How to Listen to Teens
Korina Calbay , M.S.
Teenagers often feel misunderstood by their parents, and parents feel like communicating with teenagers can be a mystery. When parents punish their teens, they may feel like it is the only consequence that makes sense. Based on the book,...
4 Practical (and Fun) Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship This Holiday Season
Jason Howard , M.A.
The holidays bring all the joyful chaos: crowded schedules, too much food, and family members giving unsolicited advice. With all this added pressure, it’s easy to feel like you and your partner are more “survival teammates” than “seasoned soulmates.”...
How to Talk to Your Child About School Shootings
Alyssa Kiss , M.A.
It grieves me to be writing this blog regarding a topic that so deeply affects our students, parents, school staff, and community today. The anxiety and confusion surrounding school shootings is prevalent for us all. This is made more...
Are You Being Selfish or Is This Good Self-stewardship?
Alice D. Hoag , Ed.D.
“You’re so selfish; all you think about is yourself and what you want! You never think about me and what I might want!” “You’re so inconsiderate. Do you have any idea how that affected me?” “You’re so caught up...
Transform Your Relationship with the Gentle Start-Up
Will Goodwin , M.A
In any relationship, especially in a marriage, how we start a conversation can significantly impact its outcome. The Gentle Start-Up is a communication tool designed to help couples address issues without escalating conflict. Rooted in the research of Dr....
Sober Curious Summer
Jennifer Acker , M.A.
Summer is officially upon us. The temperature is rising, kids are out of school, and we are spending more time outdoors. Whether it’s poolside snacks, barbeques, or picnics, people love any excuse to get together with friends for food...
The Importance of Community
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
One of the first things I ask a new client when we meet is “tell me about your support system”. Understanding how connected someone is to a community of support gives me a lot of information about their mental...
Positive Self-Talk for Adolescents
Bailey Smith , M.Ed.
We’ve all encountered individuals who seem to constantly criticize or speak negatively about others. Being in the presence of such negativity can significantly affect our mood and self-esteem. However, for many teenagers, that critical voice isn’t external—it’s their own...
What are the Types of Attachment in Child Parent Relationships
Allison Bates , M.S.
Attachment is a facet of parenting many people can forget about or deprioritize with the infinite other responsibilities of parenting; however, attachment with a caregiver is one of the most important things a parent can give their child. The...
Improving Attachment in Parent/Child Relationships
Allison Bates , M.S.
Attachment between a child and parent creates the roadmap of how a child interacts with others and themselves, often for the rest of their lives. If a child is securely attached to a caregiver, they are more likely to...
Parent Child Interaction Therapy and Childhood Cancer
Facing cancer is an immense challenge for anyone, but for children, it means grappling with their mortality at an age meant for dreams of being a princess or a superhero. For their parents it is a terrifying ordeal to...
Conquering Depression: A Comprehensive Guide to Relieving Symptoms
Sarah Mixson , M.S.W.
Depression is a complex and challenging condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Research shows that the best way to treat depression is through medication and talk therapy. On top of that there are several self- care strategies that...
Can Chronic Pain Impact Social Relationships?
Alyssa Kiss , M.A.
“And here you are living despite it all.” – Rupi Kaur, author and poet Chronic pain can impact social relationships in significant ways. In this blog, we will discuss the impact of chronic pain on friendships and relationships, the...
How to Build your Child’s Self-Esteem
A child’s self-esteem begins with a positive self-identity, which is critical for building a foundation for confidence, happiness, and emotional well-being. When children have a positive self-identity, they can navigate through life with a sense of purpose and feel...
Unlocking Discipline: The 5 Critical Components
Discipline is often misconstrued as a form of punishment and what comes to mind most is spanking. However, the essence of discipline is teaching and guiding. At its core discipline means providing structure, consistency, and setting limits. Schedules and...
Fostering Independence
Eva Salazar Torres , M.S.
“It’s a tough world out there, and my children need to be provided with every advantage so they can be competitive in the college or job market.” The above is a parent trap. As parents it is normal to...
What is Social Media Telling Me?
Line Fleming , M.A.
Keeping up with our teens and their social media use can be a challenge. There are so many platforms and apps that can be explored. It can be difficult to keep up with them all. One thing we can...
Finding a Place of Honesty, Authenticity, and Love
Can you tell your partner everything? When intimate relationships are built on a foundation of honesty, they can reach a level of profound authenticity and mutual understanding. But since the beginning of time, it seems, people have been prone...