It can be tough to know what’s going on in your child’s world. Little kids may not have the language to name their feelings, while older kids and teens may be resistant to opening up. As both a counselor and a mom, I recommend checking in with your children regularly….
Young children show the effects of trauma in many ways. They may seem anxious, sad, afraid, act out, become aggressive, or even shut down emotionally. When difficult situations break or stress the all-important bond between children and parents, the symptoms of trauma can persist or worsen. Children need to know…
Just as physical health is supported by proper diet, exercise, and rest, our mental health is just as multi-faceted. Mental health consists of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. In recognition of the importance of mental health awareness and treatment, World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on October 10th….
It’s easy to want your children to thrive; it’s harder to know exactly how to help them achieve their full potential. Parents, grandparents, and other caregivers aren’t always given the resources to identify and find treatment for mental health issues in kids. The Covid-19 pandemic shone a much-needed spotlight on…
About one in six kids in the United States struggle with a treatable mental health disorder, and only half of them get the professional help they need. As a parent or caregiver, you provide consistent support for your child. You help teach them how to navigate life’s challenges. An important…
Child therapists know that children grieve differently from adults, and they also understand how a child’s unique grieving process might be overlooked in the midst of significant loss. Children who experience the death of someone close to them are often surrounded by adult suffering. They might not want to burden…
Human beings are innately social creatures. Communication is the core of civilization, the glue that holds society together. When we’re cut off from other people in some way — when we can no longer communicate as effectively as we once did — it can be devastating. We can no longer…
A new study says that using cannabis as a teen or adolescent can have negative impacts on cognitive functioning, especially verbal memory. Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine tested and analyzed siblings (unlike other similar studies) to rule out familial factors. The study used interviews and neuropsychological…
People new to or considering homeschooling often wonder what it takes to become a homeschool teacher—what makes a mom or dad qualified to teach their children? I believe any parent willing to invest their time and energy into their children’s education can successfully homeschool, but are there traits or actions…
Quick Summary A new study “A prefrontal-paraventricular thalamus circuit requires juvenile social experience to regulate adult sociability in mice” suggests that social isolation in childhood has a harmful impact on adult brain functioning and more specifically, in an area of the brain that’s responsible for regulating social behavior. In addition…
As schools prepare to reopen in September, the uncertainty of what to expect raises a myriad of questions and feelings for parents and students alike. What will the procedures be like in schools? Will children be asked to wear masks and social distance? Will full classroom learning continue, or will…
Each year, 5,000 young individuals (those between the ages of 15 and 24) die by suicide in the U.S., making it the third leading cause of death among young people. If you’re worried your teen may be suicidal… 1) Validate their pain. If your teenager tells you they have suicidal…
