When we think about student success in school, we often picture grades, attendance, and test scores. What we do not always see is the foundation underneath those outcomes. A student’s mental and emotional well-being plays a major role in how well they are able to learn, focus, and participate in class. Mental health is no different than physical health. If a child has a broken arm, we expect them to see a doctor. If a child is struggling emotionally, that also deserves care a

Understanding early clues before behavior becomes disruptive Many families do not seek support until behavior becomes overwhelming at home or school. What often gets missed are the quieter patterns that show up long before things feel unmanageable. These early signs can look like personality traits or phases, but they are often the first indicators that a child is struggling with communication, coping, or emotional regulation. Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) is de

What to Expect When Starting Outpatient Therapy Starting outpatient therapy can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what the process looks like or what happens after you reach out. Understanding each step can help you feel more confident and prepared as you begin your care journey. Here’s what to expect when starting outpatient therapy, from your initial referral to ongoing treatment. Step 1: Making a Referral The process begins when a person, parent, caregiver,

It’s easy to notice when a student is disruptive in class. It’s much harder to notice when a student is quietly struggling. Many emotional and behavioral needs in children don’t begin with obvious outbursts. Instead, they show up in subtle changes that can be mistaken for lack of motivation, attitude, or typical growing pains. Over time, these small changes can snowball into academic, social, and emotional challenges that are much harder to address. Understanding what to look

you notice your child struggling, it is natural to feel unsure about where to start. Two of the most common supports available to families are Outpatient Counseling and Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS). Both can make a meaningful difference, but they are designed to help in different ways. Learning about those differences can help families understand what is available. What is the difference between IBHS and outpatient counseling? Outpatient Counseling Outpatient c

Starting Family-Based Mental Health Services can feel like a big step. Many families begin services during a stressful or overwhelming time, which makes it normal to feel unsure about what will happen next. The first 30 days of Family-Based services are designed to help your family feel supported, understood, and prepared for long-term progress. This early phase focuses on learning about your family, building trust, and creating a strong foundation for meaningful change. Here

School can be a challenging place for students who struggle with emotional regulation. While classrooms are designed for learning, they are also full of expectations, transitions, social interactions, and unexpected moments. For some students, these demands can quickly become overwhelming. When emotional regulation is difficult, it often shows up as behavior in school. Understanding why this happens and how school-based mental health services help can make a meaningful differ

As children grow, it is normal for them to experience stress, big emotions, and challenges along the way. However, when emotional or behavioral changes begin to affect a child’s daily life, relationships, or ability to function at school or home, counseling can offer meaningful support. Outpatient counseling provides children and families with a safe, supportive space to explore emotions, learn coping skills, and address concerns early. Recognizing the signs that a child may

When a student struggles emotionally or behaviorally, it can affect every part of their school day. School-based mental health services are designed to give students support right where they need it most: inside the school environment. These services help students cope, stay regulated, participate more fully, and strengthen their overall well-being so they can succeed in both learning and life. What School-Based Mental Health Services Are In simple terms, school-based mental

Intensive Behavioral Health Services, often called IBHS, provide individualized support for children and teens in the places where they struggle the most. This may be at home, in school, daycare, camp, or out in the community. IBHS focuses on building helpful skills, improving communication, and reducing challenging behaviors so children can feel more successful and confident every day. If you are a parent or a school professional trying to understand what IBHS is and how it

When a family is going through a difficult season, the home can start to feel overwhelming. Stress builds, emotions run high, and conflict becomes part of everyday life. Family-Based Mental Health Services (FBMHS) provide support right where families need it most: inside the home. This program helps children and caregivers strengthen relationships, reduce crisis moments, and rebuild a sense of safety and connection. FBMHS is the highest level of in-home mental health care av

Phelan McDermid Syndrome, often called PMS, is a rare neurodevelopmental condition that impacts children in many different ways. Because the symptoms often resemble other conditions, families may spend years searching for answers before receiving an accurate diagnosis. For one Laurel Life family, this journey was filled with questions, evaluations, and uncertainty. Today, their daughter Tara is making meaningful progress with the support of Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA t

Reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure what type of help you or your child might need. Many people think counseling is only for moments of crisis, but outpatient therapy is actually designed for everyday struggles that build up over time. It offers a safe, steady space to talk through challenges, learn new tools, and feel more grounded. If you’re wondering whether outpatient counseling might be the right choice, this guide can help you

Empowering School Leaders Through Trauma-Informed Practices The 2025 Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) School Leadership Conference  brought together hundreds of education leaders from across the state at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Pocono Mountains . Each year, the PSBA Conference is one of Pennsylvania’s most anticipated gatherings for school administrators, board members, and educational professionals. It’s a time to connect, share ideas, and learn ho

Sprouts classrooms combine play, structure, and positive reinforcement to help preschoolers build confidence and kindergarten readiness. For many young children, the journey to kindergarten begins long before the first day of school. Laurel Life’s Sprouts program is a unique therapeutic treatment group that helps children build the emotional, social, and behavioral skills they need to thrive in the kindergarten classroom and beyond. Sprouts is designed for preschool-aged chi

As the psychologist Noam Shpancer said, "Mental health is not a destination, but a process." A pivotal part of the mental health process includes intervention services. The earlier these services are initiated, the better the outcome for the individual receiving them. School-based interventions are a proactive way to confront and resolve the trauma and stressors associated with declining mental health before these issues exacerbate. Folium, Inc addresses these concerns in man

October 2023 is ADHD Awareness month. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is described as a persistent or ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that gets in the way of daily life or typical development (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Individuals with ADHD may also have difficulties with maintaining attention and executive functioning, which includes the brain’s ability to begin an activity, organize itself, and manage tasks. Acc

Anticipating a class presentation, experiencing domestic violence in the home, or being exposed to bullying at school – all can be triggering events for youth. However, an individual’s resilience can determine how well they navigate these negative occurrences. Resilience is the capability to adapt and cope with circumstances outside of one’s control, and it shapes the way an individual responds and recovers from each incident. Further, resilience is not proven to be innate; b

“Conflict” is a loaded word. As a therapist, I’ve noticed that it sends some clients running for the door. While it’s easy to think that conflicts are themselves problematic, I’ve come to see them as inevitable. At work, school, and home (all places where there are groups of people sharing space) disagreement is part of the deal. So, if we see conflicts as simply negative, we may miss the opportunities they provide to develop mutual understanding and grow. Thus, the problem o

Since I was child, I always knew that I wanted to help people. As a young adult, I had the opportunity to work with children in the big brother/big sister program in Harrisburg, PA. Observing the needs of children helped to direct my college focus to social work. One I was in college, my experiences broadened to include families and adults, working in both the food bank and a a domestic violence shelter for women. In 2014, I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania