I’m worried my kid has an eating disorder. How do I bring it up? by Jami Dumler | May 6, 2025 | Ask a Therapist, Children, Teens, & Adolescents You might notice shifts in your child’s eating habits or a sudden fixation on specific body parts. Maybe they’re often scrolling fitness influencers’ profiles, lamenting “perfect” bodies, or pushing to try some new diet that’s alarmingly low in calories for their active growth stage. Sometimes it’s just a gut feeling:…
Understanding the Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Relationships by Evan Csir, LPC | Nov 15, 2024 | Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Mental Health Topics, Relationships Childhood trauma can cast a long shadow over a person’s life, affecting how you connect with others well into adulthood. It can make it difficult to navigate conflict, develop an effective communication style, build trust, and overcome fears of vulnerability. If early traumatic experiences are affecting your adult relationships, it’s…
Golden child syndrome: How does it develop, and what effect does it have? by Theresa Lupcho, LPC | Sep 10, 2024 | Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Mental Health Topics How we’re treated as children, the dynamics of our family, and how we interact with our parents can have a long-lasting impact. When parents expect too much from a child, by giving them adult responsibilities and making their love conditional on fulfilling expectations, their child may develop golden child syndrome….
“I hate my dad”: Why resentment can build between children and fathers, and what to do to repair father-child relationships by Evan Csir, LPC | Mar 22, 2024 | Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Mental Health Topics Fathers are a big part of our lives, as they raise us and teach us about life — both directly and indirectly. There’s a lot to love about our fathers, but they are often also someone with great potential to do us emotional harm. As research shows, having a strong…
“I hate my mom — is that normal?” Common reasons for strained mother/child relationships, and what to do by Theresa Lupcho, LPC | Mar 15, 2024 | Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Mental Health Topics Navigating relationships with parents can be complex and challenging, especially with so many deep, intense feelings involved. Not every mother/child relationship is loving and understanding, and sometimes an understanding can’t be reached, for one reason or another. With all the history between mothers and their children, it can be hard…
Understanding play therapy: The benefits of play therapy for children by Theresa Lupcho, LPC | Feb 23, 2024 | Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Mental Health Topics Therapy can help people of all ages become better attuned to their emotions, process events impacting their well-being, and learn helpful coping skills. However, for young people like children and adolescents, specified approaches might be needed to make sure that the therapeutic process is accessible and effective for them. One…
October is National Bullying Prevention Month: What can you do to help stop bullying? by Jason Crosby | Sep 10, 2023 | Bullying Awareness & Prevention, Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Mental Health Topics From elementary school through high school, many children experience bullying from their classmates every year. Bullying is harmful to all parties and can cause lingering emotional trauma that affects children well into adulthood. In an effort to protect kids and limit bullying’s damaging effects, October has been recognized as National…
What is only child syndrome? by Theresa Lupcho, LPC | Jun 27, 2023 | Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Mental Health Topics, Parenting, Relationships “Only child syndrome” is a popular but controversial term used to describe a set of perceived negative traits or characteristics that are thought to be common among children who grow up without siblings. These traits may include selfishness, loneliness, introversion, difficulty sharing, and an overdeveloped sense of independence. However, it’s…
Dealing with school stress: its causes and how to manage it by Laura Harris, LCMHC | Jun 13, 2023 | Children, Teens, & Adolescents, College, Mental Health Topics, Stress Receiving an education is an important step in the lives of many — it can be both useful and rewarding. However, school is often a cause of stress and anxiety for a large number of students. While it can seem overwhelming, with the right techniques, the stress caused by school…
Do my parents hate me? Help for teens while navigating unhealthy relationships and family-based issues by Theresa Lupcho, LPC | Apr 6, 2023 | Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Family, Parenting As much as we might try, no family is without its share of problems. But for teens who are particularly vulnerable to mistreatment as minors, or who may feel resentful and rebellious as they form their own identities in adolescence, it’s normal to wonder, “Do my parents hate me?” The…
Parents and teachers: Work together to identify learning disorders in kids and help them learn and live well by Alexandra Cromer, LPC | Feb 15, 2023 | Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Disorders, Mental Health Topics Learning disorders usually present in children at a young age. However, that doesn’t always mean that a diagnosis will be made promptly. Often, parents wonder if their child’s delays or behaviors are normal (because what’s normal, anyhow?) or think they’ll “grow out of it.” Fortunately, there are other key figures…
Teen counseling: A comprehensive guide by Jason Crosby | Dec 9, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Mental Health Topics Teen counseling is a form of therapy that helps adolescents deal with tough emotions and situations, mental health conditions, trauma, or concerns related to future, present, or past experiences. Teen counseling is designed to address and treat the specific needs of clients who are going through adolescence, an important developmental…