mental wellness | Adolescent Counseling Services

How to Recognize a Child in Crisis and Intervene Appropriately

in Anger Management / Behavioral Norms / Mental Health / Parent Tips / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Stress / Stress Management / Teen Therapy by Adolescent Counseling Services April 17, 2023April 14, 2023 0 comments

Written By: Andrew Cecil, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Addiction Treatment Program IT IS COMMONfor parents to feel concerned about their child’s well-being when they notice things like poor academic performance, substance use, and unhealthy relationships. However, few parents are as familiar with the behavioral signs of a crisis. A crisis refers to a […]

The Psychological Benefits of Exercise

in Depression / Mental Health / Pandemic / Perfectionism / Self care / Stress / Stress Management / Teen self-esteem by Adolescent Counseling Services May 18, 2022May 13, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Madeline Lee, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program EXERCISEhas many benefits beyond the improvement and maintenance of one’s physical health. Exercise can also act as a mental health tool or healthy coping method in that it can help improve mood, self-esteem, and work performance (Kunce & Wilfley, 1986) among other benefits. There […]

Sleep Hygiene

in Academic Stress / Mental Health / Parent Tips / Parenting / Self care / Setting Boundaries / Sleep / Stress / Stress Management by Adolescent Counseling Services January 26, 2022January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Andrea Delariyala, Program Coordinator at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program A good night’s sleep is important for all of us, but can be particularly crucial for teens since their bodies and brains are going through significant development. Teens typically need between 8-10 hours of sleep a night, and for most teens, 9 hours is […]

Being Mindful of Depressing Thoughts

in Academic Stress / Anxiety / Mental Health / OCD / Perfectionism / Self care / Stress / Stress Management / Teen Therapy by Adolescent Counseling Services January 5, 2022January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Alonzo Howard, BS, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program negative thoughtsare the leading cause of future episodes of depression. Depressive episodes may occur at any point of the year. However, findings show higher rates of major depressive episodes during November and December. During this season there is an increase in conflict between […]

The Benefits of Journaling

in Anger Management / Anxiety / Depression / Grief / Mental Health / Self care / Stress / Stress Management / Teaching Mindfulness / Teen Therapy by Adolescent Counseling Services November 3, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Madeline Lee, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program journalingis a great, cost-effective therapeutic tool that can be beneficial for a large range of situations. There are studies showing that different populations ranging from young school children to expecting or new mothers benefit from journaling. For instance, the school students reported that journaling […]

Body Image in Adolescence

in Behavioral Norms / Disorders / Eating Disorders / Mental Health / Middle School Behavior / Perfectionism / Self care / Teen self-esteem / Teen Self-Image by Adolescent Counseling Services May 19, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Tucker Chopp, Clinical Intern at ACS, Outlet Program for many young people,the teenage years become increasingly fraught with highly self-conscious thinking. It is typical for adolescents to become preoccupied with how they are perceived by others and how they fit into society. How teens present themselves physically often becomes a significant concern in […]

Practicing Self-Compassion

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Intern / Mental Health / Perfectionism / Self care by Adolescent Counseling Services March 31, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Elaina Vielbaum, Clinical Intern at ACS, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program rooted in buddhistphilosophy and psychology, the construct of self-compassion is considered to be a just as vital to feel as it is with other feelings (Neff, 2003). Similarly, to the definition of compassion, self-compassion encompasses the same qualities as compassion for others, […]

Boundaries – For You AND Your Teen

in Mental Health / Parent Tips / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Setting Boundaries by Adolescent Counseling Services March 10, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Elizabeth Rivera, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program and Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program “Your no makes the way for your yes. Boundaries create the container within which your yes is authentic. Being able to say no makes yes a choice.” ― Adrienne Maree Brown, Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good […]

An Athlete’s Toughest Competitor…

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Anxiety / Depression / Disorders / Mental Health / Perfectionism / Stress by Adolescent Counseling Services February 3, 2021January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Grant Robinson, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program what would you say is an athlete’s toughest competitor? Their opponent? The playing field? The other side’s coaches or parents? What about an athlete’s own body and mind? There are so many different opponents that an athlete has to deal with on a daily […]

Self-Compassion: The Radical Alternative to Self-Esteem

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Intern / Mental Health / OCD / Perfectionism / Teen self-esteem by Adolescent Counseling Services November 4, 2020January 27, 2022 0 comments

Written By: Anna Fitch, Clinical Intern at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program the notion that high self-esteem plays an integral role in overall well-being has become a platitude in modern society. Parents are given the message that one of their primary jobs is to tend to their child’s self-esteem. Coaches are encouraged to give out participation […]