Helping Parents Understand Different Relationship Structures

Written By: Seren Moran, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program IN EVERY GENERATION,parents encounter new topics and behaviors from their children that may feel unfamiliar or challenging. Many of us can remember moments when we tried to explain our perspective to our parents, hoping to be understood. And yet, when we step into the […]

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Double the Culture, Double the Opportunities: Helping Bicultural Adolescents

Written By: Nancy Lavinghousez, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program BICULTURAL IDENTITYrefers to those who belong to two distinct cultural groups, requiring them to both navigate and integrate both cultures’ values, customs, languages, and social norms into one’s sense of self. The process, though enriching at times, can pose unique challenges to bicultural adolescents […]

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Trauma and Child Neglect: The Silent but Lasting Wound

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 […]

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Algorithms & Identity: How AI Shapes Adolescents’ Online World

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

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

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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What is Autism and What Should I Do About It?

Written By: Taylor Anderson, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program AUTISM IS A HOT BUTTON TOPICin today’s world, and it can often times be challenging to understand what Autism actually is. The scariest part of Autism is when we don’t understand it, so let’s take some time to understand what it is and how […]

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

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

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

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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