They say that when you focus on the past you may become sad. When you focus on the future you can create angst. Focusing on either prevents us from the things that are in the present moment. There is so much that goes on around us, can you take time to observe what’s going on …
Play Therapy for Adults?
I often find that when people hear about Play Therapy they think about playing and then the thought goes to children playing. We have many transitions in our lives. More specifically, going from childhood to adolescence to adulthood. As we get older we either say or hear people comment “that’s childish,” or “I don’t do …
Jada’s Story
Replay Counseling and Consulting
I have the opportunity to work with some pretty strong children who have been challenged with some tough situations early on in their lives. This is a story about a resilient girl who started life a little rough. She found out that I write about families and children on my blog and wanted me to tell her story.
Jada* first came into my office when she was 5 years old. She initially came because she was having difficulty with her feelings related to her relationship with her mother. Over time feelings were processed and she was doing well. She stopped counseling and resumed living a typically “normal” life. Most recently she returned to counseling at a different stage of her life where she again had difficulty with the lack of having a relationship with her mother. With her permission, the story is spoken in her words but paraphrased and written…
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Tell me what you want me to do
Unspoken expectations “Adults have these expectations for kids, and they think we know what they are,” Said a teen in my office who gave me permission to use his words. He was frustrated as are many other kids at the fact that parents and other authority figures have thoughts about what they want, how and …
“Can we eat dinner together?”
Excerpt from the book Through a Child's Eyes, written by Nikole R Jiggetts, LCSW (read more about the book below.) "I want to spend time with you." How many families still have dinner together? Or do you eat in one place and the children eat in their rooms? I’ve heard parents say they feed their …
Tuck me in at night, I still need you
An except from the book Through a Child's Eyes: A guide for parents Tucking a child into bed at night is a way to give a child security and love and to wish them a goodnight. The literal term tuck in would imply you physically secure them for bed, ensuring the sheets are tucked and …
I’m Calling You. Can’t You Hear Me?
Sometimes, I feel it is difficult to work with teens because they’re still a child but want some independence. They are at a point where they are developing individuality but still need and want their mom or dad. They have their own thoughts and opinions but are not sure how to respectfully voice them to …
April 19
It’s a full moon and it's glowing due to the cloudy sky. While I admire the beauty, my mind goes to a previous session I had with a client and I wonder if she is okay. It is amazing how many triggers go unnoticed in our daily routine. Something as simple as a full moon …
Jada’s Story
I have the opportunity to work with some pretty strong children who have been challenged with some tough situations early on in their lives. This is a story about a resilient girl who started life a little rough. She found out that I write about families and children on my blog and wanted me to …
Don’t Judge Me
"Don't judge me," it’s been a common saying among teens lately. One parent recently shared and agreed that she heard it from her children quite often. Not long ago my daughter said it too. I asked her a question about her homework, and she changed the subject and tried to ease out of the room. …