At the Clarity Group, our therapists are actively engaging with the online community, often being published by well known blogs and online magazines, to instill hope and inspiration for those asking life’s toughest questions. If you have an article topic you would like to see one of the therapist’s write on, please contact wherrmann@claritygroup.org with ideas.
We've all been there. Enduring conflict with a spouse, a friend, or family member where we tried to express ourselves and it didn't go as planned. Maybe we won an argument, but the win was at the expense of the other. Maybe we feel like expressing anger for the sake of release and venting. Or possibly we prefer to say nothing, laugh it off, avoid or ignore the person or situation, or end the relationship.
Hearing the word “suicide” can evoke immediate feelings of fear, shock, tragedy, sadness, grief and thoughts of “What do I say?!”
It’s October—the leaves are starting to change, the air is a bit crisper, the daylight hours are waning, and your child or teen is starting to exhibit signs of stress. This time of year is when I have noticed an influx of parents bringing their children and teenagers to counseling—they have settled into a new school year; summer is a distant memory; and school work, social stress, and family life are getting busier and busier!
New Year’s Day is a time to finally stop and reflect after the intense and fast paced holiday season. It is the beginning of winter, a time for the earth to rest and draw inward.
You know it is time. Your child’s behavior has now reached a point where they would benefit from bringing in outside help.
Self-esteem: we know it is foundational to children’s well-being and yet it is elusive at best to understand how to nurture it within the kids we love.
I promise you this seemingly simple skill will work with any child age 2 through teenager and in my profession as a child and family therapist, we rarely make promises! If you’re looking to strengthen your bond, relationship, trust, and approachability—this is key. If you’re looking to teach emotions, empathy, and respect—this is a crucial developmental building block. Validation. Validation is the single best skill a parent can learn to do with their child.