ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training | Adolescent Counseling Services

Practicing Self-Compassion

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Intern / Mental Health / Perfectionism / Self care by Adolescent Counseling Services March 31, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Elaina Vielbaum, Clinical Intern at ACS, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program rooted in buddhistphilosophy and psychology, the construct of self-compassion is considered to be a just as vital to feel as it is with other feelings (Neff, 2003). Similarly, to the definition of compassion, self-compassion encompasses the same qualities as compassion for others, […]

So You’ve Been Invited to Have a Family Session with Your Teen… An Attachment-Based Approach

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Family Bullying / Intern / Mental Health / Parent Tips / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting by Adolescent Counseling Services March 17, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Jaimie Sandlin, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program and Community Counseling Program family sessionscan be tense, but the expected outcome is that you all emerge stronger together. When your teen’s therapist asks you, their caregiver, to join them for a session, it can be nerve-wracking. You might feel defensive. You might feel […]

Asexuality: An Explainer

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / LGBTQ Issues / Mental Health / Mental Health / Relationships / Sexuality / Society Norms by Adolescent Counseling Services February 17, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Tucker Chopp, Clinical Intern at ACS, Outlet Program what is asexuality? Broadly speaking, it refers to folks who do not experience sexual attraction to others. “Asexual” or “Ace” is often used as an umbrella term to refer to people who consider themselves to be included in the asexual community. A lack of sexual […]

An Athlete’s Toughest Competitor…

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anxiety / Depression / Disorders / Mental Health / Perfectionism / Stress by Adolescent Counseling Services February 3, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Grant Robinson, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program what would you say is an athlete’s toughest competitor? Their opponent? The playing field? The other side’s coaches or parents? What about an athlete’s own body and mind? There are so many different opponents that an athlete has to deal with on a daily […]

Practicing Mindfulness

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anger Management / Mental Health / Parent Tips / Self care / Stress Management / Teaching Mindfulness / Teen Motivation by Adolescent Counseling Services January 27, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Anna Fitch, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program what is mindfulness? Over the past three decades, a movement of mindfulness-based positive psychology has taken the field by storm. As a result, mindfulness has become commonplace within the vernacular of modern-day society. While well-intentioned, mindfulness has become somewhat of a cultural commodity, leading […]

Active Listening Skills to Communicate with Your Child

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Parent Tips / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting by Adolescent Counseling Services January 20, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Wen Soon, Clinical Intern at ACS, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program communication is often one of the most important skills people are taught. We hear it from other parents, teachers, and the media as the one panacea to any problems we have in the family. Think about the last time you communicated with […]

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth during the Holidays

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Family Bullying / Intern / LGBTQ Issues / Mental Health / Mental Health / Parenting / Teen self-esteem by Adolescent Counseling Services December 23, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Nat Bricker, Clinical Intern at ACS, Outlet Program for many individuals, the winter holidays can bring a variety of different emotions, from overall positivity and joy, to significant stress. The emotional well-being of LGBTQ+ youth during the holidays is particularly impacted by family dynamics and levels of family acceptance. It is important for […]

Reconnecting the Mind and Body After Trauma: A Somatic Approach

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anxiety / Mental Health / Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by Adolescent Counseling Services December 16, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Jaimie Sandlin, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program trauma is commonly “stored as sensory perceptions, dysregulated arousal, and behavioral enactments” and stored unconsciously and away from a cognitive state (Ogden, Goldstein, and Fisher, 2012). There is a disconnect between the body and mind. Given this, trauma can be difficult to navigate, as […]

Adolescent Substance Use: How and When to Talk to Your Teen

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Alcoholism / Drinking / Drugs & Alcohol / Intern / Marijuana / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Prevention / Setting Boundaries / Smoking / Teenage Smoking / Vaping by Adolescent Counseling Services November 25, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Kenzie Bohnsack, Clinical PhD Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program as children emerge into their teenage years, parents may begin to worry about their adolescent’s use of substances, such as alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other drugs. Substance use is often initiated and quite common during adolescence. Alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco are […]

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth through Political Uncertainty

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anxiety / Intern / LGBTQ Issues / LGBTQ rights / LGBTQ youth of color / Mental Health / Mental Health / Self care / Stress / Stress Management by Adolescent Counseling Services November 18, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Nat Bricker, Clinical Intern at ACS, Outlet Program THE RECENT ELECTIONS in November 2020 were accompanied by significant stressors for many people. These stressors were particularly salient for individuals holding minoritized identities whose rights hang in the balance. In particular, there have been a number of recent anti-LGBTQ+ policies enacted and proposed, so, […]