Identity Formation | Adolescent Counseling Services

You Don’t Need to Have Everything Figured Out: Identity and LGBTQ+ Teens

in Gender / Gender identity / Identity Formation / Identity Formation / Parent Tips / Parenting / Sexuality / Teen Development by Adolescent Counseling Services June 3, 2026May 28, 2026 0 comments

Written By: Samantha Sicairos, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program TO TEENS: Adolescence is a time of exploring who you are and teens are often exploring their sexual orientation and gender identities. Some may know exactly how they identify and some may question and change their labels over time (during adolescence and beyond at […]

Helping Teens Navigate Social Media in Healthy Ways

in Identity Formation / Monitoring Media / Online Monitoring / Online Safety / Parent-Child Communication / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Setting Boundaries / Social Media / Teens and Technology by Adolescent Counseling Services May 27, 2026May 21, 2026 0 comments

Written By: Joyce Cannon, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program RAISING TEENShas never been simple. Parents have always worried about friendships, activities, and emotional well-being. However, today’s parents also face the challenge of helping their adolescents navigate the world of social media. Recent studies from Pew Research show how central social media has become […]

The Power of Your Personal Narrative: Shine Your Light Wisely

in Identity Formation / Identity Formation / Parenting / Teen Self-Image by Adolescent Counseling Services May 20, 2026May 14, 2026 0 comments

Written By: Francis J. Santora, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program EACH OF US LIVES BY A STORY-a personal narrative we tell ourselves about who we are, where we’ve been, and what’s possible for us. This story isn’t only about the facts and events of our past experiences. It’s also about meaning. The story […]

Trauma and Child Neglect: The Silent but Lasting Wound

in Emotional Regulation / Emotional Regulation / Identity Formation / Mental Health / Parenting by Adolescent Counseling Services April 1, 2026March 25, 2026 0 comments

Written By: Jennifer Molina, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program WHEN PEOPLEthink of child abuse, they often picture bruises, harsh words, or sexual violation. These forms of abuse are deeply harmful and life-altering. But what many don’t realize is that neglect can sometimes leave even deeper scars on the brain than physical, sexual, or […]

What’s Really Going On With Your Teen? A Lot More Than You Think

in Emotional Intelligence / Emotional Regulation / Friendships / Identity Formation / Identity Formation / Relationships / Teen Development / Teen Self-Image by Adolescent Counseling Services December 10, 2025December 8, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Edelya Silva, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program THE TEENAGE YEARSare often referred to as the most trying years for a parent and their child. Lots of books and blogs love to capitalize on this “chaos” with catchy titles like Feeding the Mouth that Bites You or Surviving Your Child’s Adolescence. The […]

Parenting Stress in Immigrant Families: Challenges and Strengths

in Cultural Stressors / Family therapy / Identity Formation / Identity Formation / Mental Health / Parent Support / Parenting / Parenting Stress by Adolescent Counseling Services November 13, 2025November 10, 2025 0 comments

Written By: Anjana Srinivasaprasad, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Addiction Treatment Program FOR MANY IMMIGRANT PARENTS, raising children in a new country comes with both pride and pressure. They carry the responsibility of preserving cultural traditions while helping their children adapt to an unfamiliar environment. This balancing act can create unique forms of parenting […]

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 Rock and Role of Music in Adolescent Development: Exploring the Benefits of Listening to Music for Adolescent Development

in Academic Stress / Emotional Regulation / Identity Formation / Identity Formation / Mental Health / Parenting / Self care / Stress Management / Teen Development / Uncategorized by Adolescent Counseling Services November 6, 2024November 4, 2024 0 comments

Written By: Sarah Hulscher, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program NEARLY EVERYcoming-of-age movie involves a scene with a teen protagonist listening to some of their favorite music way too loud. Often, these favorite songs aren’t appreciated by the parents of the aforementioned main character. The classic phrase of “turn that racket off” has been […]