Written By: Bradley Chamberlin, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY(CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental illness that has risen in popularity since it was first developed in the 1960s (Chand et al., 2023). Since then, CBT has been used to treat a variety of mental disorders, including anxiety disorders. Furthermore, […]
Written By: Jennifer Molina, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program WHEN PEOPLEthink of child abuse, they often picture bruises, harsh words, or sexual violation. These forms of abuse are deeply harmful and life-altering. But what many don’t realize is that neglect can sometimes leave even deeper scars on the brain than physical, sexual, or […]
Written By: Osvaldo Muro, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program FOR TODAY’S TEENS, the digital word is not separate from “real life”. Much of their social experience is shaped by artificial intelligence, particularly the algorithms that decide what shows up in their feeds. Whether it’s TikTok recommendations or Instagram’s “Explore” page, AI is constantly […]
Written By: Connor Freeh, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Addiction Treatment Program WHY HARM REDUCTION?Harm reduction is concerned with keeping people alive. Sobriety is included under the umbrella of harm reduction and for some, is ultimately the goal. Harm reduction understands that substance use is sometimes a long and difficult path to recovery with […]
Written By: Will Fang, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Addiction Treatment Program AS ADOLESCENTSand as individuals emerging into this messy, complicated, yet breathtaking world, teenagers may encounter difficult experiences, heartbreaks, unpleasant realities, rejection, elation, meaningful social connections, and perhaps even peace and freedom. It is not clear if the difficult experiences can be avoided. […]
Written By: Elvie Tomacder, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program MOST YOUNG PEOPLEwill experience a stressful or difficult event in their lifetime. Nearly 90% of U.S. adults report at least one traumatic event (Center for Health Care Strategies, 2024). For some, these experiences rise to the level of trauma – events that overwhelm their […]
Written By: Juanita Ibarra, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program UNLESS YOU’VE LIVED UNDER A ROCKthis past year, you’ve probably heard about K-Pop Demon Hunters from your kids, your co-workers, social media, new outlets, and even your neighbor’s dog. It’s not only Netflix’s most watched movie ever and dominating music charts, it’s also a […]
Written By: Juanita Ibarra, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program HAVE YOU EVER FELTlike you didn’t know what to say to someone who was grieving? Many of us have been there, wanting to help, but unsure how. Grief is one of those universal experiences that connects us all, yet it can feel deeply personal […]
Written By: Taylor Anderson, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program AUTISM IS A HOT BUTTON TOPICin today’s world, and it can often times be challenging to understand what Autism actually is. The scariest part of Autism is when we don’t understand it, so let’s take some time to understand what it is and how […]
REDWOOD CITY, CA – Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS), a nonprofit mental health organization celebrating 50 years of service to communities across Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, announced the appointment of Dr. Douglas Styles as its new Executive Director, effective January 1, 2026. Dr. Styles brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience, with a […]
