How to Recognize a Child in Crisis and Intervene Appropriately

Written By: Andrew Cecil, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Addiction Treatment Program IT IS COMMONfor parents to feel concerned about their child’s well-being when they notice things like poor academic performance, substance use, and unhealthy relationships. However, few parents are as familiar with the behavioral signs of a crisis. A crisis refers to a […]

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Sleep Hygiene

Written By: Andrea Delariyala, Program Coordinator at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program A good night’s sleep is important for all of us, but can be particularly crucial for teens since their bodies and brains are going through significant development. Teens typically need between 8-10 hours of sleep a night, and for most teens, 9 hours is […]

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Youth Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What You Can Do

Written By: Patricia H. Scherer, MS, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program The COVID-19 pandemichas been raising concerns about mental health around the globe. Research indicates that since the onset of the pandemic, psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety and depression, have been rising in the general population. However, adolescents during the pandemic experience […]

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Supporting Adolescents Through Grief

Written By: Melissa Boutsy, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program adolescentsexperiencing grief may be at their most vulnerable point in their lives as they work through adolescent challenges and bereavement challenges. The grieving process in adolescents is similar to adults, but we must be mindful of the difference of expression that may show through […]

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Autonomy in Adolescents

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 […]

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Active Listening Skills to Communicate with Your Child

Written By: Wen Soon, Clinical Intern at ACS, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program communication is often one of the most important skills people are taught. We hear it from other parents, teachers, and the media as the one panacea to any problems we have in the family. Think about the last time you communicated with […]

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

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 […]

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Finding Strength: An ACS Newsletter – Issue 4

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!

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