This is a time I would normally panic; my thoughts would go in a negative spiral, and I would make this about a flaw in my character instead of realizing it was just a bad situation, i.e. “I’m not good enough because I can’t make appointments on time.” Yet, something was different this time; this time I felt intense gratitude. I acknowledged my feelings, “Yup, this kind of sucks,” then I acknowledged there was nothing I can do about it, “my stressing will not magically clear the freeway.” I then did something I tell my clients to do, I took an action that was the opposite of my feeling

Depression TreatmentAmy RolloDecember 7, 2017How to practice gratitude, how to find happiness, Houston Counselor, Counseling in the heights

Coping with Anxiety

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!

Anxiety TreatmentAmy RolloDecember 3, 2017how to help with anxiety, how to treat anxiety, counseling for anxiety, DBT, CBT, Mindfulness, How to cope with anxiety

The Elementary Years- The Surprisingly Challenging Time

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.

Child CounselingAmy RolloNovember 30, 2017how to handle your child's oppositional behaviors, child counselor in houston, child counselor in the heights, Houston child evaluations, Parenting strategies, childhood depression, childhood behavior problems, childhood anxiety, how to handle an oppositional child

Best Version of You?!?

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.

Adult TherapyAmy RolloNovember 29, 2017Defining values, positive psychology, living your authentic life, finding the best version of you, Adult Counseling in Houston, child counseling in the heights

Top 5 Things Your Psychotherapist Probably Has Learned or Thought, but Doesn’t Say

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.

Adult TherapyAmy RolloNovember 27, 2017What does my counselor think, insight from a counselor, Advice from a counselor, Best advice from a counselor, Child counselor in houston, adult counseling in the heights, couples counseling in houston

5 Types of Learning Disabilities You Probably Didn’t Know Existed!

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.

evaluation servicesAmy RolloNovember 25, 2017Evaluations in houston, AD/HD evaluations in Houston, learning disability, learning disorder, Symptoms of nonverbal learning disability, nonverbal learning disability, auditory processing disorder, social communication disorder, developmental psychology, assessments in the heights, assessments in houston

Learning, Growing, and Expressing Through Play

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.

Play TherapyAmy RolloNovember 23, 2017Heights Family counseling, Child Counselor in The Heights, Child Counselor in Houston, how to help with child development, parenting a preschooler, parenting elementary aged, parenting young children, houston counselor

Practicing Gratefulness In-order to Transform Your Life and Brain

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!

Adult TherapyAmy RolloNovember 20, 2017yoga, how to treat depression, how to treat anxiety, Counseling in Houston, Counseling in the heights, Child counseling, teen counseling, adult counseling, journaling, gratefulness

We get ya, parents. We get ya, children.

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.

ADHD CounselingAmy RolloNovember 13, 2017Parenting an AD/HD Child, Parenting a child with special needs, Parenting self-care, Counseling in the heights, child counseling in the heights, adult counseling in the heights, AD/HD evaluations in HoustonComment

Teenage Stress

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.

Teen & Tween CounselingAmy RolloNovember 11, 2017How to help teenagers with stress, Adolescent Counseling, Teenage Counseling, What to do to help your child with stress, Self-harm, Teenage anxiety, Teenage Depression, Family Counseling, Heights Family Counseing

Not Sure How CBT Works? Try a Life Inside a Counselor’s Thoughts

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?

Depression TreatmentAmy RolloNovember 8, 2017CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy, how to find happiness, how does counseling work, how to change your thoughts, CBT in Houston, Houston Counseling, houston heights counseling

How Do You Stop a Tantrum?

“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.

Child CounselingAmy RolloNovember 7, 2017parenting, Parent Consultation, positive reinforcement, positive parenting, how to stop a tantrum, what to do when your child meltsdown, how to handle an oppositional child

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