Mental Health

Algorithms & Identity: How AI Shapes Adolescents’ Online World

in Monitoring Media / Online Monitoring / Online Safety / Parenting / Social Media / Teens and Technology  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Osvaldo Muro, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program FOR TODAY’S TEENS, the digital word is not separate from “real life”. Much of their social experience is shaped by artificial intelligence, particularly the algorithms that decide what shows up in their feeds. Whether it’s TikTok recommendations or Instagram’s “Explore” page, AI is constantly […]

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Staying Present With It All: The Pain and The Pleasure

in Self care / Teen self-esteem  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Will Fang, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Addiction Treatment Program AS ADOLESCENTSand as individuals emerging into this messy, complicated, yet breathtaking world, teenagers may encounter difficult experiences, heartbreaks, unpleasant realities, rejection, elation, meaningful social connections, and perhaps even peace and freedom. It is not clear if the difficult experiences can be avoided. […]

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Trauma-Informed Care: Supporting Marginalized Youth

in Cultural Stressors / Mental Health / Stress  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Elvie Tomacder, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program MOST YOUNG PEOPLEwill experience a stressful or difficult event in their lifetime. Nearly 90% of U.S. adults report at least one traumatic event (Center for Health Care Strategies, 2024). For some, these experiences rise to the level of trauma – events that overwhelm their […]

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Slaying Inner Demons: What K-Pop Demon Hunters Teaches Us About Mental Health

in Friendships / Mental Health / Parent Support / Parent Tips / Parenting / Teen Development / Teens and Technology  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Juanita Ibarra, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program UNLESS YOU’VE LIVED UNDER A ROCKthis past year, you’ve probably heard about K-Pop Demon Hunters from your kids, your co-workers, social media, new outlets, and even your neighbor’s dog. It’s not only Netflix’s most watched movie ever and dominating music charts, it’s also a […]

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Understanding Grief and Loss through a Cultural Lens

in Grief / Mental Health / Parent Tips  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Juanita Ibarra, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program HAVE YOU EVER FELTlike you didn’t know what to say to someone who was grieving? Many of us have been there, wanting to help, but unsure how. Grief is one of those universal experiences that connects us all, yet it can feel deeply personal […]

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Big Feelings in Small Bodies: Helping Elementary and Middle School Students Navigate Emotional Ups and Downs

in Anger Management / Emotional Intelligence / Emotional Regulation / Emotional Regulation / Mental Health / Parent Support / Parent Tips / Parenting  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Ariella Hartley, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program THE TRANSITION FROM CHILDHOOD into the tween and teen years can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, for students, parents, and teachers alike. Throughout elementary and middle school, children develop a deeper sense of self, stronger social awareness, and growing sensitivity to how others see […]

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Is it a Disruptive Behavior Disorder or ADHD? Knowing the Difference and How to Support Your Child

in ADHD / Disorders / Emotional Regulation / Parenting  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Madison Reyna, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program IT IS COMMON FOR CHILDREN with Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to exhibit some disruptive behaviors. However, ADHD symptoms can be misdiagnosed as a disruptive behavior disorder, especially in children of color (Fadus et al., 2020). Disruptive behavior disorders are typically presented as difficulties in […]

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Stop Gaslighting Yourself: Learn to Accept All of Your Emotions

in Academic Stress / Anger Management / Emotional Regulation / Emotional Regulation / Mental Health / Self care / Stress Management / Teaching Mindfulness  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Margaret Wooll, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program WE ALL HAVE INTENSE EMOTIONSsometimes. Part of growing up is learning to handle the big ones. Somewhere along the way, though, a lot of us get the message that we should be able to just control whether we even have certain emotions. It doesn’t […]

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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 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 […]

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Communication Tools for Adults and Teens: IFAB’s and OFNR’s

in Emotional Intelligence / Emotional Regulation / Emotional Regulation / Parent Tips / Parent-Child Communication / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Relationships  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Mariana Trejo, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program COMMUNICATIONcan be one of the most challenging aspects to our relationships, but one of the most crucial. During adolescence, most teens seek independence from parents or other adults in their lives, while many adults try to stay connected and provide guidance to them. Similarly, […]

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