Written By: Robyn Fredericksen, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Outlet Program WHETHER YOU AREa caregiver or not, witnessing a child in pain is a heart wrenching experience. There is a profound and inherent sense of helplessness when a child complains about illness, pain, and discomfort. My parents recall my complaints of pain beginning around age 4, […]
Written By: Sapna Singh, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program HAVE YOU NOTICEDhow your breathing pattern changes when you’re experiencing stress, pain, or feeling anxious and agitated? Have you been told “to take a deep breath?” While breathing is an involuntary activity controlled by our autonomic nervous system and takes place without any active […]
Written By: Tracy Kraft, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program IN TODAY’S DIGITAL WORLD,social media has become a vital tool for teenagers to connect with their peers, share their experiences, and express themselves. While it offers benefits such as social support and online companionship, research increasingly shows that social media can contribute to mental […]
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, […]
Written By: Connor Freeh, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Addiction Treatment Program WHAT IS HARM REDUCTION?Harm reduction in substance addiction treatment is primarily focused on keeping young adults alive. This is achieved through various means that also include abstinence as the ultimate goal. The pathway toward recovery can be long, with several different routes, […]
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 […]
Written By: Sarah Hulscher, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program NEARLY EVERYcoming-of-age movie involves a scene with a teen protagonist listening to some of their favorite music way too loud. Often, these favorite songs aren’t appreciated by the parents of the aforementioned main character. The classic phrase of “turn that racket off” has been […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
