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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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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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 […]

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Teen Pregnancy

Written By: Ruby Ortiz, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program ONE OF THE MOSTtransformative experiences that anyone can encounter in their lifetime is going through a pregnancy. Individuals go through a significant amount of physical, emotional, and psychological changes during this period in their life. It doesn’t only include the body changing throughout each […]

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Teen Dating: 5 Tips for Parents

Written By: Wendy Ortiz-Rodriguez, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program There comes a timein an adolescent’s development when friends turn into crushes and crushes turn into potential dating relationships. Dating can be tricky at any age in development, therefore it is worth having a conversation about this topic with your teen to guide them […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Youth Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What You Can Do

Written By: Patricia H. Scherer, MS, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program The COVID-19 pandemichas been raising concerns about mental health around the globe. Research indicates that since the onset of the pandemic, psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety and depression, have been rising in the general population. However, adolescents during the pandemic experience […]

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Social Media & Self-Confidence

Written By: Wendy Ortiz-Rodriguez, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program SOCIAL MEDIAhas become popular over the years and it has become one of the main sources for communication and entertainment. As much as we love to scroll through our electronic devices and keep up with our favorite role models, friends, family and so much […]

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