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...
Supporting Your Teen Through Suicidal Struggles: Why CAMS Can Make a Difference
Kara Cunningham , M.A.
As a mental health professional trained in the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) protocol, I specialize in helping teens and adolescents navigate one of the most difficult challenges they—and their families—may ever face: suicidal thoughts and behaviors....
Strengthening the Parent-Child Relationship
Samantha Scalabrino , M.A.
Parenting can feel a bit like a juggling act. Shuttling kids around to all of their events, while also trying to work, take care of the home, and manage your own time is daunting on the best of days....
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,...
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...
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...
Talking Tips for Teens 3
Stephen Walters , M.Div., M.A.
So far in 2025, I have been giving parents some tips on how to talk to their teens, and last time I started giving teens tips on how to talk to parents. My hope is that communication in the...
And They’re Off! Emotionally Preparing for Middle School
Samantha Scalabrino , M.A.
It is that time of year again when we acknowledge our children’s hard work and celebrate their transition from one chapter of their life to another with graduation ceremonies and parties. While the word “graduation” typically evokes thoughts of...
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...
Talking Tips for Teens 2
Stephen Walters , M.Div., M.A.
So far in 2025, I have been giving parents some tips on how to talk to their teens, and last time I started giving teens tips on how to talk to parents. My hope is that communication in the...
How to Talk to Your Teen – Part 3
Stephen Walters , M.Div., M.A.
So far this year, we have been looking at tips on how to talk to our teenagers and how to make 2025 “The Year of Communication.” In Part 1, we looked at avoiding lecturing, active listening, and validation instead...
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...
How to Talk to Your Teen – Part 2
Stephen Walters , M.Div., M.A.
In part 1 of “How to Talk to Your Teen,” I mentioned that I have a teenager and I am trying to figure out how to communicate well with him as the dynamics of his needs change. I mentioned...
Talking Tips for Teens 1
Stephen Walters , M.Div., M.A.
So far in 2025, I have been giving parents some tips on how to talk to their teens. I mentioned that I now have a teenager and that communication changes as our kids age. I want to help parents...
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...