Articles
The Power in Being Mindful of Expectations
Articles“Why does my child act out at home and not other places?”
Since you and your home are likely your child’s safe space, it is not uncommon for behaviors and emotional dysregulation to arise that are not displayed in other settings. This…
Seeking Couples Counseling as a Polyamorous Couple
ArticlesWhile Monogamy is the most popular relationship type in America, there is a growing population of people who either have engaged in or are currently engaging in some form of an Ethically Nonmonogamous relationship. Ethical Nonmonogamy (ENM)…
The Unexpected Lessons of Parenthood: A Counselor’s Journey
ArticlesParenthood can be a transformative experience, one that challenges even the most seasoned professionals in child and adolescent counseling. With over two decades of experience as a counselor and play therapist, I thought I had a solid grasp…
How Do We Help Those Who Serve?
Articles, Emergency RespondersI have a vivid memory as a kid sitting in my dining room and watching my father and brother rush out of the house after their pagers went off for a fire call. I also remember my father taking me up to the fire house as a kid to explore the monstrous…
Why Does My Therapist Want to Know About My Childhood?
ArticlesMany people who start therapy are curious about why their therapist wants to know so much about their childhood. After all, the problems they are experiencing today seem to have nothing to do with what happened when they were a kid. But as Gabor…
Parenting Toolbox: Grandma’s Rule
ArticlesExperts, parents, and bystanders all agree that parenting is tough. Having been in the counseling and parenting field for the last 18 years, I can acknowledge how tough parenting can be. Parents are trying to love, nurture and keep their child(ren)…
Child Directive Play: It’s Not About You
ArticlesEducators, childcare workers, and counselors all understand the importance of child-directed play. As a counselor in the child-welfare field for almost 20 years, I am here to educate you as a parent on the necessity of fostering creativity and…
Parenting Techniques: Limited Choices
ArticlesBy Jennifer “Jen” Drager, LPC
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As a professional in the world of family counseling and parenting, I am often asked what my go-to parenting strategies are. My favorite and most suggested…
Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
ArticlesIn today's digital era, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, shaping how we connect to and interact with others. While these platforms offer various benefits, such as the ability to remain connected with friends and family…
The 3 C’s of Parenting: Clear, Concise, and Consistent
ArticlesMy philosophy with parenting has always been the three C’s: Clear, Concise, and Consistent. This is a set of complementary communication strategies that can improve your relationship with your children, reduce the frustration you may experience, and lead to more effective parenting.
Forgiveness as a Coping Skill
ArticlesIt can be challenging to focus on the reasons to be grateful and to actually practice forgiveness. The losses we have experienced, the pain, the sadness, the disappointment, the jealousy, and any other feeling you are having that can keep you in a place of feeling stuck and ungrateful can be overwhelming.
