8 Ideas to Help Your Child Feel Comfortable with Therapy

A person with light skin is holding a red heart in their hands against a wooden table

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:

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Tips for Talking with Your Teen (Part 1)

Two people hold hands outdoors; one person has pink nail polish and the other is wearing several colored bracelets

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.

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Back-to-School Care for Parents & Caregivers

Three elementary school-aged children, two girls and a boy, are walking away, wearing jackets and brightly colored backpacks.

This time of year, there is so much to do for parents and caregivers! Trying to squeeze in those last bits of summer fun, shopping for school supplies and new clothes, signing up for fall sports, and getting kids back into the school routine. 

And who can forget about all the other school to-do’s: parent forms, Back-to-School Night, and keeping track of all the emails? It’s no wonder that many parents and caregivers report high levels of overwhelm during the back-to-school season. 

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Top 10 Questions to Ask a Therapist

Looking for mental health counseling for yourself or your child? With more Americans than ever before seeking therapy, you’re not alone. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or relationships, more people are feeling comfortable reaching out to a therapist. As you look for someone who will meet your needs, here’s a list of the top 10 questions to ask during that first phone call.

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The Top 10 Myths About Therapy… Written by a Therapist

1. My problems aren’t serious enough for therapy.

Sometimes we minimize what we’re experiencing, or compare ourselves with others who have “really serious” problems. The truth is, therapy can be helpful for everyone. 

Fred Rogers said, “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable.” Talking about feelings and problems with a professional can be helpful for a lot of people.

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