When political violence and scary news fill our screens, kids feel it too — even when we try to shield them. In this post, California family therapist Abby McCarrel, LCSW, shares how to talk to your child about terrifying events in a way that's honest, age-appropriate, and grounded in brain science. Because what your child really needs isn't a perfect explanation — they need a regulated, connected adult by their side.
Exhausted by your child's big behaviors? California therapist Abby McCarrel explains why nothing has worked—and what actually changes things.
Not every therapist is equipped to work with complex, neurodiverse, or trauma-affected children and their families. And the wrong fit does not just waste your time — it can set things back. Here are the questions every parent of a complex child should ask before trusting a therapist with their family.
Something happens to your social world when you are raising a child with big, complex needs. Friendships quietly disappear. Family gatherings become something to survive. Nobody warns you about this part. Here is what is actually happening — and what helps.