When people hear the phrase “Eating Disorder”, the more common disorders like anorexia and bulimia come to mind. However, there are actually a number of other types of eating disorders that are not as well known—but just as dangerous. One such type is ARFID, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. ARFID is more than just “picky eating”—it negatively impacts a person’s weight, harms his or her growth, or interferes with someone’s daily tasks. As a result of the severe eating problem, the person may not be able to get enough nutrition through his or her diet. Let’s learn more about ARFID, how it differs from picky eating, and how therapy can help those with ARFID…
Do your children have trouble falling or staying asleep? Do your kids feel sleepy during the day? It doesn’t matter your age—if you don’t get enough quality sleep, you are more likely to feel tired as you go about your day. That’s why it’s important to practice good sleep hygiene. “Sleep hygiene” refers to good sleep habits. Parents should aim to establish healthy sleep habits for their children, especially since children require additional sleep for their growth and development. Healthy, quality sleep is important for your children’s physical and mental health; in can improve their mood, productivity, and alertness. Don’t worry—just like eating well, being active, and doing homework, good sleep habits can become part of your routine. Here are some tips to help your children feel more restful, agreeable, and ready to confront the many challenges of the day…
Emotions play a crucial role in our lives, as they serve a wide variety of purposes. They guide us through stressful situations and help us connect with others in friendships and relationships. Emotions can be fleeting, powerful, complex, persistent, and even life-changing. They motivate us to act in particular ways and give us the tools and resources we need to interact meaningfully in our social worlds. At the same time, emotions can be difficult to understand. Some people struggle with the complexity of their feelings, and many people may prefer not to have to experience them at all. Life would be easier if we didn't have to undergo the ups and downs that emotions play in our lives. So why are they so important?
Are you worried about your middle school student? In middle school, our children grow and change in almost every aspect. You may notice maturity in your child’s physical development, cognitive skills, social abilities, and/or emotional development. Or, you may notice that your child is lacking in one or more of these areas. There is not a specific timeline of milestones that your child must follow. Every pre-teen and teen develops at his or her own pace. With so much variation in maturity in middle school, it can be hard to tell if your child is on track or if he or she is struggling to keep up. Are you unsure about what’s typical and what’s cause for concern? Let’s learn about the usual milestones and use it as a guide for what to expect…
We all feel overwhelmed from time to time. We may feel panicked when running late for an important meeting at work. We may feel stressed when studying for a major test tomorrow. Certain situations, or the combination of many things to do at once, can make anyone feel overwhelmed. When we get stuck in overwhelming feelings of anxiety, mindfulness skills can help bring us into the present moment. Mindfulness helps us feel more calm, composed, and grounded. Here’s how it works…
It is not uncommon for parents of kids with unpredictable, frequently changing, or intense emotions to struggle with their own emotions when making parenting decisions. Parents tend to get caught in the trap of “extreme” or “black and white” parenting decisions—for example, either being too loose or too strict with rules. There are so many factors involved in making parenting decisions that it isn’t fitting to choose one extreme or the other. Parenting is all about balance—and so is DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy. When you are dialectical, you are able to find balance, like the balance between acceptance and change. Interested in learning more about DBT? This is how you can adopt a dialectical approach in order to make parenting a bit easier…
Sometimes, we feel “stuck” when trying to make healthy changes in our lives. We want to change for the better, yet there’s something holding us back. It’s possible that past traumatic experiences are still affecting us. In fact, just thinking about it might bring us back to the moment as if we’re reliving it, not only remembering it. The events could have occurred long ago, yet they continue to play a role in our daily thoughts, feelings, and behaviors—whether we realize it or not. What can you do to deal with the memories more calmly? One treatment is EMDR, a form of therapy proven effective in helping people cope with trauma. Once you are able to process traumatic experiences, you can free yourself from what’s holding you back and make a change for the better. Let’s learn more about EMDR and how it works…
We face stressful situations on a daily basis. Starting a new school year, flying on an airplane, taking a test, maneuvering through rush hour traffic, and meeting tight office deadlines are all anxiety-provoking. Anxiety is a typical emotion that we all feel—in fact, it’s healthy in doses. However, if you regularly feel anxious and anxiety starts to prevent you from your daily activities, it may be a sign of something more serious like an anxiety disorder. How can you recognize symptoms of anxiety and better manage it? Here are some helpful tips…
No one likes starting his or her family’s day on the wrong foot. After a morning gone terribly wrong, all parents will feel a pang of guilt over leaving their child upset at school or day care. It’s understandably difficult when nobody in your house is a morning person and there’s never enough time to prepare ahead the night before. Are you tired of your stress level going through the roof? There are ways to make the morning routine more manageable—and maybe even stress-free. Here are some tips to make mornings smoother for the entire family…
Can you believe that summer is ending already? Even just thinking about the first day of school can bring on a sinking feeling for students and parents alike. We’ve grown so accustomed to late nights with the family and worry-free summer days that it’s no wonder we’re dreading the school year routine. Between new classes, new teachers, and maybe even a new school, all of the unknowns can be daunting. Luckily, there are ways to smooth the transition back to school. Here are some tips to ease your family back into the swing of things…
Parenting can be a struggle sometimes. When your young child is misbehaving, or your teenager’s behavior is out of control, you may naturally feel frustrated, concerned, and unsure of how to respond. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, there are ways to decrease stress (for parents and kids) and help your children grow. One option is conscious parenting. Conscious parenting is a mindful, parent-focused approach to parenting. It essentially says that in order to help our children, we must first help ourselves. For example, when your children act up, conscious parenting encourages you to think about your response and your state of mind before you react. Are you going to act on impulse or respond from a place of calm? Let’s learn more about how to be a conscious parent…
Think back to a time when you were afraid. What was happening at the time? What made you feel fearful? When you felt fear, how did you respond? Did you take control of your fear, or did you let it hold you back? Fear works like any other emotion. Everyone deals with fear—it’s a natural part of being human. While we can’t avoid fear, we can learn to cope with it. Fear has a tendency to paralyze us, and to make us feel like we’re incapable of doing something simply because we are afraid of what might happen. The problem with fear is that it can prevent us from trying new things, growing as individuals, and reaching our goals. So what can you do to manage your fears? Here are some helpful tips…
Being a parent isn’t easy, no matter if your children are very young or they’re young adults. Many parents struggle to find a balance between work and family. Parents wonder if they should take more vacation days, if they should be a stay-at-home-parent, or if they should take on a job that involves a great deal of traveling. When it comes to parenting, there isn’t a right or wrong answer. You’ll likely get a different opinion from every person you ask. So how do you figure out the right way to balance work and family life? The answer to the question is unique to you and your family's needs. Here are some tips help you decide what is best for your family…
We all face our own unique challenges, tough times, and heartache. There are various ways to deal with life’s obstacles, and one of them is DBT skills therapy. Sometimes, the decision to seek therapy is an easy one and sometimes, it takes years to reach out for support. Whether you’re considering DBT or you’re currently in DBT therapy, you should know that the process involves more than just showing up and listening. If you want to get the most out of DBT skills therapy, we’ve got some insider advice for you! Read more…
Looking for a chance to de-stress and take a break from your digital life? Why not unplug while you unwind on vacation? Phones, tablets, and laptops tend to stress us out with endless work emails, constant notifications, and comparisons to people’s “perfect” lives on social media. Vacation is your opportunity to relax and enjoy new experiences, so it makes sense to unplug while you’re away. When you disconnect, you’re able to avoid digital distractions and focus on the experience. You’re able to be fully present in the moment, to take it all in, and enjoy your trip. Whether you want to take a phone-free vacation or simply limit your phone usage, here are some tips to make the most of your vacation...
No matter what age your children are, parenting isn’t easy. As parents, we’re so focused on getting everything done that we forget to be present. We’re going through the motions of daily experiences without actually being there. What can we do to enjoy more moments with our families? We can practice mindful parenting. When you practice mindful parenting, you can be present in the moment, pay attention without assigning a feeling, and learn to accept your thoughts and feelings without judgement. Mindfulness practice starts with the “What” and “How” skills. Let’s learn about these skills and apply them to common situations parents face…
Have you ever felt as though your emotions were quickly spiraling out of control? During distressing moments, you may be unsure of how to regulate yourself again. If you’re looking for a better way to deal with crises, the self-soothe skill could work for you! It’s all about using our six senses to nurture ourselves and cope with distress. By practicing self care using the self-soothe skill, we learn to better tolerate overwhelming events. We can use vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and movement to lower our distress and feel more relaxed. Here are some ideas to self-soothe…
Sometimes, life can be challenging. It’s not easy to keep our emotions in check during distressing times. We may have trouble communicating with others and may unintentionally cause conflicts. We might feel like we’re on an emotional roller coaster without any control of where we’re headed. What can you do if you’re feeling this way? Try DBT! Let’s learn more about DBT, as well as how it can help you manage your emotions and create a life worth living…
Volunteering is a gift to yourself, to your family, and to others. It’s a great way to engage with your community and practice your mindfulness skills. It’s also quite a fulfilling experience for everyone, no matter your age or background. Have you ever considered volunteering as a family activity? It may not be your typical weekend or summer activity, but it can be a fun and rewarding experience for the entire family. What are the benefits of volunteering as a family? Let’s find out…
Everyone feels and expresses their anger from time to time. It’s natural to feel angry or frustrated. Anger is an intense emotion that can be difficult for children, as well as many adults, to deal with. Sometimes anger becomes overwhelming, making us feel like our emotions are out of our control. Therefore, it’s not surprising that anger is a challenging emotion for children. Does your child struggle to manage anger in healthy ways? Does he or she get angered easily or frequently feel frustrated? Here are some strategies to help you support your child with anger…
