On the Epidemic of Fatherlessness in the Black Community
In 1965, the Assistant Secretary of Labor, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, commissioned a report on the state of the African-American family. The report was titled, The Negro Family: The Case for National Action. This famed report, which was later commonly referred to as “The Moynihan Report,” resulted in a great deal of controversy, but it unequivocally illustrated […]
When to be worried: A growing child and drugs and alcohol
Finally spring is here and before we know it summer will arrive, something many Chicagoans look forward too. We get to enjoy the city at last, the beaches, festivals, block parties, and music fests. With these events and activities comes the prevalent drink of choice: alcohol. As any Chicagoan is aware of, there is always […]
Demystifying Your Child’s Misbehavior
Understanding the misbehavior of children can be quite challenging at times, as their misconduct can present as a mystery to not only their parents, but the reasoning behind their misconduct is often unknown to the children themselves. Evidence of this can be seen when children say, “I don’t know” in response to their parents who […]
Back-to-School Season
This time of Back-to-school season can cause a variety of different emotions. After a long summer of relaxation, fun in the sun, and little responsibility, children can have a hard time adapting to the level of structure that learning requires. However, going back to school does not have to be a dreaded experience for parents […]
Tips for Back-to-School
The back-to-school season can be stressful for everyone involved. As parents, we want our children to have the best school year yet. Parents, here are three tips to keep in mind while supporting your children to prepare for the upcoming school year. 1. Remember that this is a time of mixed emotions. Dread. Excitement. Worry. All these […]
Do Children Actually Need Therapy? An Insightful Look into the World of Child and Adolescent Therapy
As a clinical therapist, who specializes in working with children and adolescents, I have been asked why children would ever need therapy. My answer is this: Why does anyone ever need therapy? People seek therapeutic services for a variety of reasons. Some seek therapy to aid them through a life transition, a death of a […]
Childhood Anxiety
Just like adults, children often struggle with anxiety too. They often worry about their grades, fitting in with their peers, or separating from parents. Although most children will worry, some kids experience excessive distress that causes severe impairment in their academic and social functioning. A study showed that 8% of teens between 13-18 years old […]
What is Trauma?
What is post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD? PTSD is an anxiety disorder that some people get after seeing or living through a dangerous event. When in danger, it’s natural to feel afraid. This fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is […]
Dreams for Our Children
Many parents have hopes and dreams of what their child will do or become in life. Do the goals that you have for your child line up with the goals that they have for themselves? If you are not sure how to answer this question, this may be a great conversation to have with your child. […]
5 Local Family Activities You Can Do This Summer
One of the most important ways to help children transition from the school year to the summer is provide structure to their vacation. Planning family outings and activities keep your kids learning while out of school, and give them a memorable summer experience. Listed below are 5 free activity ideas in the city that will […]