On The Blog
Thoughts From a Therapist on Anxiety, Trauma, & Relationships
With the high stress, high demand world we live in, the experience of burnout is not limited to adults. When you combine the demands of academics, extracurricular activities, social pressures, both on and offline, you have a recipe for complete and total burnout. As a licensed therapist who specializes in working with teens, I see this every day in my practice. The intensity and disconnection of the pandemic has made teens even more vulnerable to the effects of stress. In this blog, I’ll explore how teens experience burnout, its causes, signs, and how the effects of the pandemic continue to reverberate, increasing chances of mental health challenges.
If you feel like your teen might be experiencing anxiety, depression, or some other mental health issue, you’ve probably considered seeking a teen therapist. You might feel your teen would benefit from therapy but you worry they’d be resistant to the idea. Many teens may not talk with their parents about what they’re feeling but with some encouragement and support, they’re often relieved to have a space to talk. Here are some tips on how to approach your teen about starting therapy.
How to Practice Mindfulness When You Can’t Sit Still
You have probably heard that mindfulness is good for anxiety. You may have even tried to start a daily mediation practice. If you found it challenging to stick with, you are not alone. Many of my clients report having difficulty with meditation and come away with the conclusion that it doesn’t work for them. They might find that their mind is racing with thoughts, they focus on their breath and it becomes more tense, or they simply can’t keep their body still for any stretch of time. This is a common experience. If you’ve experienced trauma in your life, sitting still with your own thoughts and sensations may feel incredibly uncomfortable or even unsafe. So how do you get the benefits of mindfulness without sitting still?