Teen depression can look a bit different from adult depression. In teenagers you might see more of a general irritability. Adults typically notice they feel depressed because their dominant mood is sad. Sometimes adolescent depression presents as sadness, but just...
Clarifying Morals for your Teenager
"So I totally think it's fine to steal from Target because they're a big corporation. I mean, who is it really hurting? They make tons of profits and they're just greedy anyways." This is something I heard straight from the mouth of a teenage client a few weeks ago....
Teen Girls and Eating Disorders
Parents of teenagers call me for a number of varying concerns, one of which is that their daughter has an eating disorder. Once in counseling for any reason, girls frequently reveal they believe they are fat. Of the girls who believe they are fat, a significant...
Why Teens Need Their Sleep
Why Teens Need Their Sleep: 1. It helps them concentrate in school. 2. It keeps their moods more even. 3. It keeps the immune system strong. 4. They have more energy. 5. It reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. 6. Teens who are sleep-deprived eat more junk food....
Connecting With Teens Instead of Only Disciplining
I am enrolled in an 8 week class on how to help parents of adopted children connect better as they bring the new child into their home. While I don't have any adopted children (hats off to those of you who do- what a loving and selfless act), I have gleaned some very...
Facing a Phobia the Gradual Way
As promised, here is a discussion on how to face a phobia gradually: Helping teens grow and families improve connection,Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
Overcoming Simple Phobias
Photo Credit: Stuart Miles/freedigitalphotos.net I have dealt with two simple phobias in my lifetime, and both terrified me enough to significantly alter my behavior and well-being. One was a fear of sleeping at other people's houses and one was a fear of vomiting. I...
Teen Depression
Hi everyone, I have been receiving a lot of calls from parents worried their teenagers have depression.Teenagers who are facing depression can show it in a variety of ways. Your teenager might be irritable. While he used to like to come hang around you, now he only...
Work Together As Parents
Yes therapists can be hypocrites. Here's my admission of guilt and my hope that you don't repeat my mistake: Helping teens grow and families improve connection,Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
OCD: Intrusive Thought or Realistic Thought?
I once had an OCD client who had a teacher yell at her. She became fearful of this teacher and started having obsessive thoughts he would pull her out of class to threaten or scold her. Because he had yelled at her once, her obsession was based on a good-sized kernel...