Prevalence rates of teen depression and anxiety have risen significantly in recent years. While the causes of the rise remains speculative, many parents are left unsure how to help their struggling teen. First of all, know the signs of teen depression. If you are concerned that your teen may...
“Fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself”- wise words from one of my personal favorite fictional characters, Hermione Granger. While she may have been responding to a wizard’s resistance to speaking the name of the formidable Lord Voldemort, her words carry...
In the Pinterest era of wedding planning, perhaps now more than ever there is pressure and expectation about having the perfect wedding. Each detail is planned, paid for, and photographed, then posted online for all to see. Hours of thought and...
Whether we are cheering on our child’s first steps or taking the bold move of getting in the passenger seat as they learn to drive, parents serve as teachers and coaches for their children. This is especially important as we look at the increasing role technology plays in the lives...
If you’ve been to therapy, you may recall that your therapist will remind you that everything that is said in therapy stays confidential, with a few important exceptions. These are the limits of confidentiality, the areas that your therapist is legally required to break confidentiality and...
We are often our worst critics, judging ourselves more harshly than we would others. It is often easier to extend grace and compassion to friends and family than it is to ourselves. The messages we tell ourselves often perpetuate lies that root from shame, our negative core beliefs. Things like...
Shame & guilt are universal emotions that we have all experienced. The best way to distinguish between guilt & shame is this -- guilt says “Woops, I did something wrong, I did something bad.” Shame says “I am bad, there is something wrong with me.” Small...
As you sit amongst the crowded room of people watching their various interactions, you begin to hear more and more clearly the phrase of your internal narrator echo the statement internally, “I don’t feel like I belong here.” Despite your best intentions, the search for a sense...
Recently my church community has been focusing on forgiveness - what does it mean that we are forgiven and what does it look like to be a forgiving people? It’s a challenging process, and one that’s been rattling around in my head quite a bit recently. Forgiveness has often been...
Play therapy utilizes play, a child’s natural mode of expression, to help them express their feelings through toys and games instead of words. Play therapy includes activities such as puppet play, role-play, sand tray, and creating artwork. Gary Landreth, one of the leading pioneers...
