You may have heard that the brain doesn’t reach full maturity until we hit our mid to latetwenties. But what about the incredible journey of brain development leading up to that point?How do these stages unfold, what do they really entail, and how does this relate to...
Technology is an inextricable part of our lives. So how do we model and set limits around meaningful technology use for our children? The American Academy of Pediatrics provides screen time limits based on age. Here, I’ll elaborate on wise ways related to what and...
Black History Month is here! Ann Meehan with Meehan Mental Health created this wonderful list of ideas on how to celebrate February to honor Black History:The first of February kicked off a month where we celebrate the achievements, contributions, and greatness of...
September honors lives lost by suicide, those struggling with suicidal thoughts, and communities impacted by suicide. Suicidal Ideation or “Flipped Lid”? Young children often make concerning comments when upset such as “I hate my life,” or...
Play therapists know the value of play but not all play is created equal. There is one type of play, one that is in rapid decline in our country, that stands above the rest as a means of fortifying children with non-cognitive and protective skills needed for social,...
Let’s talk about the Summer Scaries. Taking a kids-eye-view the last two weeks of school are filled with fun times and parties, the teacher and kids you’ve been with for the past 9 months bid you farewell and now it’s time for the big unknown. SUMMER CAMP. It’s...
Summer can be filled with a lot of joy, excitement and fun! But the transition from a rigid school routine to a flexible summer may be met with some resistance. Expect kids to express and experience: Stress Anxiety towards a new routine Grief of ending...
Anxiety is an illness of “What Ifs”. It’s different from fear which is often based on specific danger. Anxiety is more general. It is a feeling of persistent worry, often about predictable themes within a child’s life. Anxiety works in a cycle. It is self...
A Review by Shawna Nelson, our Graduate Student Intern The Explosive Child, written by psychologist Dr. Ross Greene is a guide for parents of children who are inflexible, easily frustrated, angered, and triggered in especially intense ways. These children will often...
What is so special about play therapy? How is it possible that a room full of toys and an adult can create meaningful change? Firstly, we don’t have just any toys. We choose toys that facilitate expression and understanding. We create an environment with...
