Anxiety is one of those things where simply being alive means you experience it. My dog even has a script for Xanax at the pharmacy for those really bad stormy nights!
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We all know about the “terrible 2’s”, “threenagers,” and the “teenage angst years!” Parents expect difficulties during these stages. They have prepared that their child will be establishing independence, which means hearing words, such as “I do it,” “no!,” or “whatever!” As a child counselor, I witness another stage that many parents have not prepared for. It is the elementary years.
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I was taking an online spin class this evening, and the instructor yelled “be the best version of you!” Being the counselor that I am, I immediately drifted off into “what the heck is the best version of me?” After sweating for another 20 minutes, cursing at the onscreen instructor for making me work more than I was wanting tonight, and then feeling the endorphins kick in, I realized what my best version was.
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15 years later, and I have much more clarity into my counseling role, people’s strength and resiliency, and the field of counseling. I realized that I am not the agent for change, but instead am here to provide support, guidance, and unconditional acceptance along the way. You see, I learned that people are incredibly strong and insightful.
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One of the most common questions I get asked about an evaluation is, “can you evaluate for just (fill in the blank).” On occasion, I’ll happily reduce the evaluation time and just assess for the specific disorder that was requested. However, there are so many diagnoses that can impact emotional, behavioral, social, and academic functioning that many people have never heard of.
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I’m quite sure my daughter and I were quite the sight at the park today. I believe my daughter was wearing her big brother’s sweater, dinosaur pants, and wild hair- she dressed herself. You see, two year olds with an independent spirit, grow up to be adults with an independent spirit.
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I recently attended a fascinating conference discussing the neuroplasticity of the brain. Ok, I know, things suddenly got boring when I tossed around the big fancy medical term. However, despite the boring medical term, the concept was pretty interesting!
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Tonight I was asked to do a talk on Developmental Coordination Disorders and the impact on academics, behavior, and emotional functioning at an ADDA-SR Parent Support Group. I love talking all things to do with learning disabilities, AD/HD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, etc.
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Teenagers are dealing with more stress and anxiety than ever before. Yes, this has been said before, but as a counselor who specializes in working with adolescents, I can confirm that teen stress appears higher than it was a decade ago.
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When I talk to my clients about cognitive reframing, thought stopping, mindfulness, and intentional acts of positivity, I sometimes get questions of “but how does this really work?
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“How do you stop a tantrum?” I feel like Google probably responds to this question a million times a day. As a counselor who often works with children, working on behavioral and emotional regulation is often the number one goal of treatment.
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If I said the words “magic ratio” or “5 to 1” would you instantly know what I was referring to? For most, the answer is no. However, us marriage counselors, this ratio means something important. In fact, it is a clue or formula to how to have a happy marriage/relationship.
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