Relieving Stress by Missing Class
As a clinician, one of the first things I hear from adults when speaking to them about school-based therapy is “but the student is missing class time” with an even bigger emphasis on missing academics. The rationale behind this...
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...
Self-Care: Taking Care of Your Body
Self-care is doing activities to take care of your mental, emotional, and physical health. Practicing self-care helps us reduce stress and manage our emotions better. Lack of self-care can lead to increased stress and illness overtime. While taking care...
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...
3 Tips to Enjoy Autumn, Even More
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love everything this time of the year brings, especially the return of football, cooler weather, pumpkin spice, and the brilliant colors we see as the leaves turn around our area. However,...
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...
Managing Your Body Image during Swimsuit Season
As spring break and summer nears, you may feel a little bit of body anxiety or insecurities creeping up. We have all heard phrases such as, “It’s swimsuit season, I need to diet” or “I need to work on...
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...
Back to School Blues
It’s that time of year! School is back in session! Excited students shuffle down the hallway in new shoes, hands gripping the straps of their new backpacks. School supplies are new and crisp, waiting to be put to use...
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...
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...