How to Talk to Your Child About Suicide and Self-Harm

Written By: Holly Fitch, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Outlet Program TALKING ABOUT SUICIDEand self-harm may be intimidating, but it is a crucial conversation to have with your child. Both suicide and self-harm are becoming increasingly common for children and adolescents. The goal of these conversations is to be open and understanding, while also taking steps […]

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Simple Tips for Giving Clear Instructions

Written By: Christina Desage, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTIONS are the foundation of positive communication between parents and children, fostering understanding and cooperation. When instructions are clear, concise, and delivered with a calm and respectful tone, children are more likely to grasp and act on them. This clarity not only enhances […]

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Mindfulness and Behavior

Written By: Christy Goralnik, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program MINDFULNESS ISoften discussed on social media or in popular literature and has been attached to everything from yoga to meditation. Support for mindfulness abounds in scientific literature, and recent research promotes the impact that mindfulness-based interventions have on behavior change. The simple act of […]

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Navigating Mental Health Challenges as a First-Generation Student

Written By: Dania Coreas Zamora, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program IF YOU ARE THEfirst person in your family to be born in this country and are the first person to be able to attend college, then you may have heard of the term “first generation”. For many different cultural communities, being a first-generation […]

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Supporting your Child with ADHD

Written By: Michelle Murphy, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program AS A PARENT it’s not easy to understand how your child or teen is experiencing ADHD. What are the visual and auditory sensations accompanying the disorder? What is contributing to their lack motivation and focus to complete a task?  This 6 minute film, gives […]

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Mindful Parenting: Responding to Your Child’s Big Feelings

Written By: Teagan Novick, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program WHEN YOUR CHILDexpresses big feelings, there are several ways in which a parent can respond. A helpful tool when learning to recognize and respond to a child’s distress can be mindful parenting. Practicing mindful parenting consists of five key elements: awareness, attention, nonjudgmental acceptance, […]

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Fostering Emotional Intelligence in Children

Written By: Daniel Stepanian, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCEis a vital interpersonal skill for both children and adults. It is the ability to name, understand, and manage our own emotions, as well as identify the emotions of those around us. High emotional intelligence helps kids navigate their ever-changing social environment and […]

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Parental Control Apps: Ensuring Online Safety or Eroding Trust?

Written By: Noosha Nafarzadegan, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program WITH THE EVER-INCREASINGprevalence of smartphones among teens and pre-teens, parents often turn to parental control mobile applications (apps) to protect their children from online risks. These apps can block, filter, and monitor a wide range of online activities, providing parents with the tools to […]

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How to Recognize a Child in Crisis and Intervene Appropriately

Written By: Andrew Cecil, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Addiction Treatment Program IT IS COMMONfor parents to feel concerned about their child’s well-being when they notice things like poor academic performance, substance use, and unhealthy relationships. However, few parents are as familiar with the behavioral signs of a crisis. A crisis refers to a […]

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Irritated or Debilitated: Helping your Teen Identify their Depression

Written By: Brett Trace, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Outlet Program If You’rea parent of a teen or someone who works with teens, odds are you’ve encountered teenage irritability. What may have felt like an easygoing, straightforward comment might cause your teen to become angry or withdraw from the conversation. Friends that they’ve had for a […]

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