Girl using tablet in school class smiling to camera close up

ADHD: Basic Facts and Information

Luckily a wide variety of very effective treatment options are available to people with ADHD.

Treatment options range from therapy, adaptive approaches, lifestyle strategies and medications. If the ADHD interferes with a child’s school functioning, schools are required to make accommodations for students with ADHD. Adults may be able to request assistance at their place of employment. Usually a combination of approaches is more successful than any one alone.

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7 Absolutes for Good Self-Care if You or a Family Member Has Anxiety

Many people have anxiety or a child or family member who is anxious. It might be that there is a history of worrying or stress. Maybe the person avoids doing things that are scary, like approaching dogs, making speeches, or driving. Maybe the person tends to be overly careful or repetitive about hand-washing or cleaning. If the anxiety is distressing to the person, or interferes with the way s/he wants to live her life, she may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are common, and recent research has found that 1 in 3 people are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

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Self-Care and Self-Compassion Improves Parenting

Self-compassion is an important part of parenting children and adolescents.  A few years ago, the Washington Post published an article called “Teaching Children Self-Compassion by Modeling it Ourselves” by Mandy Lange.  The article addresses the idea that children learn how to respond to their difficulties, stressors, and mistakes through their own experiences, and through what […]

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Graduation

The Summer Before College: 7 Tips for Parents and Teens

The summer before college represents a huge transition between high school graduation and leaving for school in the fall. Families are proud, excited, worried, and quite busy. There is much to do and prepare for, especially if that teen is headed to college in the fall. The summer after graduation is an exciting and overwhelming […]

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Depressed Girl in Bed

Depression in Children and Adolescents: How to Help

Depression affects children, adolescents, and adults. It affects people from all income levels and ethnic backgrounds. Research estimates indicate that at least 2-6% of all children and 10-35 % of all adults are diagnosed with depression in their lifetime. Unfortunately, less than 20% of children receive the help that they need. Because you are now reading this, you are taking action to help your child, and that is a very important choice.

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Girl with ADHD

ADHD In Girls

ADHD is a common topic among parents, schools, and health providers. But ADHD in girls is an elusive concept. Allison was always labeled a “Tom Boy.” When other girls were playing with dolls, reading, or coloring, she was outside playing with the neighbor boys. She preferred softball, kickball, riding her bike. She could never sit […]

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Conversations About Diversity

“Discussions about culture move us forward as a society and expand our world views. Just because you may live in a place without much diversity does not mean you cannot open your mind or think critically about the struggles of marginalized populations and appreciate the little and big moments we are experiencing today.”

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Parenting Depression

Depression in Teens Impacts Parent Depression

Depression is serious business, particularly in children and adolescents.  Depression impacts about of 20 percent of teens prior to adulthood, and research supports that these numbers are increasing.  Sadly, when depression rates increase, so do rates of suicide, self-injury, and substance abuse.  Many times, as parents, we struggle with how to help and what to […]

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Why Kindness Is Good for You!

Kindness is an important concept to understand. We are programmed to be kind to one another, even though sometimes it seems that the world has lost this instinct. You can train yourself to be kinder, and as a result, you may also be happier, healthier, and find more meaning in your life. Kindness makes us […]

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Angry Cat

What to Do When You’re Really Angry

Getting angry is a part of life. None of us will live a life free of stressors, and sometimes, whether we want it to or not, anger bubbles up as we try to deal with our stress. Anger is natural, but the behaviors that come out of anger can be scary, hurtful, and harmful. Below […]

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