Children ages 3-9 years-old often struggle with life transitions. These stressors could include the birth and adjustment to a new sibling, a family relocation, separation, divorce, death of an animal or loved one, starting school, virtual learning, etc.

• Do you have a child that is being defiant, acting out, or having temper tantrums? 

• Are these behaviors out of proportion to the current situation? 

• Have they regressed in learned activities like potty training or skills already mastered in school?

• Has your child become clingy, and/or  having more frequent crying or meltdowns? 
  Are they hitting, kicking, or screaming at adults? 

These could all be symptoms of anxiety or depression. 

Counseling may be a helpful way to learn how to distinguish between defiance and anxiety. Often the problem is not the behavior. The behavior is almost always a symptom of a deeper issue.

This covers an important and often difficult time in life. These individuals are going through puberty. Furthermore, they are becoming more peer and electronic dependent. Self-esteem, self-worth and  body image are also being questioned. During this time, situational stressors, family dynamics,  and any of the above- mentioned life transitions children often experience may increase teen anxiety or depression.

• Is your adolescent or teenager’s behavior out of proportion to their current stressors? 

• Are they acting out with meltdowns, crying, or screaming? 

• Is your adolescent saying angry hurtful things? 
  Are they destroying things when they are angry? For example, kicking doors or throwing electronics when angry.

• Are they self-harming or engaging in risky behaviors?

Additional anxiety and depression symptoms could include very frequent: 

• Feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of dying

• Isolating self from family and/or friends

• Concentration/focus concerns

• Poor academic performance

• Sleep pattern changes

• Significant changes in body weight

• Increased fatigue

These young people are transitioning into adulthood. They are searching for a sense of self and personal identity. This is accomplished through an exploration of personal values, beliefs, and goals. During this time of life, teens and young adults will re-examine their identity while trying to discover who they are. This is often a time of excitement, discovery, and confusion. 

If you are in this age range or you are a parent of a teenager or young adult  that is experiencing any of the above behavior symptoms counseling may be an excellent option. Counseling will provide a nonjudgmental environment to explore these life transitions. Personally, I love working with students. I will provide safety to explore, as well as challenge these individuals to think critically while discovering their views on self and others.

Being a woman in today’s society brings increased pressure and challenges. Life stages, situational stressors, and the unforeseen things that life throws at us can be overwhelming. Recent or past trauma can make life unmanageable.  Often struggles with personal identity, how women relate to themselves, others close to them, and their community can be challenging. 

So, whether you are a young exhausted mom needing a place to discuss parenting or marital concerns, a middle-aged woman going through an unexpected divorce, or experiencing empty nest, counseling provides a safe place to be allowed to process, discuss, grieve, and heal.