National Cancer Institute Speaks Directly to Teens Using Texting and Social Media Technology

Most adults know by now that smoking cigarettes is caustic to our health, partially because of the warning information printed on cigarette boxes and the intense media buzz provided by anti-smoking agencies and the United States government. Despite all that we know about the dangers of smoking, the prospect of smoking nicotine cigarettes is still […]

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Some Tips for Getting Through the Holidays With a Troubled Teen

By Ronni J. Gillenson ACS Program Director, On-Campus Counseling Progra Just because there is ‘holiday cheer’ in the air doesn’t mean that life for a teen has changed all that much.  In fact, the holidays can be a trying time for them.  During the season that everyone is to be happy and giving, this could […]

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Facebook

On Tuesday, December 13, 2011, Facebook announced their latest service that uses social media to provide crisis support for those  contemplating suicide or posting indicators that they may hurt themselves or someone else.  Adolescent Counseling Services is pleased to see that Facebook has partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and […]

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Everything You Wanted To Know About Your Middle Schooler But Were Too Afraid To Ask – Part 2

By Philippe Rey, Psy.D. Executive Director of Adolescent Counseling Services Let’s start this second part of our conversation by making sure that we all understand that middle school is a time for fluctuations in physical and emotional energy. During this time, kids experiment with risk taking, have an increased sense of curiosity, love danger and […]

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Back To School Tips: Information You Can Use Now!

Back To School Tips   by Roni Gillenson, LMFT, Program Director ACS’ On-Campus Counseling Program As teens reluctantly head back to school and leave the lazy days of summer behind, we are reminded of the stress that lies ahead for our youth.  While returning to school can be an exciting time to get reacquainted with friends […]

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Join Us For The Challenge Success Fall Plenary

Join our friends at Challenge Success for a conversation about how to honor and develop the unique capacities, skills, and interests of every child. Challenge Success Fall Plenary One Size Does Not Fit All: Each child is different. You are invited to spend the evening with nationally-renowned experts discussing academic stress, engagement, and well-being. Keynote […]

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

Since 1949, May has been recognized as “Mental Health Awareness Month.”  One theme for this year is Live Well! It’s Essential for Your Potential.  This them focuses on the importance of mental wellness and the steps everyone – children, teens and adults – can take to improve their well-being and resiliency in the face of difficult […]

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Breaking the Stigma: Teen Stress

Breaking the Stigma: Teen Stress – video and recap

On Tuesday, March 22, 2011, Adolescent Counseling Services hosted an intimate presentation and discussion on teen stress at the Cubberley Community Center in Palo Alto.  A presentation on teen stress was given by ACS’ Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program Director, Enrique Flores, MA and ACS’ On-Campus Counseling Program Director, Roni Gillenson, LMFT.  Other panelists included  Ursula […]

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Teen Stress: Parent Tips and Upcoming Forum in Palo Alto

On March 22, 2011, Adolescent Counseling Services will host a community forum, “Breaking the Stigma: Teen Stress” at the Cubberley Community Center located at 4000 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. The presentation will feature commentary from ACS Program Directors, Roni Gillenson and Enrique Flores, among others. For more information about the forum, please visit our […]

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Defining and Coping with Stress

How do you define stress?  What is Stress?? The dictionary defines stress as “the sum of biological reactions to any adverse stimulus, physical, mental emotional, internal or external, that tends to disturb a persons normal state of being.” Here are some common causes of stress in teenagers: Break up with boy/girl friend Arguments with parents […]

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