Clearing the Path
Understanding the Adolescent Mental Health Crisis - A Dive into the Data and Hope for Change
Hope for the global teen mental health crisis: Dartmouth College is hosting a groundbreaking three-day symposium that underscores how seriously the global community is taking youth mental health. "A Global Turning Point: Why Youth Well-Being Is in Crisis—and What We Must Do About It" will bring together dozens of leading international scholars, physicians, advocates, experts, and policymakers from around the world, including six former U.S. Surgeons General.
Parenting strategies for when your child struggles with depression or anxiety.
If you've noticed your teen struggling more, withdrawing from friends, constantly on their phone, irritable, anxious, and you think they might suffer from depression or anxiety, you're not alone. Read here.
Digital Dangers: Protecting Teens in an Age of AI and Online Exploitation
Protecting Teens in an Age of AI and Online Exploitation
The digital landscape our kids are navigating has become more dangerous than most of us realize, particularly now with AI and Fake Nudes.
Parenting Teens: The “Plays” You Need
Effective strategies to parent your “hard to parent” teen. Sharing hard-earned lessons.
Why Kindness Matters. It’s A Protective Factor for Mental & Physical Health
Kindness doesn't just make the world slightly better for others. It measurably improves our physical and mental health, reduces our stress reactivity, provides our children with concrete evidence that they have power to create good in the world, creates a ripple effect that touches givers, receivers, and observers alike, and literally retrains our brains to notice positive interactions instead of only threats and problems.
Curate Their Content!
The cultural climate and our own adverse experiences (like divorce or a loss of a job) has an impact on adults, but children, especially neurodivergent children, are particularly vulnerable to the anxiety and confusion it creates. Kids are incredibly sensitive to their environment, so to the best you can, be mindful of what they are exposed to, and have age-appropriate conversations with them to help them process and understand
Why Teens Struggle with Motivation: A Therapeutic Approach to Lasting Change
If your teen seems to lack motivation, change the focus from "how can we make you change" to "what do you actually want for your life?"
Lasting motivation doesn't come from consequences or rewards. It comes from understanding what matters and choosing to act in alignment with those values, even when it's hard.
Tips for Communicating with your Teen or Young Adult Child
Simple Communication Tips for Parents
Many parents feel less truly connected with their kids, despite their 24/7 texting or reading one another’s social media posts. Real connection requires intentional efforts to communicate and genuine listening. Follow the tips in this blog.
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.
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.
The Life-Changing Power of Adult Mentors: Why Your Teen Needs More Than Just You!
How meaningful adult-student relationships create lasting impact—in boarding schools and beyond