Mind-body techniques can be highly beneficial for teenagers struggling with anxiety. They are holistic, addressing both the mental and physical aspects of anxiety symptoms. These include activities such as diaphragmatic breathing, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation, which help to become more attuned to the physical sensations of anxiety, learn to relax, and develop strategies for managing their stress. Additionally, mind-body techniques can help teenagers to better under

Self-care is important for parents to be aware of and encourage in their children and themselves. Further, parents should serve as models of self-care for their children. This is because impact that self-care can have on the overall wellbeing of individuals, including children, is profound. Any conscious action taken to maintain physical, emotional, and mental well-being is known as self-care. While this may seem simple, it is crucial for parents to understand that children n

“Deep human connection is…the purpose and the result of a meaningful life – and it will inspire the most amazing acts of love, generosity, and humanity.” - Melinda Gates Humans instinctively have a need for connection with others. However, how the drive for connection manifests can appear as an array of different affections. In October of 1992, a marriage counselor by the name of Dr. Gary Chapman wrote a theory categorizing these affections, naming them “love languages”. Dr

Culture permeates everything. It shapes who we are and to what we identify, even if we are unaware of it. Truly, it is a part of us that cannot be ignored or denied, and it is important to understand the impact it has on our lives. For example, I was talking to a student about food the other day during lunch break. The topic of rice came up and, specifically, whether I rinse it or not. A simple question, yet one that, apparently, has strong answers. Although I don’t know exac

Sometimes, activities that create friction can lead to cohesion if the appropriate support, direction, and debriefing are provided. One of these activities is Zoom , a group challenge utilizing skills such as visual literacy, communication, listening, and empathy. It also allows for the opportunity of growth in leadership skills and conflict resolution. To effectively implement Zoom , however, it is important that you have a rapport with your group and, if possible, to have m

The holiday season has drawn to a close and, yet, this time of year brings a wide range of experiences for people. Some may feel joy and gratitude, while others may experience stress and anxiety. It is important to reflect on the traditions and customs that your family has embraced over the years - both in the present and in your upbringing. No matter what traditions are celebrated, it is important to remain open-minded about the different experiences that individuals had ove

Grief and loss are very complicated topics that often bring up uncomfortable feelings. This discomfort often leads to avoiding addressing a loss and, instead, letting it be “the elephant in the room”. Further, it can be challenging to bring up the topic and you may worry you might make someone else sad. However, it is always okay to share how you feel, especially regarding grief and loss. Sharing your feelings about sensitive topics can help build emotional resilience. Thus,

I recently was given the opportunity to attend an interactive virtual webinar titled Managing the Madness: Self-Care for Human Service Professionals , led by Gregory A. Krausz, MA, CAADC, LPC. There was substantial information of value to take away from his presentation; in particular, an approach combating and overcoming professional burnout known as the Three R approach. The first “R” stands for recognize . It is important to recognize and watch for the warning signs of pr

Self-injurious behaviors are explained as maladaptive behaviors to which the individuals physically harm themselves. Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) are a more common in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than those with a different neurodevelopmental disorder. At least 50% of individuals with ASD will develop SIB at some stage in their life. SIB’s look like biting, scratching, pinching, skin picking, punching, or head banging. There are also less common behaviors

Children begin to learn taking turns through simple tasks in their everyday lives at school and at home. In particular, board games are a great option to practice taking turns frequently and playing with others. Further, playing a board game works on a child’s social skills and development of communication skills. Board games allow kids to think critically and problem solve by planning their next moves, considering their options, and determining the steps they need to take to

Imagine driving down a road and having no clue where you’re supposed to turn. As you continue driving, the town looks less and less familiar. You start to feel unsettled, confused, unsafe, lost, anxious, and so many more feelings. That is how a child with autism can feel when facing changes in their routines. Consistency allows the child to have a sense of familiarity and comfort. Developing anchor points takes time but enhances the child’s sense of security. Anchor points a

Meditation and mindfulness can seem intimidating to someone without prior experience. When approaching meditation, it is important to let go of a rigid mindset and go in without a goal or expectation. Let go of wanting to meditate the right way . The only goal of meditation and mindfulness activities is to make time for yourself. The hope is that you feel calmer and more relaxed afterward. Meditation will look and feel different each time. The goal is not to be still and quie

by Lindsay Snoke, LSW At the beginning of the month, I had an opportunity of a lifetime. I was sent to Charleston, South Carolina to...

While I was teaching a kids' yoga class the other day, I was awestruck when, without me specifically verbally instructing them to breathe, the students began, one by one, to each take deep, slow inhales through their nose as I was inhaling. I cannot express how excited I was. Although I had done this intentionally with teenagers and young adults, it wasn’t until this moment that I realized this practice was just as powerful with children. We know that children learn behaviors

There is a perception that today’s students show a general lack of respect for the rules and expectations of school. This has contributed to some students becoming disruptive in the classroom, falling behind on their academic expectations, and developing social anxiety or emotional trauma, requiring alternative educational settings with therapeutic support to achieve academic success. Unfortunately, students enter these alternative educational settings demonstrating disruptiv

When someone starts therapy, my initial question is often, “who do you turn to for support?” There’s a reason social history is listed on most mental health intake forms. Social support is linked to better mental health outcomes, greater trauma resilience, and lowered risk of early death. For better or worse, the people around us inevitably shape how we see the world, influencing what we perceive as normal or possible. Research from Yale University suggests that, if a friend

Mindful Breathing Earlier this week, I was teaching a yoga class for kids. As the class started and I encouraged a student to take a breath, he exclaimed, “I breathe every day!” Now, while this is certainly true for all of us ( or we wouldn’t be here ), this does not mean that we are all breathing the same way. Consider this: often do we think about breathing? How often do we intentionally direct our breathing? How often do we even just observe it? For me, the answer to all

We have previously discussed how to introduce mindfulness to kids and teens. In this article, we are going to examine two specific mindfulness practices that you can use with students, and yourself! First, we will come to our senses . 5-4-3-2-1 How often do we forget the familiar scent of home, until we go away for a time? How often do we forget to slow down and really taste the meal before us? Often, we neglect to give sufficient time to fully experience our senses in our da

by Josh Ramirez, LPC “I don’t know how I’m going to get through this!” “What was I thinking?” “I’m just not good enough…” Sound familiar?...

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted the daily lives of people globally. Families sheltered in place, people who commuted daily to the office worked from home, and students who spent time in the classroom socially engaged with peers and learning from professionals found themselves thrust into chaos learning from home. From this, many students developed anxiety from traumatic events happening around them, and missed out on important growth and development opportunities f