Counselor’s Corner
The Gravity of Love: Reflecting on What Drives Our Decisions
Have you ever stopped to consider how the things and people that you love influence the decision you make? Speaker and writer Myles Munroe once shared a profound insight, saying, “Our life is the sum total of all the decisions we make every day, and those decisions...
Nutrition and Mental Health: Eating for a Healthier Mind
Student life is full of unpredictable events and circumstances. Some are challenging, and others delightful; many of both varieties are beyond our control. Students may experience unexpected criticism and plans that fall through or surprising compliments and happy...
The Power of Play: How Play Helps Kids Heal and Grow
"Play is what makes kids, kids. It's what they do," says human play researcher and psychology professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Alison Gopnik. Yet each decade, society has continued to edge play out of the regular rhythm of life for children and...
Everyday Mindful Practices to Strengthen Family Connections
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, school activities, and professional obligations—families often find themselves in a perpetual state of motion this time of year. It’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of life and lose connection with ourselves and...
Let’s Get Moving! Physical Activity’s Role in Building Strong Mental Health
In a world of ever-present distractions, it's easy to overlook the creeping signs of anxiety, depression, or frustration. Often the go-to remedies involve self-soothing distractions like substance or alcohol use, digital escapism, and comfort foods—but what if the key...
From Awareness to Action: How to Thrive Amidst Life’s Transitions
This recent viral video captures the moment a little girl suddenly realizes and unpacks her awareness of an unexpected but natural change: the falling of autumn leaves. The gentle exchange between this child and her father highlights three crucial elements essential...
Art Therapy: The Therapeutic Power of Creation
By Jacqueline Scheffler, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, CCTP The Essence of Art Therapy Art therapy is an intervention that combines the creative process through utilizing art materials, psychotherapy methods and the human experience to improve a person’s overall well-being....
The Silent Struggle: How Parental Mental Illness Affects Families
The Unspoken Reality of Parental Mental Illness The responsibilities and pressures that families face today are compounded for everyone when a parent struggles with their mental health. The pain and awkwardness of trying to communicate the situation to others often...
When Children Struggle with Mental Health: Encouragement for Parents
Many families in the U.S. have a loved one in the home struggling with mental illness; that loved one is often a child. The COVID-19 pandemic blindsided families, intensifying any mental health concerns already present. While students have returned to “normal” school...
Engage, Connect, and Grow: A Family Guide to Mindful Living
The Power of Mindfulness in Families As parents, much of what we do is aimed at creating harmony and connection within our families. Something that often gets overlooked, but can be a helpful tool in these efforts, is the practice of mindfulness. Finding...