Re-entry Blues: Helping Kids Transition Back to School After Winter Break

Blog post cover with children raising hands in classroom with text "Re-entry Blues Helping Kids Transition Back to School After Winter Break" in Lake St. Louis and Ballwin, MO child therapist help!

The excitement, warmth, and slower pace of winter break are a welcome relief for most kids—and parents too. Time off from schoolwork, early alarms, and busy schedules gives everyone a chance to recharge. But when January arrives and it’s time to return to school, many children (and families) experience what therapists call “re-entry blues.” If your … Read more

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

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

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

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

Whine-Free Zone: Strategies for Dealing with Summer Complaints

Kids upside down playing with text "Whine-Free Zone Strategies for Dealing with Summer Complaints" from a St. Louis therapist for moms, families, children, and more.

Ever notice how the sound of whining can turn a sunny afternoon into a thunderstorm—no matter how many fun plans you’ve made? If you’re a parent, you know that summer break brings its own unique chorus of complaints: “I’m bored!” “It’s too hot!” “Why can’t I have more screen time?” The truth is, even the … Read more

The Summer Slide: Keeping Academic Skills Sharp Without the Stress

Kids in a group reading from the same book in the grass with text "The Summer Slide Keeping Academic Skills Sharp Without the Stress". Learn from a St. Louis area therapist for children and teens how to help support academics over the summer.

Did you know that kids can lose up to two months of reading skills over the summer if they don’t stay engaged? For many parents in communities like Ballwin, Chesterfield, and Kirkwood, there’s a familiar worry that creeps in as the school year fades: Will my child lose the academic progress they made this year? … Read more