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 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...
Chronic Pain Series: The Importance of Pain-Validation
Alyssa Kiss , M.A.
“…If only things would hurt in a clearer way.” – Excerpt of a poem by Fortesa Latifi titled “chronic illness” Chronic pain can be a truly debilitating experience. Whether you deal with pounding migraines, searing back pain, or a...
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,...
How Does Racism Impact the Mental and Physical Health of African Americans?
I recently received a referral involving an African American mother and her 20-year-old son with mental health issues. The mother expressed her preference for an African American male therapist, which she thought would be in the best interest of...
Excuses, Excuses: How to Move from Defensiveness to Understanding in Relationships
Alice D. Hoag , Ed.D.
Fred: “What’s the big deal, anyway? Why do we have to keep rehashing this? Just let it go!” Joan: “No! I can’t just let it go. You hurt me and all you do is keep making excuses!” Fred: “But...
Understanding and Reconciling with Your Estranged Child
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
How to reconcile Often a parent feels they were cut off by a child without fully understanding the cause of the conflict. While communication is key in resolving discord, it’s hard when your child has blocked all your calls...
Self-Esteem and Self-Actualization versus the Transcendent Self
Alice D. Hoag , Ed.D.
In my counseling practice, I am often asked about the importance of a healthy self-esteem, and how to get a “better” one: “My performance (in school, in sports, in social situations) suffers because I don’t have enough self-confidence. How...
A Hole in Your Heart: Living with Grief and Loss
Alice D. Hoag , Ed.D.
I was talking with a client the other day, let’s call her Julie (not her real name), about the recent loss of a relationship which had affected her deeply. Our conversation went something like this: Me: The final stage of...