Trauma
THIS IS WHAT IT’S LIKE . . . Part 1
All. My. Life. I’ve been a people-pleaser. The person who constantly considers context and intentions, who gives the benefit of the doubt, who hates to see anyone feel embarrassed or…
Read MoreScreening Questions When Seeking an Adoption-Competent Therapist
Adoption is beyond complex – the language, the losses, the expectations, the norms, the family dynamics, the feelings…the list is long, in-depth, and specific. When you’re searching for an adoption-competent…
Read MoreWhy Do Kids Lie?
You know your teenager came home after curfew, your daughter spilled nail polish on the carpet, and your son ate cookies before dinner – so why do they lie about…
Read MoreTips for Parenting Trauma-Reactive Kids
While I could write for days on the topic of trauma in adoption and foster care kiddos, I’m writing this blog with the assumption that many parents already understand quite…
Read MoreHow to Help a Friend Who is Experiencing Abuse
Whether you are an adult with a friend who is involved in an abusive romantic relationship, or a child or teen who has a friend who is experiencing abuse at…
Read MoreWhy Abuse Can Create Learned Helplessness
Many of us have wondered: If a person is being abused, why don’t they tell someone about it and get help? Or if it’s an adult who is being hurt,…
Read MoreEffects of Substance Use During Pregnancy
While common sense tells us that alcohol, tobacco or drug use during pregnancy is not healthy for the mother or fetus, the true effects of such substance abuse on an…
Read MoreHelping Your High Schooler Cope with Loss
Though a teenager’s understanding of death and grief may be similar to that of an adult, it is important to remember that they are not yet adults. The teen years…
Read MoreHelping Your Middle Schooler Cope with Loss
Children who are nearing adolescence will have a greater understanding of the concepts associated with death, such as the irreversibility of death and the potential causes. They will also begin…
Read MoreHelping Your Elementary-Age Child Cope with Loss
Children ages six to ten will exhibit greater curiosity about death than during previous developmental stages. Some of their questions and words may seem frightening to you as a parent,…
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