In the serene suburbs of West Hartford, nestled amidst leafy streets and a close-knit community, Guidance and Growth Family Counseling stands as a beacon of hope and healing for families navigating life’s challenges. With a commitment to fostering stronger familial bonds and promoting mental well-being, this counseling center offers a tailored approach to therapy that […]
In the best circumstances, early attachment is how babies optimally survive, emotionally and physically. Most mothers are wired to protect, love and provide security to their newborn. Babies are innately wired to seek out and stay connected to their mothers. Without this kind of connection, babies can struggle and fail to thrive. Ideally, this natural
As I mentioned in my last blog, your teen is wired to engage in all kinds of risky behavior, including substance use. Your teen has three main issues separating them from adults and younger kids: First, their Executive Functioning system is still developing. Unlike adults, whose Executive Functioning is, in general, fully developed, teens are
Why Your Teen is Hardwired for Substance Abuse, Pt. 2 Read More »
If you’re the parent of a teenager, I imagine you’ve lost some sleep worrying about your teen and substance abuse. We all know teenage years are a time when most kids experiment with substances, but, in the past, the primary worry had always been teen drinking and driving. While this continues to be a serious
Parenting is complicated, and being the parent of a special needs child adds a layer of complexity to that complication that most would find overwhelming. One of the most important things for you to do as a special needs parent is to take care of yourself. That may seem like a little bit of a
by Dr. Kathryn Scheffel Learn to regulate your own emotions before addressing your kid’s. Before reaching out to their children, however, Mom and Dad first need to take stock of their own feelings and learn the concept of parent self-care. Our kids take their cue from us on how to interpret the world around them, especially when they
by Dr. Kathryn Scheffel One of the best ways to help a child’s self-esteem is through positive reinforcement. Research by Dr. John Gottman, renowned couple’s therapist, revealed that it takes five to seven positive comments to overcome the impact of a single negative one. This is an impressive and significant clinical finding. Although originating from
“Catch Your Child Being Good” & Other Positive Parenting Techniques Read More »
