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?
How do I talk to my teen about suicide?
Parents, there are many difficult conversations you need to have with your child. No doubt, talking about suicide is somewhere at the top of that list. It’s a conversation that you need to be ready for, though. According to a recent report by the CDC, suicide is now the second leading cause of among teens … Continue reading How do I talk to my teen about suicide?
Back to School: Pack Up the Pencils, the Papers … and the PIE?!
So, my pandemic project has been learning how to bake pies. Armed with a recipe from the internet and high hopes, my first attempt was… passable, but only just (see below). As I anticipated, the dough was tricky. I had been tempted multiple times during the process to just give up and say, “I can’t … Continue reading Back to School: Pack Up the Pencils, the Papers … and the PIE?!
Social Wellness: Family Bonding Through… Reading?
One recurring theme that I seem to encounter with many of my clients is that they grew up in households where emotions were rarely discussed. Now, as older teens and adults, they are ill-equipped to deal with the strong emotions that come from many of life’s twists and turns. They want to “feel better” and … Continue reading Social Wellness: Family Bonding Through… Reading?
Supporting your LGBTQIA+ Child
First off, let’s be clear about this: you SHOULD be supportive of your LGBTQIA+ child! There is no debate to be had here. According to an article by Katherine Schrelber on Psychology Today, teens who identify as a sexual minority are twice as likely as their heterosexual peers to have suicidal ideation, and they are … Continue reading Supporting your LGBTQIA+ Child
Why We Support PRIDE
“When you hear of Gay Pride, remember, it was not born out of a need to celebrate being gay. It evolved out of our need as human beings to break free of oppression and to exist without being criminalized, pathologized or persecuted. Depending on a number of factors, particularly religion, freeing ourselves from gay shame … Continue reading Why We Support PRIDE
Lions and Tiger (Lilies) and … Mindfulness? Oh My!
In my April 27th blog, I shared 5 keys to practicing mindfulness with your child. For the last key, I mentioned something called a “mindfulness excursion”. A mindfulness excursion is simply a fun trip that includes an element of mindfulness to it to reinforce the idea that mindfulness can and should be a part of … Continue reading Lions and Tiger (Lilies) and … Mindfulness? Oh My!
5 Keys to Practicing Mindfulness with your Child
No doubt about it, mindfulness is one of those concepts that is big in mental health circles these days! Almost any mental health provider you see nowadays will have a handful of mindfulness exercises they have a personal affinity for, and a quick Google search will pull up a plethora of resources for your perusal. … Continue reading 5 Keys to Practicing Mindfulness with your Child
Children don’t need therapy… do they?
It can be a difficult decision to take your child to see a therapist. If you’ve been wondering whether your child or teen could benefit from therapy, then keep reading for some things to keep in mind when considering the mental health of your child. "Do children/teens REALLY need a therapist?" According to the CDC … Continue reading Children don’t need therapy… do they?
Five Things to Know About Chris Williams, Therapist at Heartland Therapy Connection
Hello! My name is Chris Williams, and I am excited to be a part of Heartland Therapy Connection here in Brookside. Here’s just a few things to know about me as a therapist and as a person. It is my passion to help people. First off, I truly love listening to people share about their … Continue reading Five Things to Know About Chris Williams, Therapist at Heartland Therapy Connection
