Mindfulness is choosing to exist differently. It means you are very intentional about experiencing the present moment. You also have to experience it without self-judgement. It often looks like savoring your present moment and finding things to be...
The Bible has a lot to say about worry...namely that you shouldn't. Here I share some words from Jesus that are truly wise when it comes to letting go of what you can't control, and what you don't need to try to control. Helping teens grow and families improve...
Without meaning to, we've let our kids fill their minds with intellectual junk food. We are taught to be very careful about what we eat so that we can keep our physical bodies healthy. In our culture though, we don't pay a lot of attention to feeding our...
Dad, do you feel irrelevant in her life? Do you feel like she's only bonded with mom? Do you feel like your daughter doesn't care what you think, or that she doesn't want to spend time with you? The research says she needs you. Here's why: Helping teens grow and...
While this is not California, the statistics from this article are still very interesting to think about. http://eastwindsor.patch.com/articles/christie-courts-mandatory-treatment-for-drug-offenders-26a17aed In the state of New Jersey it has been found that mandating...
If you want to be more self-assured, self-confident, have a higher self-esteem, and a better sense of self, then you need to stop focusing on yourself. What? You must be joking, right?No, I'm serious. When you want to work on yourself all the time, it is harder to...
Living anxiety-free means actively making choices to have less stress. Everything about our lives is fast, and intense. We're always trying to get ahead. We want the best grades for our teenagers so they can get into the best schools. We push them into a lot of...
Why are vacations better for connecting with family than being home together? While there are many reasons, one is that we're often unplugged. At home we go to different corners of the house and have personal screen time. On vacation we tend not to do that, and that...
Setting boundaries is hard. Accepting other people's boundaries can be harder. Here is a 60 second overview on boundaries with teenagers. Helping teens grow and families improve connection, Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
It's hard to discipline a teen. They definitely have a mind of their own, and are usually pretty good at arguing. Here are some things to keep in mind based on what I've seen work with clients in my therapy practice. 1. The consequence should make them think about...
Hello, I’m Lauren! If you notice your teen struggling, you might be feeling helpless, hopeless, frustrated or concerned as a parent. Try to remember, there is hope. I want to help your adolescent feel better. My hope is for them to enjoy their life again. I want them to feel confident they can handle whatever situations arise.
