Adolescent Counseling Services

The Importance of School-Based Counseling

in Academic Stress / Emotional Regulation / Mental Health / Middle School Behavior / Perfectionism / Teen Development by Adolescent Counseling Services October 22, 2025October 20, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Kendall Keller, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program ADDRESSING the Growing Mental Health Crisis in California’s Schools Recent data from the 2022 State of Student Mental Wellness Report highlights an urgent and concerning trend in California’s youth mental health. According to the report, 63% of students experienced emotional meltdowns, 43% reported panic […]

Understanding Adolescent Grief

in Emotional Intelligence / Grief / Mental Health / Parent Tips / Parent-Child Communication / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Play Therapy by Adolescent Counseling Services October 15, 2025October 13, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Allison Thigpen, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program GRIEF AND LOSSare universal experiences, but they can look very different in young children. While adults may express grief through words or rituals, children often process their emotions in ways that are less obvious—through behavior, play, or even silence. As parents, caregivers, or educators, […]

Creativity as a Tool for Healing

in Emotional Intelligence / Emotional Regulation / Expressive Arts Therapy / Mental Health / Play Therapy / Self care / Stress Management / Teaching Mindfulness by Adolescent Counseling Services October 8, 2025October 7, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Gavriella Silverman, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program AS CHILDREN,creativity comes naturally–we sing songs made-up on the spot, turn doodles into masterpieces, and dance without fear of being watched. Yet as we grow older, this tender and wondrous part of ourselves often slips away. Without the encouragement of supportive adults and peers, […]

How to Support Someone who has Suicidal Thoughts

in Depression / Mental Health / Self-Harm / Suicide / Suicide Prevention by Adolescent Counseling Services October 7, 2025October 7, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Aaron Starr, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program SUICIDAL THOUGHTSare almost always about one thing: how to escape from suffering at a reasonable price. Whenever any of us suffer, we look for a way out. When we touch a hot pan, the pain motivates us to pull our hand away. In that […]

Supporting Teen Victims of Cyberbullying

in Cyberbullying / Mental Health / Monitoring Media / Parent Tips / Parenting / Teen Development / Teen Peer Groups / Teens and Technology by Adolescent Counseling Services June 11, 2025June 10, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Nathan Gennaro, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program AS TEENAGERSfrequently engage with technology and social media, it is important to consider how the use of these tools may affect their mental health. Social media offers teens access to education, opportunities to connect with others, and ways to explore new hobbies. While these […]

Heterosexual Privilege Awareness: Active Allyship

in Gender identity / LGBTQ Issues / LGBTQ rights / Mental Health / Pride Month / Sexuality / Society Norms by Adolescent Counseling Services June 4, 2025May 30, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Anny Bae, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Outlet Program WHAT IS PRIVILEGE?The concept of privilege refers to any automatic, unearned benefits and advantages awarded to members of dominant social groups, such as racial, gender, or sexual orientation identities (Case et al., 2012a; McIntosh, 1998). These privileges then operate on further intersecting identities (i.e., gay […]

Finding Community Can Improve Mental Health

in Academic Stress / Cultural Stressors / Gender / Gender identity / Identity Formation / Identity Formation / Mental Health / Mental Health / Self care / Stress by Adolescent Counseling Services May 28, 2025May 27, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Leslee Dominguez, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program ADOLESCENTS FACElife stressors like academics, relationships, food instability, economic instability, and many more stressful events. Additionally, youth who have marginalized identities have additional stressors that many might notice but do not discuss. These marginalized identities include being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, being […]

The Power of Co-Regulation: Supporting Your Child’s Emotional Growth

in Anger Management / Emotional Intelligence / Emotional Regulation / Emotional Regulation / Mental Health / Parent Tips / Parent-Child Communication / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Stress Management / Teaching Mindfulness by Adolescent Counseling Services May 21, 2025May 19, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Mackenzie Pyke, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program PARENTING CAN OFTENfeel like a balancing act, especially when your child or teenager is experiencing big emotions. Whether they’re frustrated, sad, or angry, navigating these emotional moments can be challenging for everyone involved. One of the most effective ways to support your child through […]

Promoting Good Mental Health in Adolescents Through Sports: A Parent’s Guide

in Excercise / Friendships / Parenting / Stress / Stress Management / Teen Development / Teen self-esteem by Adolescent Counseling Services May 19, 2025May 19, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Sarah Glass, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program ADOLESCENTS INVOLVEDin sports stand to gain more than just physical fitness—they can develop essential life skills like teamwork, perseverance, and self-confidence. However, for these benefits to truly take hold and foster good mental health, it’s crucial for parents to support their children in ways […]

Navigating New Horizons: Family Support and Resilience in the Immigrant Journey

in Anxiety / Cultural Stressors / Mental Health by Adolescent Counseling Services April 16, 2025April 15, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Anthony Ramirez, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program PARENTS OFTEN IMMIGRATEwith their children in search of better opportunities, driven by the hope of providing a brighter future for their families. These adults, who have invested years into building their lives and families in their home country, face a monumental decision: to leave […]