Teen Pregnancy

Written By: Ruby Ortiz, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program ONE OF THE MOSTtransformative experiences that anyone can encounter in their lifetime is going through a pregnancy. Individuals go through a significant amount of physical, emotional, and psychological changes during this period in their life. It doesn’t only include the body changing throughout each […]

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Teen Dating: 5 Tips for Parents

Written By: Wendy Ortiz-Rodriguez, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program There comes a timein an adolescent’s development when friends turn into crushes and crushes turn into potential dating relationships. Dating can be tricky at any age in development, therefore it is worth having a conversation about this topic with your teen to guide them […]

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Asexuality: An Explainer

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 […]

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What’s the Word?

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 […]

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When it’s Time to Exhale: Thoughts and Reflections on Coming Out in the 21st Century

Written By:  Ryan Fouts, LCSW, Outlet Program Director, ACS’ Outlet Program In honor of National Coming Out Day, celebrated annually on October 11th since 1988, here are some thoughts, reflections, and reminders about coming out in the 21st Century. 1. Coming out is a gift. It’s easy to see coming out as a scary, hard thing (because […]

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LGBTQQ Youth and Health

Written By: Rodrigo Garcia-Reyes, Outlet Program Spanish-language and Education Coordinator  22 states, including California and the District of Columbia require public schools teach sex education. 35 states and the District of Columbia allow parents to opt-out on behalf of their children.  A 2011 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey indicates that more than […]

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Conference on adolescent mental health & addiction – Menlo Park, 2/28, 9am-3:30pm

Adolescent Counseling Services‘ Executive Director, Philippe Rey, Psy.D., will be a keynote speaker at Parenting Teens Through the Challenges of Life: A conference on adolescent health and addiction. This conference will help you understand what adolescents deal with and provide information on helpful resources. The keynotes and afternoon workshops, led by experts in their fields, will discuss […]

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Adolescents in Middle School: Part 4

Image: Cavale Doom Originally Published March 2010 Commentary by ACS Executive Director, Dr. Philippe Rey Discuss definitions of sexual behaviors, puberty, physical changes,  oral sex. •Help your child to be responsible so they can make a decision. •Help them understand what their feelings about sex are. •Are they ready for sex and how do they […]

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The Task of Becoming a Teen

by Charlotte Villemoes, LMFT Site Director at Woodside High School After years of challenging teen years my son has finally emerged again, and much to my delight I am discovering he was hiding a real human being in there, someone who is able to communicate and show some basic interest in other people, including his […]

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Menlo-Atherton Parent Education Series

Make sure to mark your calendars for this Thursday, February 2nd at 7pm the Menlo-Atherton Parent Education Series will be holding a panel on Teen Sexuality: Get the Facts (What Every Parent Wants to Know). Where:Menlo Atherton Center for the Performing Arts (PAC) located on the Menlo-Atherton High School campus. Come hear from the experts! […]

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