Rethinking What Counseling Means for Kids
Caroline Buttrey , M.S.W
When most people hear the word therapy, they often picture trauma, or a problem that needs to be fixed. But for children, therapy is so much more than that. It’s not just about healing, it’s about learning, growing, and...
Naming and Taming Big Emotions
Caroline Buttrey , M.S.W
If you’ve ever seen your child go from calm to melting down in a matter of seconds, you know how powerful emotions can be. For kids, big feelings like anger, sadness, or frustration can feel confusing and even a...
A Kid’s Guide to Expressing Feelings
Line Fleming , M.A.
How are you feeling today? This is a question we hear often. But what is the answer? Some feelings are easy to understand while others are confusing and not as easy to understand and express. We can also feel...
Big Changes, Big Feelings
Aleisha Parker , M.Ed.
Kids and teens are still building their sense of identity and safety in the world. When a major life change occurs like moving, changing schools, divorce, a new sibling, or even graduation to middle or high school, it can...
The Procrastination Effect
Alyssa Kiss , M.A.
Procrastination is a common issue that all of us deal with throughout our lives. It is human nature to push things off that are unpleasant, boring, or mundane. This problem can be especially difficult for middle and high school...
Why Childhood Development Matters and the Impact of Trauma
Haley Aguero , M.A.
One of the most common misconceptions about childhood is the idea that “kids don’t remember their early years.” Because of this belief, many people underestimate how deeply these experiences shape a child’s development. But childhood development tells a different...
Tips for Defiant Behavior
Shaquanta “Shelley” Danjoint , M.S.
If your child is struggling with defiant, aggressive, impulsive, irritable behaviors and can be especially difficult with obeying rules and respecting authority these may be signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms. Raising kids can be challenging but it...
Does My Child’s Bedtime Matter During the Summer?
Sarah Mixson , M.S.W.
When school is out and summer begins, it’s natural for routines to shift. Bedtimes are often stretched later, screens stay on longer and sleep habits can fall by the wayside. While summer brings more freedom and fun, consistent sleep...
ADHD: Is My Child Lazy?
Korina Calbay , M.S.
Parents of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) question their child’s motives. They are at a loss of how to address their child’s behavior and let their frustration dominate the power struggle of parenting. ADHD is a mysterious...
Teachers Light the Way!
Shaquanta “Shelley” Danjoint , M.S.
Teachers are very valuable in our community. They are often the ones spending a lot of time with our students and become the trusted adults our students feel comfortable going to. The job of a teacher can sometimes be...
Catching Your Child Green-Handed
Kara Cunningham , M.A.
The Parent Trap “Once again, you didn’t do your chores like you were told!” “Hitting your brother when you are mad is not okay.” “What have I said about your dirty dishes? It is your responsibility to rinse and...
What “Tantrums” Can Tell You
Caroline Buttrey , M.S.W
Tantrums are often loud, messy, and emotionally charged, but they’re also incredibly important. While it may look like your child is “just trying to get attention” or “being difficult,” tantrums are a form of communication. Young children (and even...
Why Routines Are Especially Important for Kids with ADHD
Caroline Buttrey , M.S.W
For children with ADHD, the world can often feel unpredictable and overwhelming. Their brains are constantly taking in information, jumping from thought to thought, and struggling to filter out distractions. This is where routines become incredibly powerful. A consistent...
What is Play Therapy and is it Right for My Child?
Haley Aguero , M.A.
“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” -Plato Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is the oldest and most researched therapy for children. Children are at a different developmental age...
Helping Your Child Through Your Divorce
Maddie McGarrah , M.Ed.
Divorce can be an emotionally overwhelming experience for everyone involved, but for children, it can be especially confusing and painful. As parents, you may worry about how the separation will affect your children and what you can do to...
Grounding Techniques: Easy Skills to Help Your Child Manage Their Anxiety
Samantha Scalabrino , M.A.
Anxiety is an excessive worry about a real or perceived threat that can result in avoidance behaviors and physical reactions. It differs from fear in that fear is an appropriate response to an immediate threat, whereas anxiety is usually...
Encouraging Flexible Thinking: Playing Games “Wrong”
Samantha Scalabrino , M.A.
Flexible Thinking is an important skill that allows children to understand situations different perspectives, embrace change, learn to adapt, and engage in critical thinking. However, this skill can be difficult for some children to learn on their own, leading...
Knowing the Signs of Trauma in Children
Maddie McGarrah , M.Ed.
Recognizing signs of trauma in children is an important but challenging task for parents, caregivers, and educators. Traumatic experiences can deeply affect a child’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Since children often lack the language or coping skills to...
A Kid’s Guide to Expressing Feelings
Line Fleming , M.A.
How are you feeling today? This is a question we hear often. But what Is the answer? Some feelings are easy to understand while others are confusing and not as easy to understand and express. We can also feel...
Eliminating the Stigma of Mental Health in Children
Just like adults, children experience mental health challenges and diagnoses. A crucial step in helping children feel comfortable in therapy is addressing and eliminating the stigma often associated with mental health concerns. For children, their self-image is a central...