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, […]

Read More

The Impact of Academic Pressure and Stress on Mental Health

Written By: Julia Albro, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program ACADEMIC PRESSUREacademic stress are two constructs that heavily apply to the child and adolescent population. They are ones that are not often discussed, with implications that can be physically, emotionally, and mentally harmful for those experiencing them. With the increase in youth’s feelings of […]

Read More

What Should I Do When I Grow Up?

Written By: Chandler Cole, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program It’s a big question,and a lot of young people have the same worries about what they should do as a future career path, what they should study in college, or if they even want to go to college. “What if I don’t like what […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

Supporting Teens on Social Media

Written By: Michael Burks, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program TECHNOLOGYand social media play complex roles in the lives of teenagers. Teens are at a developmental stage where social relationships have foremost importance in their lives. Social relationships and group memberships contribute to identity formation and self-esteem. Social media has tremendous value to teens. […]

Read More

The Psychological Benefits of Exercise

Written By: Madeline Lee, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program EXERCISEhas many benefits beyond the improvement and maintenance of one’s physical health. Exercise can also act as a mental health tool or healthy coping method in that it can help improve mood, self-esteem, and work performance (Kunce & Wilfley, 1986) among other benefits. There […]

Read More

Adolescence and Suicide

Written By: Dylan Lockey, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program For many, adolescenceis a period of intense change, be it physical, emotional, social, and cognitive. It can be simultaneously filled with the highs of endless possibilities and excitement over the future, and the low periods of doubt, frustration, anxiety, and intense stress. It is […]

Read More

First-Generation American Teens

Written By: Patricia H. Scherer, MS, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program Growing up the child of immigrants can have numerous advantages for some individuals. Immigrant parents from many cultures, including LatinX, Asian, and Eastern European backgrounds, emphasize the importance of family, collectivistic values, and cultural and religious heritage, all of which can buffer […]

Read More

Sleep Hygiene

Written By: Andrea Delariyala, Program Coordinator at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program A good night’s sleep is important for all of us, but can be particularly crucial for teens since their bodies and brains are going through significant development. Teens typically need between 8-10 hours of sleep a night, and for most teens, 9 hours is […]

Read More