therapy Archives - Page 2 of 2

Tag: therapy

The Do’s and Don’t’s of Supporting Your Child Through Their Therapeutic Process

Posted on March 7, 2024July 9, 2024 by hopehealchange

Providing therapy for kids and adolescents is something I look forward to everyday that I come into the office. Sadly, many therapists miss out on that opportunity. If many therapists are being open and honest, a part of the reason they turn away minors is because they don't want to have to manage the parent(s) on the side. However, I find that just about every parent is great at letting me do my job as long as we establish the boundaries and expectations of their child being in therapy with me. They are more concerned with supporting their child during therapy. Many parents ask me, "What should I ask after session?" or "Should I say anything at all about the therapy?" It can be a helpless position--Investing money into the process and then having to be a bit in the dark for a stretch of time. The good news--you'll eventually get feedback in regards to the case and we always begin the process with a parent meeting. But waiting for the feedback requires patience and trust. A parent needs Read more [...]

Being a Teen in 2024: How to Understand and Start Helping our Teens

Posted on January 11, 2024July 9, 2024 by hopehealchange

The young generation has it tough in a variety of ways. While I could spend the next 5,000 words explaining why, I’ll temper my explanation down to a small vent session. Then, I’ll provide some brief details on how we are helping teens and preteens at our practice before finally giving some communication tips and tricks for home. Helping Teens Then... It’s 1998. It’s not going well with your girlfriend. After school, the two of you meet by the bleachers and you make a really hard decision — “It’s not you, it’s me.” You break up, you cry, your parents hopefully rub your back that night and tell you it’s going to be okay. You dodge school for a day telling your mom that you have a horrible headache in the morning and maybe she lets you stay home or maybe you grew up in one of those households where you were going to school unless the spiritual leader was reading your last rites. Eventually, you face the awkwardness of having to still be in math class together. Read more [...]

Seven Strategies to a Successful Sober Holiday

Posted on November 21, 2023July 9, 2024 by hopehealchange

The smell of turkey in the oven and the roar of the football game on TV. The twinkly lights on the trees and the anticipation of grandparents coming to visit. Ah yes, the holiday season is arriving. For most it’s a time of joy, love, laughter, and the sharing of embarrassing family stories around the dinner table. However, for those in recovery, it’s possibly a time of anxiety, dread, fear, overthinking, isolation, and avoidance. Whether this is the first holiday in sobriety or the thirtieth, it's a time to be cautious. The holidays are the few months of the year where triggers, cravings, and relapse are at their highest. First, if you are clean and sober, I want to congratulate you! You are one of the few who has managed to overcome the cunning, baffling, and powerful disease of addiction. 1 day, 30 days, 1 year, or 40+ years - any amount of time is to be celebrated and acknowledged. Why is maintaining sobriety so challenging over the holidays and what are some strategies Read more [...]

When It Might Be Time to Seek Counseling

Posted on February 22, 2020July 8, 2024 by hopehealchange

There is nothing wrong with seeking counseling. When we go the gym, we are praised for taking the initiative to work on our fitness. When we are physically injured, we are advised to take the necessary steps to heal-- rest, ice, heat, stretch, etc. Yet, when we are struggling with an emotional or mental health issue, we feel funny about telling people. Ironically, a battle with a mental health concern can cause some serious physical manifestations. It's almost inexplicable how little we have valued our mental health as a society throughout...well...ever! It's not until recently that people in the community, including celebrities and athletes, are having serious discussions about mental health. But how do I know if I should seek counseling? One of the first questions I ask a new client is: "Have you ever been in counseling before?" Regardless of a "yes" or "no" response, I follow it up with my next question. "How long have you been thinking about getting in to talk to somebody?"To Read more [...]