You watch your tween and notice the shift happening: the eye-rolls, the closed door, the peer drama. And you’re terrified of what comes next. Although terrifying, indeed, the tween years offer a unique window of opportunity to build emotional resilience, strengthen family bonds, and establish healthy coping skills before the more turbulent teenage years arrive. […]
In working with young people who have experienced bullying, one belief I’ve encountered stands out: the idea that people are inherently hateful toward those who are “different.” While this belief may reflect a painful lived experience, it can become a limiting belief that holds us back. Furthermore, it reinforces the very systems that allow bullying […]
I hated therapy as a child. I thought the whole idea was stupid. Sitting in the small room in the spot that was the furthest away from the therapist thinking “oh my god… when is this lady going to stop talking”. It was so so obvious that I didn’t want to be there. When individual […]
Welcome back to our series on supporting neurodivergent children through puberty. In Part 1, we explored the fundamental changes that occur during puberty—from the biological processes driving physical development to the complex social landscape shifts that most teens navigate. We examined how these universal experiences can present unique challenges for neurodivergent youth, including amplified sensory […]
A Journey Back in Time Before we dive into supporting our children, I invite you to take a moment and close your eyes. Think back to your own experience of puberty. Can you remember the intense mood swings that seemed to come out of nowhere? The desperate desire to fit in with your peers? The […]
Has this ever happened to you…. Today was a horrible day. Traffic into work was dreadful, that same person took your parking spot, again, and now your boss is breathing down your neck. So you do what you do, you reach out to your person. You tell them what a horrible day you are having. […]
Finding Support Through Life’s Changes with a NJ Licensed Counselor “Don’t ever change.” How many of us, if we flipped through our high school yearbooks, would find someone wrote this to us? The irony isn’t lost on me—could you imagine NOT changing from your high school self? I once had a former student approach me […]
Insight from a Child Therapist in Branchburg NJ Picture this: Your child is in the midst of an overwhelming meltdown. You’ve tried everything – reasoning, distracting, even pleading – but nothing seems to help. As their emotions escalate, you feel your own frustration rising, leaving you exhausted and wondering if you’re doing something wrong. As […]
By Jenna D’Angelo, LAC, Mindful Connections Counseling I am a proud mom to my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, who has taught me SO many lessons since the day she arrived. Some lessons are practical such as how to function on little to no sleep and complete household chores with one hand, while others are funny-but-true like […]
The AuDHD Mother’s Handbook: Affirming Therapy for Women in Branchburg, NJ Children are such joys, blessings, gifts. They are also loud, messy, unpredictable, and in a word, overstimulating. There are endless demands in parenthood. For neurodivergent mothers, the demands of parenthood can be particularly taxing. There is that nagging thought, that fear of never being […]
Parenting Advice from a Scotch Plains NJ Therapist The teenage years can be turbulent and overwhelming for parents. Your child feels ready for new responsibilities and freedoms, but you’re worried that they don’t always make the most responsible decisions. As your teen goes to parties, starts dating, and takes on the pressure of considering higher […]
Tips From A Teen Counselor in Scotch Plains, NJ As we are quickly approaching the new year, a new competition dance season is just around the corner, and the excitement and anticipation among teen dancers are unmatched. For many, this season represents a fresh start, new opportunities, and the chance to build their craft. However, […]
Raising an infant is a journey filled with joys, challenges, and countless learning moments. When your child has Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES), the already difficult journey of parenting becomes even more challenging and complex. What Is FPIES? Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) is a rare type of food allergy that affects the gastrointestinal system. […]
If you’re reading this then the probability is your child has received a diagnosis of selective mutism. You might be experiencing a multitude of feelings ranging from sadness and worry to frustration and even anger. There might be waves of grief as you think about the dreams you had for your child; making friends at […]
We live in a capitalist society that is constantly telling us we need more. More video games, more name-brand clothes, more vacations to Disney World. Truthfully, we don’t need those things. What we really need is connection. One of my favorite memories as a child is going for family bike rides around the neighborhood on […]