Being a teenager is tough. Between navigating friendships, managing schoolwork (and pressure about college), and dealing with the endless stream of social media, it’s no surprise many teens struggle with self-esteem. As a parent or caregiver, you play a crucial role in helping your teen build confidence that comes from within—not from likes, followers, or the latest trends. Here are some specific ways you can help your teen develop a strong sense of self-worth.
As a child and family therapist, parents frequently ask me what is the “right” age to get their child a cell phone. It’s a big decision, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Some children are going back and forth between 2 homes, and a cell phone can be helpful. Others want one to be able to text and Facetime their friends. Each child is different; what works for one child might not work for another. In this blog post, I’ll go over things for parents to consider when answering the question if it’s time for a cell phone.
Screens today are an integral part of our children’s lives, offering entertainment, education, and connection. Many children get computers in kindergarten. Lots of parents choose to get cell phones for elementary-age children to monitor location and safety. Kids today are “digital natives,” meaning they are born into a time of technology. Screens are all around us and it’s hard to know how much screen time is too much and how it can impact our children. Let’s explore the impacts of screens on children’s development and review some practical guidelines for fostering healthy technology use at home.
Pixar just released “Inside Out 2,” a funny, touching, and sophisticated look at how our emotions and experiences shape us. In the sequel, we once again join main character Riley’s five primary emotions: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. However, now Riley is 13 and heading to a hockey summer camp when the “puberty alarm” goes off. The group is then joined by some new feelings: Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy, and Ennui (a mashup of boredom/disinterest/lethargy). We can learn a lot from “Inside Out 2” about ourselves, other people, and our kids. Here are a few of the biggest psychological takeaways. Warning, light spoilers ahead.
One of my favorite things to do in private practice, besides working with my lovely clients, is continuing education. Even though I’ve been in the field for over 20 years, I’m always striving to get better. My clients come to me with a range of concerns and treatment preferences, so keeping up with research and best practices is crucial. In this blog post, I’m sharing a few upcoming things I’m excited to be reading, learning, and attending. This blog is for therapists, students, or those interested in a look behind the scenes of counselor continuing education.
As a therapist, I understand the importance of a good night’s sleep on mental health. Problems falling asleep or staying asleep are common issues my clients share with me. Children and teens talk about having a hard time falling asleep because of overthinking, worrying, or difficulty relaxing. Parents share concerns about their child’s moods, school performance, or feelings of anxiety. We know that sleep is important to our overall health. By improving a child or teen’s sleep, we may also be improving their mood, concentration, and anxiety levels. Read on for some helpful tips on helping your child get a better night’s sleep.
These days, a lot of children and teens are asking for therapy. This is usually easy for parents. You find a good therapist and get started. Other times parents might be concerned about their child’s mental health, behavior, or substance use and know that they need more help… but the child does not want to go. They might be angry, nervous, or embarrassed at having to see a therapist. Some children or teens may have had a negative experience with therapy or may not know what to expect. However, with a little bit of patience and understanding, you can help your child feel comfortable with therapy. Here are some of my favorite tips:
A lot of people have recently asked me about EMDR. As a Licensed Professional Counselor with 15 years of experience providing EMDR to kids and adults, I’ve learned so much about this treatment. But just what is EMDR? If you’re interested in learning more about EMDR, how it works, and if it could potentially help you or a loved one, read on.
Part 1 of Tips for Talking with Your Teen covered ways to create opportunities for connection with your teen. Finding times for talking with your teen can be a challenge. But what do you do or say once you have them in a chatty mood? Read on for some of my favorite tips for talking with your teen.
Recent research shared by the Pew Research Center is that two-thirds of parents in the U.S. believe that parenting today is harder than it was 20 years ago. The majority of parents surveyed reported they believed this was due to the increase in technology, primarily screens and social media. With busy and technology-filled modern lives, many parents ask me about how to connect with their teenagers. And so, here are some of my favorite tips for talking with your teen.