How NOT to Talk to Someone With Anxiety
It has been my experience that usually when we respond to those who are struggling, we are all trying our best to be as empathetic and kind as possible to our friends and loved ones. While our intentions are...
Giving the Gift of Validation
Validation is important because it communicates I hear you, I see you, and I care. When experienced from others it can feel like you have received the gift of acceptance and feeling understood. This is what makes learning the...
The Poverty of Pity
As someone who holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, I’m very aware of how tricky words can be. For instance, pity is often used synonymously with the term compassion, but the two couldn’t be any more different. Compassion...
More than a “Bad Mood”: Identifying Teenage Depression
Adolescence is riddled with changes, being a teen means wrestling with identity, self-image, belonging, and much more. There are constant transitions which can be confusing and difficult for parents and teens to navigate. We know another contributing factor is...
Video Games – How Much is Too Much?
We have all seen the rise and fall of trends in play in our children: slime, fidget spinners, and more, but what seems to stick around are video games. These games stick around because there is always something new...
How to Tackle Bedtime
Getting down a bedtime routine is like nailing the perfect recipe. In order to have a successful, stress-free, bedtime there are a few keys ingredients that go a long way when it comes to sweet dreams. Consistency Try to...
5 Tips for Improving Your Child’s Sleep Hygiene
It’s common knowledge that children need plenty of sleep. Depending on their age, most children need anywhere between 9 and 13 hours of sleep in order to be at their best. While children sleep, their brains are actively sorting...
How To Talk To Your Kids About Going To Therapy
There are many different ways a child becomes one of my clients: I’ve had kids google therapists, print out my profile, and ask their parent to schedule an appointment with me, often times families are referred, or maybe...
Make It Positive
Often times when I’m meeting with parents for the first time to discuss therapy for their child, parents feel desperate for help and change as soon as possible, yet they understand that even with therapy it will take time...
You Are Enough
Stephen Walters , M.Div., M.A.
“You are enough” is one of my most loved and most hated phrases. On the one hand, it can be very assuring. It can be the phrase that keeps you from comparing yourself to other people, especially unrealistic images...
Anxiety: What to Do and Not Do
Anxiety seems to be a common word I hear at every age with my clients. It seems to be increasing in children, and adolescents. For parents I understand that sometimes it can be tricky navigating what to do and...
Parenting: Before You Fix It, Sit With It
Much like a wife desires a husband to hear about her day before coming up with solutions for her daily difficulties, our children desire the same from parents. Too often we as parents accelerate past the consoling portion of...
The Art of Skill Building
Before becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, I spent some time working as a behavior aid at school specifically for students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. One of the lessons that stuck with me from that experience is that...
Mindfulness
School is out and SUMMER is finally here! Summer is the perfect time to build your child’s coping skills! So why not start with mindfulness? Mindfulness is magical. So here is the easy recipe for helping your kids understand...
Changes and Transitions Happen Faster than We Want!
Let’s face it, children are always growing up too fast and going through different points of transition that may be harder than others. Sometimes during different times of change it can cause anxiety or sadness for kids because they...
The Mask of Anger
“Why is my teen so angry?” is a common question raised by parents as their previously even-tempered child’s mood starts to vacillate between apathy and moodiness. This period can be particularly challenging for parents who are resolved to believe...