While women are often the ones who seek therapy, typically making up nearly two-thirds of therapy patients, multiple studies have shown that men benefit more from the process. But men rarely seek therapy because they just don’t like the idea of opening up to a stranger and sharing their feelings. Therapy, then, isn’t a very […]
Do I Have PTSD? Recognizing the Signs
We often hear people talk about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Frequently associated with post-war veterans and victims of mass violence, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can develop in people who’ve experienced or witnessed a traumatic or life-threatening event and does not only apply to War Veterans. There are many other instances of trauma […]
Mass Shootings: How to Talk to Your Kids
After the tragedy at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado in 1999, certainly no one could imagine that over the next 20 years, 200 more school shootings would occur. In the first 79 days of 2018 alone, there were 12 school shootings, compared to 9 over the entire year of 2017. Sadly, school shootings are […]
Mindfulness for Kids – 4 Easy Ways to Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of your body and feelings in the present moment. If you’re silent for a moment, you will notice the subtle smell of your freshly washed clothing, the sound of your breathing, and watch a small leaf blow past your window. Mindfulness is an incredibly calming, relaxing practice that […]
How to Bring Up Resilient Children
Have you heard the phrase “helicopter parent?” It describes a mother or father that ‘hovers’ around their child 24/7, overseeing their life to keep them from every potential danger, pitfall and mishap. It looks good on paper, but this kind of parenting forgets one important fact of reality: life happens. Adversity happens to all of us. […]
Ready, Set, Play Therapy!
Childhood can be a time of great wonder and joy. But for some, childhood is flooded with chaotic family or school situations that overwhelm and depress developing psyches. Adults who are having trouble in their lives can often get help by speaking with a trained therapist. But young children can find it difficult and even […]
How to Talk to your Child About Mental Health
Talking to your child about mental health is the first step to normalizing the importance of taking care of our whole self, including our emotional and mental well being. It also helps children and teens practice empathy and understanding, instead of fear or judgement, when they begin to notice changes in mom, dad, siblings or […]
“Back-to-School” in Full Effect: Helping your Teen Manage Back-to-School Stress
It’s almost fall, which means Back-to-School season is in full effect. While some kids dread early mornings, alarm clocks, and homework, they still look forward to school; to enjoying friendships, making new connections, sports, and new activities. Some children, however, have a legit fear of going back to school. They worry about potential bullying, ex […]
5 Reasons Why Parents Don’t Discuss Child Sexual Abuse and Why You Should Be Talking About It
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused by the time they are 18, and 44% of rape victims are under age 18. Sadly, but not surprisingly, victims of sexual assault are three times more likely to suffer from depression, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, […]
Self-Care Tips for Parents of Special Needs Children
As a parent of a child with special needs, you probably spend most of your days so busy with the demanding needs of your family that you neglect to take care of yourself. Medical appointments, dentist appointments, IEP meetings, parent-teacher conferences, specialty hospital/doctor visits, follow up with referrals… The list goes on. The concept of […]