Author: Chris Williams

Let’s face it, grief is a tough emotion to wrestle with! In our August 9th blog post, we learned that it is a complicated process that we all tend to experience differently. As difficult as it is to comprehend as adults, grief is particularly difficult for children. While we cannot spare them the experience of … Continue reading Helping Children Through Grief

Trauma can be one of the most difficult things to discuss in the therapy room. Talking about it can be triggering, and it can bring up flashbacks, nightmares, and panic. As bad as this experience can be for adults, it can be devastating for children. Lacking the maturity to grasp the meaning of trauma and … Continue reading Treating Trauma in Children: Sand Tray Therapy

During Pride Month last year, I wrote about supporting your LGBTQIA+ child. This year, I’d like to focus in on supporting your transgender youth. This discussion is vital when considering that a large number of states are considering or enacting legislation that blocks gender-affirming care for youth. Research has already shown that transgender youth are … Continue reading Supporting Your Transgender Youth

As we continue our look at Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s time to shift our focus to youth. In the past, we’ve established that youth can benefit from mental health services, but how do we have that discussion with them in the first place? A potential solution may be closer than you realize. Let’s talk … Continue reading Mental Health Movie Nights!

No doubt about it, our youth today are feeling the STRESS! A study by the American Psychological Association found that one in five youth reported they worry “a great deal or a lot”, and at least 30 percent of youth reported experiencing headaches due to stress and worry. The same report also found an even … Continue reading The Hard Truth about Youth and Stress

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, has become the go-to therapy for a multitude of mental health concerns, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression, substance dependence, PTSD, and eating disorders. Dr. Marsha Linehan, a Professor of Psychology and adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington, developed DBT. Dr. Marsha Linehan When … Continue reading Celebrating Women Pioneers in Mental Health: Dr. Marsha Linehan

Intersectionality is defined as “an analytical framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege.”  The term was coined by UCLA School of Law and Columbia Law School professor Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw.  In counseling, we are asked to consider the intersectionality of our clients’ experiences to better serve them, particularly … Continue reading Lifting Black Voices: LGBTQIA+ Intersectionality

It’s January. The glitter and excitement of the holidays are over, and the days are still short and cold. Parents, it won’t be long before you start hearing those six words that fill you with dread: “I’m bored! There’s nothing to do!” Okay, time to be honest. When you hear “nothing to do”, is your … Continue reading Using Validation to Fight Seasonal Depression in Children

Recent research has shown that nearly 1.6% of the American population, or over 4 million people, have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Sadly, BPD stands as one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized mental health disorders, even among mental health providers. As we continue to raise awareness about BPD, today we focus on … Continue reading When Someone You Love has BPD

According to a report by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, somewhere between 14%-20% of young people a year experience some sort of mental, emotional, or behavior disorder a year.  The report goes on to highlight the importance of early detection and intervention in order to minimize the impact of the disorders.  Mental … Continue reading The Biggest Barrier to Your Child’s Mental Health?