Many children experience anxiety from time to time In fact, there is evidence to suggest that the number of children with anxiety disorders continues to increase over time, as well as the intensity of anxiety symptoms. Many things contribute to the stress children experience today. Our culture demands more time and energy from both children […]
What is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)? Trauma-Focused CBT is relationship-based. Your therapist will get to know you and your child, and work with you to feel better. Children and their parents attend sessions together. Also, it uses trauma-sensitive therapy along with with cognitive behavioral, family, and humanistic work. Importantly, the focus is to help […]
Bullying awareness is important. Recent studies have found that between 10%-50% of children are bullied on a regular basis at school, most commonly between the grades of six and ten. An online study of 50,000 teenagers by dosomething.org found that 80% of teenagers witness bullying daily. Even when children are bystanders to aggression, they often […]
Dr. Anderson and Hope Springs Behavioral Consultants were recently feature on Fox News Channel 2 KGAN Cedar Rapids, providing an expert opinion on how to help children process tragedies on the news. The psychologists at Hope Springs have provided expert interviews to the Iowa City Press Citizen, and the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
Mathematics is often thought of as a subject that a student either understands or doesn’t, with little in between. In reality, mathematics encompasses a wide variety of skills and concepts….. Challenges with learning can be very difficult for a child. But, they don’t have to reflect catastrophe or a life-long battle with success. In fact many of the world’s most talented people have struggled with some type of learning issue. The main goal is to keep going, reach out for help, and learn about yourself in the process.
Most parents want nothing more for their children than to be happy and to succeed in life. Parents often spend a lot of time and money to help children in school become strong students. Teachers and schools emphasize grades and test scores as indices of how your child is doing, and even your child’s potential. Many people feel that children need to be intelligent or have good grades to become successful in life. The truth is, however, that there may be something more important than academics that we should be teaching our children.
Separation and divorce are very difficult times for families. In fact, other than death, researchers have ranked it one of the most stressful things that people can go through. Many times, in divorce, people can be hurt, angry, and distrustful of their ex-spouse. Often they have to deal with the loss of income, change in residence, and even loss of friends. They may feel a sense of guilt or shame regarding their marriage, and their inability to make it work. They may have to find a way to handle their ex-partner treating them disrespectfully. These concerns are further amplified when you have children.
Last week in Iowa City, there was a community experience of violence. Episodes of horrible violence also happened in other places, such as South Carolina. Community violence is something that many of us will experience. Recent research suggests that 39-94% of children will witness an episode of violence in their community at some point in their childhood.
When community tragedies happen, they can feel downright terrifying, especially so close to home. Traumas can have lasting effects for communities, children, and families. They increase our fears, and decrease our feelings of safety. These effects are particularly pronounced if we were present or directly involved with the victims.
It can be very difficult to talk to children about suicide Suicide is often very confusing and difficult for children and adults to understand. Many adults have mixed reactions, often questioning spiritual truths, models of mental illness, and issues of choice. Many survivors of suicide report a combination of feelings, from anger, anxiety, disbelief, and […]
Behold, the SUN! With the sun shining so gloriously today, particularly after a rainy Midwest spring, many of us will be coaxed by its inviting rays away from our televisions and computers into the great outdoors…aka the backyard with the kids. However, as spring melts into summer and the sunshine loses its novelty, many children […]
Kids have a lot of challenges to face. Academics, friends, bullies, changing bodies, school changes, activities, and homework are just some of the things they have to contend with. How do parents keep kids healthy and decrease their stress?
