Clearing the Path

What to Do When Your Teen Is Self-Harming … A Parent's Guide

Is Your Teen Self-Harming?A Parent's Guide

Finding out your teenager is hurting themselves is devastating. Whether you discovered cuts, found hidden blades, or they told you themselves, you're likely feeling shock, fear, and confusion. Know that you're not alone – about 15-20% of teens engage in some form of self-harm.

When parents call me or Rebekah and say that their child is struggling with their mental health, one of the first questions we ask is “Are they self-harming?” It’s so very common. But the good news, is that once we get these kids help and they learn better coping skills, most often stop the behavior all-together.

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Therapeutic Educational Consultant vs. Educational Consultant: What's the Difference?

Therapeutic Educational Consultant vs. Educational Consultant: What's the Difference?

Understanding which type of support your family needs

If you're reading this, you're likely seeking support for your child's educational or mental health journey. This can be an overwhelming and emotional time, and understanding the difference between types of educational consultants is an important first step in finding the right help for your family.

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What is a Therapeutic Educational Consultant?

What is a Therapeutic Educational Consultant?

A therapeutic educational consultant provides individuals and families with curated, well-matched therapeutic (and academic) options for emotional, behavioral, academic and/or relational issues. Consultants travel frequently to ensure they maintain a real-time, firsthand understanding of school & program components.  Reputable therapeutic consultants are independent, meaning they do not accept or receive referral fees or any compensation from programs or schools for recommending.

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For the Parents: It Takes Courage …

Why seeking residential treatment for your child takes courage …

I've been with many parents at the moment they realize their child needs more support than they can provide at home. Most have exhausted faces, others have trembling hands, but nearly all begin to cry when they say: "We can't do this alone anymore."

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Parenting Strategies and Support Jennifer Benson Parenting Strategies and Support Jennifer Benson

Give Yourself Grace: Essential Advice for Parents in 2025

Give Yourself Grace: Essential Advice for Parents in 2025

In our daily work with families at Crossbridge, we see how much harder parenting has become. The rapid changes in technology and society have made raising children more complex than ever before. Parents come to us feeling overwhelmed, questioning their choices, and often carrying heavy guilt about their child's struggles. This is when we remind them to give themselves grace - parenting has never been harder than it is right now.

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Parenting Strategies and Support Jennifer Benson Parenting Strategies and Support Jennifer Benson

Your children are not your children …

These words from "The Prophet" first found me in high school, gifted by a dear friend at a time when I was just beginning to understand my own identity. As an only child and the center of my parents' world, these lines shifted something fundamental in how I saw myself — not just as someone's daughter, but as an individual on my own unique journey.

Now, decades later, as both a parent and therapeutic consultant, Gibran's wisdom resonates with even greater depth.

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