Supporting Children with ADHD and Anxiety Through the Holiday Season

Supporting Children with ADHD and Anxiety Through the Holiday Season with a St. Louis, MO child and play therapist.

The holiday season brings joy, excitement, and fun traditions, but for children with ADHD and anxiety, it can also bring sensory overload, disrupted routines, and emotional dysregulation. From crowded gatherings to unpredictable schedules, the very things that make the holidays special can also trigger stress. As parents, understanding your child’s unique needs and planning ahead … Read more

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

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

Anger, Resentment, and Fatherhood: What No One Tells You About Parenting Stress

Man yelling at his son. Anger, Resentment, and Fatherhood What No One Tells You About Parenting Stress and therapy for men in St. Louis, MO.

Fatherhood is often described as one of life’s greatest gifts. You see that message everywhere—from commercials that show playful dads and happy kids, to social media posts celebrating “dad life.” And, yes, there are moments when it feels like the most meaningful thing you’ll ever do. A bedtime hug. A proud cheer from the sidelines. … Read more

Things We Don’t Talk About, Part 2: A Day in the Life of a Teenager’s Parent (AKA: Did That Just Happen?)

Busy photos with overwhelmed mom and text: "A Day in the Life of a St. Louis Teenager's Parent"

You love them. You really do. But if you’ve walked out of a room lately and mouthed “What just happened?” to yourself—or caught your reflection mid-sigh because somehow your teenager just argued against showering—this one’s for you. No long lectures. No “10 easy steps to peaceful parenting.” Just real-life moments that remind you that you … Read more

Hey Athlete: You’re Allowed to Love Your Sport and Feel Burnt Out

Hey Athlete You’re Allowed to Love Your Sport and Feel Burnt Out from a St. Louis area child therapist.

Let’s get real: being a young athlete can feel amazing…and also, kind of exhausting. You love your sport—or at least, you used to.You’ve got drive, discipline, and big goals.You’ve made friends, had cool wins, and grown stronger than you ever thought possible. And yet… You might also be: This blog is for you—the kid or … Read more

From the Sidelines to the Heart: How Parents Can Emotionally Support Young Athletes

Blog post cover with youth soccer team huddling with text "From the Sidelines to the Heart How Parents Can Emotionally Support Young Athletes" from a St. Louis area child therapist.

If you’re parenting a child or teen in competitive sports, you’ve probably already heard about the mental health challenges that can come with it—burnout, pressure, anxiety, and self-doubt. You might have nodded along, recognizing moments where your child seems a little more irritable, withdrawn, or overwhelmed than usual. But now you might be asking: “Okay, … Read more

Faking Happiness? The Pressure on Teens to Seem Happy

Jumping teen looking happy with text "Faking Happiness The Pressure on Teens to Seem Happy" from a St. Louis area therapist for teens. Get help with teen counseling and therapy for teens in Ballwin, MO here.

Have you ever looked at your teen and wondered, “Is she really as happy as she seems?” You’re not alone. Recently, a mother shared with us, “My teen daughter seems to be faking happiness.” This statement echoes a growing concern among parents of teens in Ballwin, Kirkwood, Chesterfield, and throughout the St. Louis area. Today’s … Read more

Momming Ain’t Easy: Real Talk with Real Moms

Mom looking overwhelmed holding a baby with text: "Momming Ain't Easy: Real Talk with Real Moms" from a St. Louis, MO mom therapist.

Motherhood is a beautiful, rewarding journey–but it’s also one of the most challenging roles many women will ever face. If you’re a mom of young children, like two little girls ages 5 and 3, you probably know this all too well. You might feel exhausted, emotionally drained, and overwhelmed by the constant demands on your … Read more