ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training | Adolescent Counseling Services

Autonomy in Adolescents

in Helicopter Parenting / Mental Health / Parent Tips / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Setting Boundaries / Teen Privacy by Adolescent Counseling Services May 5, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Kenzie Bohnsack, Clinical Intern at ACS, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program A desire forautonomy is experienced at two critical stages in life, toddlerhood and adolescence. Autonomy can be defined as feeling, behaving, and thinking independently, a sense of self-governance or freedom to make choices. During adolescence, youth begin to separate from their parents […]

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 […]

Boundaries – For You AND Your Teen

in Mental Health / Parent Tips / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Setting Boundaries by Adolescent Counseling Services March 10, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Elizabeth Rivera, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program and Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program “Your no makes the way for your yes. Boundaries create the container within which your yes is authentic. Being able to say no makes yes a choice.” ― Adrienne Maree Brown, Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good […]

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 […]

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, […]