation with Your Kids
December 12th, 2010
Share Your Appreciation with Your Kids: Here's How!
November 6th, 2010
Dr. Betty answers the question: When my children were little, I wasn't emotionally available to them because of a demanding job and being overwhelmed as a single mom. Now my, 28 year-old, son is too busy to see me. I feel a big gap between us. How can I connect with him and build our family ties?
October 7th, 2010
Our girls are under siege from the media to grow up way too fast. What can you do?
Great Ideas to Reconnect with your Family
September 6th, 2010
The best ideas yet for a multi-generational, inexpensive, unplugged, best time of your lives, fun time with family and friends!
When our Children are Injured in War
June 30th, 2010
Is your child, or a friend's, a victim of a brain injury from military service?
June 6th, 2010
Want to know what your kids and grandkids are angry about? You won't want to miss this!
I Want to Move to a Tropical Island: The Kids Object
May 1st, 2010
Dream of running away to a tropical island? Do you think your kids would pitch a fit? Would you feel totally self-centered? Dr. Betty shares some insights you will not want to miss!
You Deserve a Trophy! Your Kids are Fully Capable
April 7th, 2010
What is the great part of finally, really letting your great kids live their own lives.
March 6th, 2010
How to help your kids and grandkids funnel their frustration with our global mess and empower them to make positive changes here at home and abroad.
How Can I Make-up with my Daughter's Husband
February 4th, 2010
Do you need to make friends with a family member's or friend's spouse who has treated a loved one poorly but has made significant changes in their own lives to enable them to now treat your loved one well? Our wise Dr. Betty tackles this complex issue.
Planning to Improve Family Dynamics in 2010
January 6th, 2010
Is a loved one estranged? Dr. Betty shares many different ways to heal and reconnect.
November 30th, 2009
Dr. Betty shares great ideas for more personal, meaningful, fun and less expensive holiday gifts.
A Woman's Story: She loses her business and discovers an amazing new life!
November 6th, 2009
You can do work you love…against all odds!
Tools You Need to Face Down Fear
October 5th, 2009
If anything about your world scares you right now, do not miss Betty's column this month! Sage advice from one of our nation's best.
Are the kids moving back home?
September 6th, 2009
Are the kids moving back home…with their kids? How to stay sane and maintain your own space!
My child is throwing away his future!!
July 31st, 2009
You've just spent a fortune on your child's education. Yet, they've made what you consider a really poor choice about their new career. What about their future?
Time to Dust Off Your Own Dreams
July 6th, 2009
When the kids take off for parts unknown, it may be time to dust off your own dreams
Is procrastination negatively affecting your children?
June 5th, 2009
Is procrastination negatively affecting your children?
What to do BEFORE the Kids Move Back In
May 6th, 2009
Are you grappling with the decision of whether to invite your adult children and their family to live with you until they get back on their fee? If so, better read with Dr. Betty has to say!
April 1st, 2009
Are you at the end of your rope because of family commitments? Betty share what you need to do to renew and reinvigorate.
March 4th, 2009
Sometimes "living your vision" meets with raised eyebrows and negativity from those we love. Dr. Betty shares her wisdom.
February 7th, 2009
Losing a child is devastating to the entire family and everyone grieves in their own unique way. Dr. Betty shares insights into this difficult time.
How to help your kids through a money crunch!
January 5th, 2009
How to help your kids through a money crunch! Parenting Adult Children through Tough Economic Times
Help! My Self-Esteem Has Taken a Dive
November 4th, 2008
When your self-esteem takes a dive at mid-life, there IS something you can do about it!
Parenting: Perfectionist Mom Fears for Son
October 3rd, 2008
OK, so you fear you taught your kids to be perfectionists. There IS something you can do now to help, even if they are all grown up!
My Children Worry about Me as I Redesign My Life
August 4th, 2008
What if your kids think you are going nuts as you re-design your life?
How to Help with Post-graduation Fears
July 6th, 2008
We live in such uncertain times with the shaky economy, high gas prices, exorbitant credit card fees, and high unemployment. What advice can we give our kids as they graduate to start their own lives?
June 6th, 2008
What do you do when your child questions their career choice.
Lifelong Depression Robs Mother of Ability to Nurture
May 5th, 2008
Has your own depression adversely affected your children's lives? Dr. Betty gives insight into this troubling problem.
Boomer Parent Tackles Whether Travel vs. College is Best for their Kids
April 3rd, 2008
What to do when your high school graduate wants to defer college and travel.
March 3rd, 2008
My 30 year-old daughter and her two young children moved in with me after a rather traumatic divorce. They have been living here for almost a year and a half. I have been glad to help out, but now I feel exasperated. I need my peace and privacy back.
It's Tougher for Our Kids Today: How You Can Help
October 1st, 2007
Dr. Betty answers the question: I have read in various magazines that this generation of young people has an "entitlement syndrome" and that they are refusing to grow up, but I believe that our 20 and 30 year olds have it harder than we did when we were striking out on our own. Do you have any suggestions or thoughts on this issue?
Teaching Kids & Grands: Their Talent and Privilege Can Positively Impact Others' Lives
September 1st, 2007
Dr. Betty answers the question: My grown children have been brought up in affluence. I fear that I have spoiled them. Do you have some ideas on how we can educate them about the importance of giving back to our communities and to help those less fortunate?
Improving Relationships with Adult Children of Divorce
July 1st, 2007
Dr. Betty addresses the troubling issue of reestablishing relationships with adult children of divorce.
June 1st, 2007
Dr. Betty answers the question: We are planning a family reunion this summer and want it to be a memorable event that will increase our family connection. We had a retreat three years ago that did not increase our bond due to the interference of cell phones, computers and computer games. Do you have some tips for our family?
April 1st, 2007
The phenomenon of grown children living at home through their 20s, 30s and beyond has become so commonplace it is now part of pop culture with films such as "Failure to Launch" and the sitcom "Free Ride."
