How to Fight Boredom with a Summer Routine
Bailey Smith , M.Ed.
Like many of you, I have been hearing a chorus of “I’m bored” from my school-aged clients recently. Without the structure of a typical school schedule, many teenagers get out of the routine of doing anything at all during...
How to Help Your Child Use Their Wise Mind
Shaquanta “Shelley” Danjoint , M.S.
First, it is helpful to understand the mind in three parts and the advantages vs. disadvantages of these parts, then explain them to your child. Part 1: The Rational/Reasonable Mind: This is the mind that pays attention to logic and...
Your Child’s Anxiety: Signs and Strategies for Calming Their Mind and Body
Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common type of psychological problem that children experience? One in eight children suffer from a significant anxiety disorder (Wang, 2017). In an average sized classroom of about 25 school-aged children,...
Setting Screen Time with your Kids and Teens
Maddie McGarrah , M.Ed.
Screens are now an essential part of our daily lives whether you are an adult or child. Children and teens now must use either computers or tablets while at school to get work done, do learning activities, and turn...
3 Steps to Help Kids Overcome Anxiety
Shaquanta “Shelley” Danjoint , M.S.
Opioid Use, It’s Effects on Children, and How to Identify Misuse
Allison Bates , M.S.
On average, 130 Americans die from opioid overdose (including prescription- Oxycodone, Codeine, Morphine, and Fentanyl, and illicit opioids- heroine) EVERY DAY. This statistic affects the children in our community, as 2 million children annually have a parent who uses...
How to Help Your Child Manage Anxiety & Disruptive Emotions
Stephen Walters , M.Div., M.A.
4 Things to Know Before Your Child Begins Therapy
As a parent, it can be difficult to navigate the world of therapy when your child is struggling. But with the right information and support, you can help your child get the most out of therapy and make meaningful...
What Should Parents Do When Their Child is Having Behavior Problems?
When children have frequent behavioral challenges that affect their ability to function at school or within the family, parents are often left feeling helpless. When children struggle with frequent temper tantrums, defiance, aggression, hyperactivity, or emotional outbursts that seem...
10 Tips to Boost your Child’s Self-Esteem
Sarah Mixson , M.S.W.
Wanting your child to grow and develop into a happy, confident individual is normal for many parents. Though this is a common goal for most parents, it’s not always clear how to help your child build their self-esteem. Put...
Why Play Therapy
Maddie McGarrah , M.Ed.
If you have a child who is elementary age or younger and may be struggling with behavioral or emotional challenges, play therapy is likely the best fit for them. Play Therapy has been developed over the years as a...
What is Attachment Theory?
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
John Bowlby, a British psychologist, was the first to develop the concept of attachment theory. He described attachment as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings”. His primary interest was in understanding the bond between children and their primary...
The Tyranny of “Shoulds”
Alice D. Hoag , Ed.D.
Shoulds abound in our lives. We hear them everywhere: from both outside of ourselves (family, friends, culture) and inside our own heads. “I really should do…” Or “I should have done…” or “you shouldn’t.…” “Should” is a tyrant, a...
The Impact of Separation and Divorce on Children
Separation and divorce is rarely easy for anyone involved, but it can be especially difficult for children regardless of age. Relationships end between couples all over the world, however, the United States has been labeled as the “leader” in...
Effects of Medicating ADHD in Children
Allison Bates , M.S.
According to some pharmacies, antidepressants for teenagers have risen 38% from 2015 to 2019 (while adult prescriptions only rose 12% during that same period). As that study was pre-pandemic, the results now are expected to be dramatically higher. Many...
How to Have Productive Discussions (Not Arguments!) with Your Child
Kate Smith , M.A.
Every parent has been there: You start with what seems like a simple request or question, and then, suddenly, you are in a screaming match with your child. How did it escalate to this? First and foremost, remember who...
Why Your Kids Don’t Want to Talk to You
Alexis Durham , M.S.
In this line of work, we often hear frustrations from parents regarding what their kids are and are not doing. A common one is typically something along the lines of, “I can tell something is wrong, but they won’t...
12 Tips for Building Better Relationships with Your Children
Set aside time weekly to spend time engaging in an activity that your child enjoys. Praise positive behavior that your child exhibits. Research has shown that positive reinforcement can positively improve a child’s social skills and behaviors. Give compliments...
Preparing Your Child for Their First Therapy Session
You have decided to take your child to therapy. Awesome! However, there is a problem: Your child does not want to go. Some children may not want to go because they believe they do not need therapy. Some may...
Helping Your Child Managing Losing
Imagine this- you’ve planned a family game night and the kids have been looking forward to this all week. Pizza, M&M’s, soda! But only a few minutes in, you already have a kid who has stormed out after their...