Love Languages for Kids

Some adults may know of the five love languages in relation to their partner: acts of service, quality time, physical touch, words of affirmation, and receiving gifts. It’s helpful to understand how one expresses love to another. Did you know that love languages are also helpful in parenting? In my work with parents, I often have parents identify what their child’s love language is, so their child’s need for love is met. When a child feels love, then they feel healthy and emotionally stable.

Understanding and Managing Your Lizard Brain

Learning about the lizard brain can help you and the child in your life deescalate during heated moments. As parents, caregivers, and teachers we can wonder why children have a difficult time managing emotions. However, we often forget that they need to be taught. Just as we have taught them to brush their teeth, ride a bike, and conquer new math problems, we also have to teach them strategies to sit with their emotions and use coping strategies when possible.

Children with ASD/ADHD and Video Gaming

It’s the year 2021… we all have screens everywhere. We have our phones, Ipad, TV, and computers. It can be a struggle to get off of them with the bright lights, access to our contacts, social media, etc. Imagine how difficult it would be as a child to have to turn off that type of powerful stimulation. I have these conversations with parents all the time… how do I limit my child’s screen time? Why does it seem my child is addicted to video games? Why does my child become so angry when it’s time to get off the electronics? What is the right amount of screen time? These are all wonderful questions, and there is not one right answer to these questions.

Goodbye 2020. Hello 2021.

Alright, y’all! We made it. I don’t know if anyone else follows those funny memes where people show photos of their slowly declining mood for every month of the year, but I find them incredibly accurate. If I created one of my own, my December photo would probably be me crawling over the finish line with a forced, slightly fearful smile. I would force a smile because there is something refreshing about the New Year that makes me want to believe in new opportunities and positive growth, but the little bit of fear comes from so many unknowns in 2021.

Ten Signs Your Child Needs Child Therapy

Children face many obstacles as they grow such as school challenges, social issues, bullying, life transitions, etc. Each of these can rock one’s world that can lead to heightened anxiety or depression. All too often our child’s wellbeing is only associated with physical health while mental health and anxiety are overlooked. If your child was physically injured or sick, you would bring them to the doctor. If your child was failing a class, you would get them tutoring.

Play Therapy and Child Mental Health

Has your child ever sat down on the couch to discuss their feelings and concerns with you? Most likely, the answer is no. Many children do not have the verbal capability to do so, however, children can communicate their concerns and feelings through play. Play is a child’s language. Children can learn and develop through play, but children can express themselves and relieve anxiety and stress as well.

Bibliotherapy-Family Changes

Bibliotherapy is a creative art therapeutic approach that uses literature to aid in the therapy process. Children’s books can be an excellent clinical tool to support children’s exploration and understanding of their world and life experiences. This is a great tool I often give to parents in order to continue the therapeutic work outside of the office.

Take Me Back to the Good Old Days

I was sitting on the couch with my husband, eating my favorite chips from childhood, and watching a movie from the 80’s, when I asked, “Do you think our kids are regressing during all of this?” I knew the answer. In some ways the regressions were positive: more imaginary play, time away from structured activities lead to more free play, and more independence.

Trauma and the Pandemic

If you have ever experienced a trauma, you are likely struggling during the pandemic. You might be wondering why you are experiencing panic, despair, anxiety, depression, etc. I want to let you know there is a reason you feel this way; your body is trying to protect you.

How to Terminate Therapy

Terminate?! Most things in the therapy world are warm, accepting, and gentle. So why is the word ‘terminate’ thrown out there? For some it sounds kind of harsh. Termination is a fancy word for ending the therapeutic relationship. Termination can also refer to a break in counseling for a period of time as well.

School Readiness Camp-Empathy and Perspective Taking/Teamwork

Welcome to week two of my three-week blog series coving our upcoming School Readiness Camp. This week’s blog will take a closer look at empathy and perspective taking as well as teamwork. Below are links to my two previous blogs.

Summer Counseling Camps Have Arrived!!!

Does your child struggle with back to school jitters? Is your child entering kindergarten next year and unsure of what to expect? Or, would you like your child to freshen up on some skills before returning to school? Heights Family Counseling’s child and adolescent therapists, Rachel Ealy and Kristin Tallackson, are leading a school readiness camp this summer!

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