What If Holiday Magic Doesn’t Look Like You Thought?
Parenting through the holidays can feel like a high-stakes performance. We pour our energy into creating the “perfect” experience with elaborate decorations, packed calendars, and thoughtful gifts, assuming we know what our kids want. Or what we think they should want. Or maybe what we wished we had growing up. But what if all that […]
Finding Calm in Holiday Chaos: Understanding Your Stress Response
You know that feeling when everyone else seems to have the joy of the holidays figured out, and you’re wondering if you’re the only one finding it all a bit…much? Welcome to the holidays, where our expectations are picture-perfect and our reality is often a little messier, a little more complicated, and a lot more […]
Exploring Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): An Evidence-Based Treatment for Trauma and Beyond
Written By: Erica Shick, PhD, LPC What is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and recover from traumatic experiences. Developed in the late In the 1980s, Francine Shapiro developed EMDR, which integrates various therapeutic techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and somatic approaches. The core […]
Reasons Why Therapy is Important for Children & Adolescents
Positive Affects and Reasons Why Therapy is Important for Children and Adolescents Written By: Meagan Gerchen. Many caring parents find themselves wondering, “Does my child need therapy?” If you haven’t been to therapy yourself, it can be hard to know what it offers. For children and adolescents, therapy can be a supportive, practical space to learn […]
Navigating Back to School Transition: A Guide for Parents
By: Hadley McIntyre MSW, LCSW The beginning of the school year often brings a mix of excitement and stress. New routines, early mornings, shifting schedules, and emotional goodbyes at drop off. It can all add up quickly. For many families, especially those with young children or kids who experience anxiety or learning differences, the back-to-school […]
Finding Your Fit: Greek Life Beyond TikTok and Rush Coaches By Hadley McIntyre, MSW, LCSW
Greek recruitment isn’t what it used to be. What was once a week of friendly conversations, campus tours, and the occasional awkward icebreaker has evolved into a highly produced social event, part performance, part popularity contest. Today’s potential new members (PNMs) are often navigating a landscape shaped less by real-life connections and more by TikTok […]
The Importance of Mental Health Therapy in Conjunction with Psychiatric Medications: A Comprehensive Approach to Well-Being
Jamie Caldwell, LMSW Mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being, yet it often does not receive the attention it deserves. Historically, stigma has discouraged many individuals from seeking help, but times are changing. Increasing awareness and acceptance of mental health conditions—such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder—are normalizing treatment. When it comes to […]
Finding Hope and a Community- Navigating Eating Disorders
By: Jennifer S. Lyons, MA, PLPC I remember the fear and disbelief as our pediatrician fielded questions about my fourteen-year-old daughter’s mood, eating, and exercise habits. It was the summer before her first year of high school, and she earned the role of the prima ballerina in the fall ballet. I thought she was incorporating […]
Creating the New Normal: Navigating the Holiday Season in Separate Houses
By Jennifer Webbe VanLuven, MSW, LCSW, CDM Adults and stress go hand in hand during the holiday season. There is so much to do. Family to be seen, school holiday programs, gifts to be bought and wrapped, and special celebrations such as Kwanzaa, Chanukah, Christmas, and New Year. When parenting from two households, the stress can feel insurmountable. […]
Mental Healthy Holiday
By David Stewart, PLMFT, CPT, HLC I don’t know about you, but my family doesn’t look like a Hallmark movie around the holidays. How great would that be? Maybe a little cheesy and cliché for some, but you have to admit, it would be nice to just have everything work out and come together in […]