Often times my clients who struggle with depression or anxiety will tell me that in the moments they are very down or very anxious, it is hard for them to pull themselves out of it. They will say that in those moments they cannot think clearly enough about all we have discussed to remember how to challenge their thoughts or to think more positively. I will suggest to them to find a quote that they […]
Social anxiety disorder affects many of our young adolescents and teenagers. Often times you will notice that your child is very nervous about a presentation they have to do in class or reluctant to ask a teacher a question. Outside of school, you may realize that your child will not order their dinner when out to eat or will not ask a store employee a question. At times, I have heard parents say that they
Have you ever been in a room full of children without any plan and it just feels like it is a completely chaotic environment? Have you ever felt this same feeling in your own home? One thing that I have learned over the years is adolescents function better when there is a routine. Having a routine helps both adolescents and their parents be more productive and creates an overall calmer environment. Day to day life
There are many different ways parents can teach their children lessons and hold them accountable for their actions. In my practice, when working with adolescents and their families, behavior charts have shown to be pretty effective when followed correctly and used consistently. At times, I have seen consistency be an issue for some, but when this issue occurs, the chart can fall apart in minutes. So, if you are interested in learning more and using
The holidays are upon us and they are known to be some of the most joyous times of the year, but not for everyone. Individuals who are grieving may find the holidays to bring sadness to them because they recently lost a loved one. When you lose someone dear to you, you face many changes, especially during the holidays you celebrated with them. The person who passed may have always made your favorite Christmas cookies
More and more often, both as a licensed clinician and as a high school counselor, I see so many teenagers plagued with anxiety. Since I started counseling over 10 years ago, I feel that the numbers of teenagers having symptoms of anxiety has increased. What I see even more are teenagers who do not have strong coping skills. When you mix these two characteristics, lack of coping skills and heightened levels of anxiety, you can
Depression comes in many forms and there are many different levels of depression. To start, I will explain the most common forms of depression to help you get a better understanding. Adjustment Disorder, with depressive symptoms: The onset of this depression is triggered by an adjustment such as loss of job, an unwanted move, or a breakup. The DSM 5 lists the following symptoms for a depression specifier: low mood, tearfulness, or feelings of hopeless
Anxiety is a word that is known to many, possibly too many. A common question I get is “Why do I have anxiety?” Sometimes it is not always clear. Anxiety can come from genetics, life stressors, environment, and even facing a traumatic event. Anxiety can, at times, be very crippling. Some of the most common symptoms of anxiety are struggling with sleep, struggling to concentrate, becoming irritable, and of course, constantly worrying. Many clients will
The end of an era. Graduating from high school is such a huge accomplishment and it is so exciting, but to many teens, absolutely petrifying. I have worked with high school students, specifically juniors and seniors since 2008 (a long time, I know). As the end of senior year approaches, I have seen so many mixed emotions from both my students and my clients. They are excited, happy, sad, shocked, and sometimes indifferent. They are about
The Big “C.” It is the terrifying word that we all dread to hear…. Cancer…. This word can send chills down someone’s spine, make them feel like they are going to pass out, or have an overwhelming fear of panic are just some of the many reactions we may have. Growing up, I was surrounded by cancer in my home, so the “C” word was sadly not a foreign one. I saw both my mother
