Supporting Children and Teens with Germaphobia During Cold and Flu Season
Deb DePolo Deb DePolo

Supporting Children and Teens with Germaphobia During Cold and Flu Season

As the cold and flu season rolls in, many children and teens are grappling with heightened anxiety about germs and illness. While it’s completely normal for kids to worry about catching a cold or the flu, some may experience a level of fear or obsession about germs that goes beyond the occasional sniffle. This fear, often known as “germaphobia,” can create significant distress and impact daily life, particularly when kids begin avoiding social situations, school, or even touching everyday objects due to fears of contamination.

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Navigating the New Political Climate: Embracing Differing Opinions with Respect and Positivity
Brielle Smith Brielle Smith

Navigating the New Political Climate: Embracing Differing Opinions with Respect and Positivity

In today's increasingly polarized political climate, engaging with differing opinions has become a delicate art. With social media amplifying divisive rhetoric and ideologies becoming more entrenched, finding ways to engage in productive conversations is essential for both personal growth and fostering a healthier society. This blog explores how to deal with differing opinions positively, emphasizing respect, empathy, and active listening.

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Helping Your College Student Navigate Stress During Finals Week
Brielle Smith Brielle Smith

Helping Your College Student Navigate Stress During Finals Week

Finals week can be one of the most stressful times for college students. Between the pressure of exams, final projects, and the constant worry about grades, it's easy for students to feel overwhelmed. As a parent, you may not be able to take the exams for them, but you can provide critical support.

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Understanding and Supporting Children with Emetophobia: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Understanding and Supporting Children with Emetophobia: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Emetophobia, the intense fear of vomiting or seeing others vomit, can significantly impact a child's quality of life. Though less frequently discussed compared to other anxieties, this phobia is not uncommon and can lead to severe distress. Understanding this condition and knowing how to provide effective support can make a crucial difference in a child's well-being.

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Helping Anxious Children Prepare for a New School Year
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Helping Anxious Children Prepare for a New School Year

As summer winds down and a new school year approaches, many parents face the challenge of helping their anxious children transition smoothly back into the school routine. For children with anxiety, this transition can be particularly daunting, but with the right strategies, parents can make a significant difference.

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Be Kind...To Yourself!
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Be Kind...To Yourself!

Google kindness and you will find a plethora of quotes from the greats such as Maya Angelou, Mark Twain and many other recognizable names. My guess is that when you read quotes such as these, or words of wisdom from the Bible, you are thinking about the kindness you would like to show to others.

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Setting Healthy Boundaries in Relationships and Marriages
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Setting Healthy Boundaries in Relationships and Marriages

Boundaries are the invisible lines that define what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior in a relationship. They serve as guidelines that protect each partner’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being (Russo, Ollier-Malaterre, Kossek, & Ohana, 2018).

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Breaking Unhealthy Thought Patterns
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Breaking Unhealthy Thought Patterns

In this article we will focus on ten common unhelpful thinking styles/cognitive distortions. While reading, notice if any of these thinking patterns seem familiar to your line of thinking.

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Raising Awareness for Mental Health
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Raising Awareness for Mental Health

Mental health awareness has become increasingly important as more people recognize the significant impact mental well-being has on overall health and quality of life. Despite this growing recognition, there remains a substantial stigma surrounding mental health issues, making it crucial to find effective ways to raise awareness, promote understanding, and encourage support.

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Unraveling Stories: The Power of Narrative Family Therapy
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Unraveling Stories: The Power of Narrative Family Therapy

The family environment plays a crucial part in shaping our experiences, beliefs, behaviors, and overall well-being thereby impacting our contributions to others and society. A family’s values, beliefs, traditions, memories, and cultural heritage shape the legacy that families contribute to each generation.

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Overcoming Stigma and Promoting Mental Health Awareness
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Overcoming Stigma and Promoting Mental Health Awareness

Stigma around mental health often stems from misinformation, stereotypes, and fear. It manifests in various forms, including public stigma (societal attitudes and discrimination), self-stigma (internalized negative beliefs), and institutional stigma (policies that disadvantage individuals with mental health issues). These stigmas can lead to isolation, reduced opportunities, and reluctance to seek help.

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Summer: The Longest Days of the Year = Less Sleep
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Summer: The Longest Days of the Year = Less Sleep

You’ve probably heard of “the lazy days of summer”…but, are they really? Sure, there are no school schedules to keep, homework is a thing of the past, vacations abound, but with these fun activities you may find yourself staying up later to enjoy the longer days and rising with the first rays of light as the birds sing outside your window.

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