Adolescent Counseling Services

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth during the Holidays

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Family Bullying / Intern / LGBTQ Issues / Mental Health / Mental Health / Parenting / Teen self-esteem by Adolescent Counseling Services December 23, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Nat Bricker, Clinical Intern at ACS, Outlet Program for many individuals, the winter holidays can bring a variety of different emotions, from overall positivity and joy, to significant stress. The emotional well-being of LGBTQ+ youth during the holidays is particularly impacted by family dynamics and levels of family acceptance. It is important for […]

Reconnecting the Mind and Body After Trauma: A Somatic Approach

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anxiety / Mental Health / Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by Adolescent Counseling Services December 16, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Jaimie Sandlin, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program trauma is commonly “stored as sensory perceptions, dysregulated arousal, and behavioral enactments” and stored unconsciously and away from a cognitive state (Ogden, Goldstein, and Fisher, 2012). There is a disconnect between the body and mind. Given this, trauma can be difficult to navigate, as […]

Adolescent Substance Use: How and When to Talk to Your Teen

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Alcoholism / Drinking / Drugs & Alcohol / Intern / Marijuana / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Prevention / Setting Boundaries / Smoking / Teenage Smoking / Vaping by Adolescent Counseling Services November 25, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Kenzie Bohnsack, Clinical PhD Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program as children emerge into their teenage years, parents may begin to worry about their adolescent’s use of substances, such as alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other drugs. Substance use is often initiated and quite common during adolescence. Alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco are […]

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth through Political Uncertainty

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anxiety / Intern / LGBTQ Issues / LGBTQ rights / LGBTQ youth of color / Mental Health / Mental Health / Self care / Stress / Stress Management by Adolescent Counseling Services November 18, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Nat Bricker, Clinical Intern at ACS, Outlet Program THE RECENT ELECTIONS in November 2020 were accompanied by significant stressors for many people. These stressors were particularly salient for individuals holding minoritized identities whose rights hang in the balance. In particular, there have been a number of recent anti-LGBTQ+ policies enacted and proposed, so, […]

Handling stress during the Covid-19 pandemic // Manejo del estrés durante la pandemia de Covid-19

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anger Management / Anxiety / Intern / Mental Health / Pandemic / Parent Tips / Parenting / Self care / Sleep / Stress / Stress Management / Teaching Mindfulness / Teen Therapy by Adolescent Counseling Services November 11, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Elizabeth Rivera, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program and Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program In English: WE HAVE NOW BEEN sheltering in place for almost 8 months – remember when we thought we’d be out of this in just a few months? The Covid-19 pandemic has inevitably affected our lives: from changes […]

Self-Compassion: The Radical Alternative to Self-Esteem

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Intern / Mental Health / OCD / Perfectionism / Teen self-esteem by Adolescent Counseling Services November 4, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Anna Fitch, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program the notion that high self-esteem plays an integral role in overall well-being has become a platitude in modern society. Parents are given the message that one of their primary jobs is to tend to their child’s self-esteem. Coaches are encouraged to give out participation […]

Why There’s No Better Time than Now to Quit Vaping

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Drugs & Alcohol / Electronic Cigarettes / Recovery / Smoking / Teenage Smoking / Vaping by Adolescent Counseling Services October 28, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Wen Soon, Clinical Intern at ACS, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program EVERY YEAR, people wait until January 1st to make important resolutions and commitments to change their bad habits. People erroneously believe the new year will somehow give them the motivation to finally change. However, U.S. News and World Report (2015) shared that […]

Maintaining Equanimity of Mind…

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anxiety / Intern / Mental Health by Adolescent Counseling Services October 21, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Catharine Williams, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program THE WORLD feels unsteady, unpredictable, even scary in the midst of all this uncertainty… so how can we maintain equanimity of mind amid a global pandemic? How can we find compassion in crisis? How can we, as a united people, stay calm amid this […]

What’s the Word?

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Gender / Gender identity / LGBTQ Issues / Pride Month / Sexuality / Society Norms by Adolescent Counseling Services June 17, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Rey Boone, Clinical Intern at ACS, Outlet Program why is language important? Sharp (2015) emphasized the importance of language in the connection of people worldwide and how it ties them to their history and roots; this author also highlights how certain languages are in danger of dying out permanently and the connections being […]

Finding Strength: An ACS Newsletter – Issue 4

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anxiety / Depression / Intern / Mental Health / Parenting / Stress / Stress Management / Teaching Mindfulness by Adolescent Counseling Services May 29, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) has started a weekly newsletter as a resource for young people and parents through shelter-in-place. Articles include content written by our clinicians and young clients. Please click below to view or print!