Mental Health

Autonomy in Adolescents

in Helicopter Parenting / Mental Health / Parent Tips / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Setting Boundaries / Teen Privacy  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Kenzie Bohnsack, Clinical Intern at ACS, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program A desire forautonomy is experienced at two critical stages in life, toddlerhood and adolescence. Autonomy can be defined as feeling, behaving, and thinking independently, a sense of self-governance or freedom to make choices. During adolescence, youth begin to separate from their parents […]

Read More ›

Practicing Self-Compassion

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Intern / Mental Health / Perfectionism / Self care  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Elaina Vielbaum, Clinical Intern at ACS, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program rooted in buddhistphilosophy and psychology, the construct of self-compassion is considered to be a just as vital to feel as it is with other feelings (Neff, 2003). Similarly, to the definition of compassion, self-compassion encompasses the same qualities as compassion for others, […]

Read More ›

So You’ve Been Invited to Have a Family Session with Your Teen… An Attachment-Based Approach

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Family Bullying / Intern / Mental Health / Parent Tips / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Jaimie Sandlin, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program and Community Counseling Program family sessionscan be tense, but the expected outcome is that you all emerge stronger together. When your teen’s therapist asks you, their caregiver, to join them for a session, it can be nerve-wracking. You might feel defensive. You might feel […]

Read More ›

Boundaries – For You AND Your Teen

in Mental Health / Parent Tips / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Setting Boundaries  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Elizabeth Rivera, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program and Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program   “Your no makes the way for your yes. Boundaries create the container within which your yes is authentic. Being able to say no makes yes a choice.” ― Adrienne Maree Brown, Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good […]

Read More ›

Asexuality: An Explainer

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / LGBTQ Issues / Mental Health / Mental Health / Relationships / Sexuality / Society Norms  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Tucker Chopp, Clinical Intern at ACS, Outlet Program what is asexuality? Broadly speaking, it refers to folks who do not experience sexual attraction to others. “Asexual” or “Ace” is often used as an umbrella term to refer to people who consider themselves to be included in the asexual community. A lack of sexual […]

Read More ›

An Athlete’s Toughest Competitor…

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anxiety / Depression / Disorders / Mental Health / Perfectionism / Stress  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Grant Robinson, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program what would you say is an athlete’s toughest competitor? Their opponent? The playing field? The other side’s coaches or parents? What about an athlete’s own body and mind? There are so many different opponents that an athlete has to deal with on a daily […]

Read More ›

Practicing Mindfulness

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anger Management / Mental Health / Parent Tips / Self care / Stress Management / Teaching Mindfulness / Teen Motivation  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Anna Fitch, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program what is mindfulness? Over the past three decades, a movement of mindfulness-based positive psychology has taken the field by storm. As a result, mindfulness has become commonplace within the vernacular of modern-day society. While well-intentioned, mindfulness has become somewhat of a cultural commodity, leading […]

Read More ›

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 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 […]

Read More ›

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 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 […]

Read More ›

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 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, […]

Read More ›