Recognizing Signs of Anxiety in Children: A Short Guide for Parents
The First Step is Recognition Anxiety can be tough for anyone, and it can be especially scary for parents when their child experiences these difficult feelings. However, with the support of family, a trusted support system, and professional help...
Completing the Stress Cycle
Jennifer Acker , M.A.
Understanding ADHD in Teens
Jessica Gross , M.A.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. The essential feature of ADHD is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity...
The Importance of “Mattering” to Teens
Bailey Smith , M.Ed.
I recently read the book “Never Enough” by Jennifer Breheny Wallace, which dives into achievement culture among adolescents and how it contributes to mental health concerns like anxiety and depression. Through my own school-based counseling work with high school...
Co-Parenting After Divorce
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
The goal of healthy co-parenting after divorce is to minimize the conflict between the parents. Research shows that it’s the conflict between the parents, not the divorce itself, that has the greatest negative impact on the children. What are...
The Visual Aid: an Invaluable Tool to Help Children Manage Their Emotions
Samantha Scalabrino , M.A.
Recall the last time you witnessed a child having a temper tantrum. Did it help to tell them to just “calm down?” Probably not. In fact, it most likely made the tantrum worse. Now, what if you had tried...
What Your “Bad” Emotions Can Do for You!
Becca Samelson-Webb , M.A.
“It’s not a big deal, calm down!” “Don’t cry, it’s okay!” “Don’t get angry at me!” “You should be happy!” Sound familiar? Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably said something like this to a friend or family...
Size of the Problem: Helping Children Match Their Feelings and Reactions to a Problem
Samantha Scalabrino , M.A.
Size of the Problem (SotP) is a tool used to help individuals think critically about how their feelings and responses to a perceived problem impact themselves and the people around them. Simply put, it helps people understand how big...
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...