Blog
Both parenting a child and being a child are tall orders in today’s climate, and we would like to offer this page as a resource for support and information to help you and your family. We will be sharing tips and strategies to navigate the numerous challenges that come with raising caring and courageous youth. Our goal is to add new material that ranges from original content, to great reads and videos from other experts, as well as articles in the mainstream media that offer additional insight.
We welcome your suggestions and feedback, and want to cover a variety of topics to help you and the community learn more. We encourage you to reach out if there are topics you would like us to cover, and questions you would like answered. And, if you find what you see to be helpful, please like our page on Facebook (@CenterForCBT) and tell your friends and family to do the same! We are very excited to be starting this project, and look forward to sharing this information with you.
How to Talk to Your Child About Starting Therapy: 7 Tips for Parents
Starting therapy can be a big step for your child, and you might feel unsure about how to begin that conversation. Whether your child feels nervous about starting therapy, or even excited to meet with a child psychologist, it’s helpful to prepare them for that first meeting. There are a few key talking points to help you navigate that discussion so that you can set your child and yourself up for success in therapy.
10 Tips for Self-Care this Holiday Season Using DBT Skills
The holiday season is a time of joy, but for some, it is also a source of stress. Practicing DBT skills like PLEASE and Cope Ahead can help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed during this busy time of year. By using these tools to help manage stress and anxiety, you can feel more confident in your ability to manage time-sensitive responsibilities.
Using DBT’s DEAR MAN Skill to Improve Family Communication
Visiting family during the holiday can bring about feelings of anxiety. Adolescents and young adults may also have concerns about how to navigate interpersonal conflicts that may arise. Practicing healthy communication strategies by using a DBT skill, like DEAR MAN, is an effective way to set and enforce personal boundaries while still maintaining healthy relationships.
Understanding MDD: Types of Depression, Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder that can negatively impact a person’s daily life by causing emotional, physical, and/or psychological impairments. Depression can take many forms and co-occur with other mental health challenges. This concern is treatable and symptoms can be relieved through a variety of therapeutic approaches. It’s important to know what signs to look for so that you or a loved one can seek out support.
Coping with Life Transitions: Mastering Change in Young Adulthood
Young adulthood is an exciting yet challenging phase filled with significant life transitions. This phase in life brings with it a host of changes— from entering college, to starting a new job, and managing evolving relationships. Practicing DBT skills and strategies can help you cope with the changes and find success in this next phase of life.
Back to School Anxiety: How to Help Your Child Prepare
The start of the school year can bring on feelings of anxiety in children with the introduction of new stressors. Back to school preparation begins long before the first day of school. Parents can help their child prepare for the transition by using strategies like validation and problem solving to help them find success.
Understanding Tourette Syndrome: Recognizing and Managing Tics
While there is no “cure” for tics or Tourette syndrome, there are effective management strategies. If a child is experiencing noticeable academic, social, emotional, or other quality of life challenges as a result of their tics, working with an experienced CBIT provider can help.
How to Support LGBTQ+ Youth: A Parent Guide
Acceptance from adult figures, such as parents, teachers, and caregivers, plays a crucial role in your LGBTQ+ child’s mental health and well-being. Supporting their gender and sexual identity can strengthen your relationship, boost their confidence and self-esteem, and pave the way for success.
DBT ACCEPTS Skills: How to Survive Life’s Hardships & Build Resilience
Unlock resilience with Dialetical Behavior Therapy’s ACCEPTS skills. Navigate life’s challenges effectively with evidence-based distress tolerance techniques from DBT. Focus on these practical distraction strategies to help effectively manage distress and build resilience in times of crisis.