Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder in Kids: Recognizing the Signs and Offering Support

Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder in Kids: Recognizing the Signs and Offering Support in St. Louis, MO

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, many of us feel a shift in mood. For some children, however, this seasonal change can bring more than just a case of the winter blues. It can trigger a form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). While SAD is often associated with adults, … Read more

Managing Holiday Stress: Helping Your Child Thrive Amidst Winter Break and Family Gatherings

Managing Holiday Stress Helping Your Child Thrive Amidst Winter Break and Family Gatherings

The holiday season brings twinkling lights, traditions, and cherished family time, but it can also usher in stress, overstimulation, and emotional upheaval, especially for children and teens. Between disrupted routines, heightened expectations, and complex family dynamics, winter break can become a mental health minefield. As parents, your support and attunement can make all the difference. … Read more

Grief in the Holiday Season

Grief and the Holiday Seasons in St Louis MO

The holidays can bring a complicated mix of emotions when you’re grieving. While the season is often filled with celebration and connection, it can also highlight the absence of someone you love. The lights, songs, and traditions that once brought joy may now stir sadness, longing, or even guilt for moments of happiness.  At Marble … Read more

For Men Who Carry It All: When “Handling It” Isn’t Working Anymore

Man at his laptop with head in his hands. Text reads: "For Men Who Carry It All When “Handling It” Isn’t Working Anymore"

If you’re a man in Ballwin, Chesterfield, Kirkwood, or anywhere in St. Louis, chances are you’ve spent years carrying heavy responsibilities. You provide, perform, and show up for others, often at the expense of your own well-being. From business owners in Clayton to dads in St. Charles, this drive to “handle it” runs deep, but … Read more

Co-Parenting Therapy: How to Strengthen Family Bonds After Divorce or Separation

Co-Parenting Therapy How to Strengthen Family Bonds After Divorce or Separation

Parenting is one of life’s most rewarding and challenging roles. When two individuals share the responsibility of raising a child, the dynamics of their relationship, whether they are together or separated, impact the emotional well-being of their children. Co-parenting therapy provides essential tools to navigate parenting together, fostering stability and collaboration no matter the relationship … Read more

How Holiday Expectations Impact Kids: Navigating Anxiety, Perfectionism, and Social Pressures

How Holiday Expectations Impact Kids Navigating Anxiety, Perfectionism, and Social Pressures

The holiday season is often pictured as a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration but for many children and teens, it can also be a source of stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. Between packed schedules, shifting routines, and the pressure to be cheerful or “perfect,” kids may find themselves struggling beneath the surface. As parents, … Read more

EMDR Therapy in Ballwin: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teen Heal

Mother and Child with Text: EMDR Therapy in Ballwin A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teen Heal

Is your teen struggling to cope with challenges at home, in school, or within their community? You’re not alone—parents in Ballwin, Chesterfield, and throughout St. Louis often feel overwhelmed as they watch their teens battle stress, anxiety, past traumas, or big life transitions. When traditional talk therapy isn’t quite the right fit, EMDR therapy (Eye … Read more

Warning Signs of Depression in Teens During the Holidays: What Parents Need to Know

Teen looking sad, sitting with head on legs. Text reads: Warning Signs of Depression in Teens During the Holidays What Parents Need to Know" from a St. Louis Therapist for Teens in Ballwin, MO and St. Louis, MO

The holidays are often painted as a season of joy, connection, and celebration. But for many teens, this time of year can amplify feelings of isolation, sadness, and stress. Between disrupted routines, social pressures, and complex family dynamics, holiday mental health challenges can quietly take root, and depression may go unnoticed. As a parent, knowing … Read more

But Won’t They Get Behind? Reframing the Guilt About Missing School for Therapy

Blog post cover "But Won’t They Get Behind Reframing the Guilt About Missing School for Therapy" Thoughts from a St. Louis area play therapist for children.

If you’re a parent in Ballwin, Kirkwood, Frontenac, or anywhere across St. Louis, you’ve likely felt a pang of guilt at the thought of pulling your child out of school for therapy. You might worry about missed instruction, falling behind, or how teachers and other parents will perceive your decision. This concern is deeply rooted … Read more

Is It Okay to Miss School for Therapy?

Is It Okay to Miss School for Therapy? Thoughts from a St. Louis area play therapist for children.

As a parent, you’re constantly making choices that shape your child’s well-being—from keeping them safe and supported to helping them grow emotionally and academically. But sometimes, even the smallest decisions bring up big questions. Why Midday Appointments Might Be Exactly What Your Child Needs One common dilemma for many parents is whether it’s okay for … Read more