Author: Chris Williams

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?

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?

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?!

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?

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