Summer is upon us, allowing much-needed time with our kids and teens that we should not take for granted. I think we can all agree these past few years have been anything but “easy,” and we, as well as our kids and teens, have felt the effects. So, this summer break can be a great […]
Why Some Teens Still Face Anxiety Over Masks and Ways Parent Can Help
The uncertainties from the first two years of the pandemic brought newfound fear and anxiety for families and individuals across the globe. Unfortunately, as a result, these harmful emotions and characteristics still linger within some of us today. Not only have adults been left with lingering fear and anxiety because of the pandemic, but adolescents […]
Common Reasons For Unmotivated Teens and Ways Parents Can Help
“My son rarely showers,” “My daughter will be graduating soon and won’t look into colleges,” and “He never does his homework;” are common complaints that many parents share about their teens. While nearly all teens experience days when they’re less motivated than usual, there is usually an underlying reason for teens who are consistently apathetic […]
Ways to Bring More Joy Into Your Life Even During Difficult Times
In my practice over the past year, I have seen many people looking for ways to bring more joy into their lives. One client recently shared an analogy about how the last two years of the pandemic have felt like “a layer of dust that they can’t get brushed off.” Feeling blah or joyless is […]
Ways to Find Hope with Attributes You May Not Realize You Have
There are times when life feels overwhelming, scary, or uncertain. In times such as these, you may ask yourself, “How am I going to get through this?”. If you’re feeling a bit helpless this year, you can reflect on how you got through past experiences to help you move forward with hope this year. While […]
Ways To Navigate Through The Holidays With Peace And Hope
The holidays can be a hectic time for everyone, especially for parents who have kids that live at home. Along with the normal stress that the holidays can cause, circumstances such as busy work schedules, unemployment, illness, loss, and pandemic-related worries can make the holiday season even more difficult. Although each family’s situation is different, […]
Ways that Kindness, Gratitude and Helping Others Can Improve Your Mental Health
Many people underestimate the power of kindness, gratitude, and helping others. While we learn that these are good behaviors, their scientific benefits and positive mental health effects often aren’t realized. It’s more than just doing what’s right and following moral laws. One of the best ways kids, teens, and adults can improve their mental health […]
Ways the Pandemic Has Made Bullying More Prevalent Today
The pandemic has triggered a variety of mental health symptoms, including bullying. Over the past year and a half, self-esteem and self-identity have taken a big hit, causing more adolescents to become targets or perpetrators of bullying. Bullying is about power. Those who are hurting from a mental or emotional disorder such as low self-worth, […]
How To be Okay When Things Aren’t Alright
For the past year and a half, things haven’t felt okay to many of us. And while some normality has returned, concerns around COVID’s new Delta variant and general global uncertainty have intensified feelings of “all is not well.” As a result, many teens (and adults) are experiencing anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. While […]
Helping Kids and Teens Navigate This New School Year
The 2021/2022 school year is very different from prior years. Unlike last year, when many kids struggled with virtual learning, they are now adjusting to being back in the classroom after nearly a year and a half. New to this school year is different rules, mask mandates, pro-vaccine views vs. anti-vaccine views, a new variant […]