For many, summer represents a stress-free pause before getting back to the regularly scheduled program. However, for some, the summer before a major transition is rife with anticipatory stress. Dr. Stephanie Correia introduces a few key points to consider if you are supporting a student or if you are navigating an academic transition yourself!Continue Reading
Many of us come from an upbringing where punishments were common, and we have been taught that using punishments is the main way to discipline a child or correct behaviour. But is it really the best way? Dr. Vanessa Kurdi want us to reconsider what we know and think more deeply about why we reach...Continue Reading
How best to respond when your child feels anxious or worried? Should you crack a joke to distract them? Reassure and say there’s nothing to worry about? Protect them from the source of their distress by avoiding it? Intuition often leads us in those directions, but the best strategies may be ones that help our...Continue Reading
Exploring and understanding reasons for a teen's reluctance to therapy - from fear of judgment, pride, or feeling forced by an adult, to prior negative experiences in therapy, disinterest, or confusion about the process - can help prevent mislabelling teens as treatment resistant. Dr Amanda Plokar shares pointers for parents to consider that can help...Continue Reading
School is where young people form relationships and learn lessons that will impact their futures but for children and teens in some situations, going to school can also be a major stressor. Can taking a break be a help or a hindrance to their well-being? Short answer: it depends. Dr. Sara Colalillo takes a look...Continue Reading
This is an intimate and beautiful observation from Connecte psychologist Dr. Simcha Samuel which speaks directly to the tender and complicated parental journey of discovery that happens between ourselves and our kids.Continue Reading
Stéphanie Correia introduces us to The Circle Of Security, a great tool for parents and caregivers to better understand children's attachment needs as they navigate the world around them. Mapping the flow between a child's dual needs for independence and safety, this beautifully mindful approach helps parents find the sweet spots for responding to those...Continue Reading
Validation is a term we hear more and more these days, and in therapist Candace Kensley's work with couples and families, it is something that comes up in almost every session. What does it mean, why is it important, and how can we use it to build better relationships? Let’s talk about it!Continue Reading
“People sometimes worry that if we offer comfort when children are upset, we are saying I accept your behaviour. What we are really saying is I accept your emotions.” - J. MilburnContinue Reading
As parents we don’t need to be perfect to be enough - there is a lot of value in being a “good enough” mom. Kids don’t need perfect parents. In fact, there is some evidence that helicoptering over our children makes it harder for them to learn valuable lessons about independence and making mistakes. Kids...Continue Reading
