Family Therapy Archives - S. Abigail McCarrel, LCSW, DCSW

Just Plain Ol’ Boyhood or Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

October 20, 2021 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), can be confusing. The old expression “Boys will be boys,” describes types of behavior that may not be appreciated by parents (or sisters). These behaviors, though typically unwelcome, are rather benign in cause and effect. For instance, a typical boy might think it’s funny to put a frog in his sister’s bed. Two young boys might decide their older cousin’s wedding is the perfect place to show everyone their underwear. Typical boyhood behavior can ...read more

Filed Under: Family Therapy Tagged With: Family Counseling, Family therapist for ODD, Family Therapy, gifted students, gifted students' parents, ODD and family therapy, ODD help in children, online counseling, online therapy, oppositional defiant disorder, Oppositional defiant disorder and gifted students, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and School, Oppositional Defiant Disorder Behaviors, Oppositional Defiant Disorder Diagnosis, Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms, parent education for oppositional defiant disorder

Co-Parenting Strategies for Divorced Parents

June 21, 2021 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Co-parenting strategies for divorced parents can be learned. Going through a divorce can bring the worst out of a couple that once promised each other forever. Your world might feel like it’s falling apart, and trying to co-parent when you’re struggling to simply keep going can be overwhelming. Learning to co-parent won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible. Use the five strategies below to start co-parenting with your ex. 1. Focus on the Children By maintaining the focus on what’s best for ...read more

Filed Under: Family Therapy, Parenting Tagged With: co-parenting boundaries, co-parenting communication, co-parenting for divorce, co-parenting rules, co-parenting tips for dad, co-parenting tips for divorced parents, co-parenting tips for mom, divorce, divorce co-parenting, divorce therapy, family therapy arcadia ca, family therapy for co-parenting, how to co-parent after divorce, parenting for divorced parents

How Family Therapy Can Help During This Lingering Covid Crisis

March 12, 2021 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

It has been almost a year since the world changed with the Covid-19 virus. After months and months of being locked down, many families are experiencing burnout from being forced to be home together so much. Family therapy during covid may be the answer. While the vaccines are being rolled out, we are still getting mixed reports and messages from the media as to when life might return to normal. Some schools have opened, but many have not. Parents are still scrambling to figure out how to make ...read more

Filed Under: Family Therapy, Parenting, Telehealth Tagged With: advantages of family therapy, Family, Family Conflicts, Family Connection, Family Counseling, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, Family therapy and ADHD, family therapy for gifted, family therapy for giftedness, family therapy sessions, gifted family therapist, gifted parenting, online family therapy, online therapy

Helping Kids Cope with Loss

November 17, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Parents do their best to shield their children from the harsh realities of the world. Even with forethought, however, parents can’t always protect their children from experiencing the pain of loss. Whether it’s the loss of a beloved pet, a childhood friend, or the loss of a family member, helping kids cope with loss is a journey parents will need to take at some point during the parenting years. Here are some ways for helping kids cope with loss. Share What They Can Handle: Children have ...read more

Filed Under: Adolescents/Teens, Children, Family Therapy Tagged With: coping with grief, family therapy for grief, family therapy for grief and loss, grief, grief and loss, grief comfort, grief counseling, grief support for kids, grief therapy, healing grief, normal grief, pet loss, prayer for loss, stages of grief, therapy for grief

The Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Families

November 4, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

The mental health impact of Covid-19 on families is building. If you asked any of us a year ago what would life be like in 2020, it’s doubtful anyone would have guessed we’d be going through a global pandemic, replete with lockdowns and self-quarantining. At the beginning of the year, some families might have thought of being forced to stay home from work and school would be a fun little vacation. But as the weeks and months have passed, we’ve all learned this has been anything but fun. But ...read more

Filed Under: Family Therapy, General Tagged With: #Parenting, advantages of family therapy, Anxiety, Covid parenting stress, Covid-19, Covid-19 help, Covid-19 mental health help, Family Conflicts, Family Counseling, Family problems near me, Family Therapist, gifted students, online family therapy, stress, stress of parenting

How Therapy Can Help Families Be Resilient During COVID-19

July 2, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

How therapy can help families be resilient during COVID-19 is a burning topic these days. All of us have struggled in our own way to deal with the effects of the coronavirus. But if you are a parent, you most likely have even more concerns about the impact the virus and subsequent lockdown have had on the emotional health of your children. You’ve most likely taken certain precautions over the past few months to ensure your family’s health and well-being. You’ve made sure to social distance ...read more

Filed Under: Family Therapy Tagged With: #Parenting, 2e, advantages of family therapy, Communication, Covid-19, Family Conflicts, Family Connection, Family Counseling, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, family therapy for giftedness, family therapy sessions, gifted family therapist

4 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Family Therapist

May 18, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Seeking the guidance of a therapist is a wonderful way to fix your family’s communication problems and start the process of healing. But selecting a family therapist can be a daunting task, particularly when you are already struggling with emotionally pain or anxiety. To help you with your selection process, here are four questions you should ask when looking for a family therapist. 1. Should I Find a Provider that Takes Insurance or Cash Pay? Therapy is as much a financial commitment as it ...read more

Filed Under: Family Therapy Tagged With: #Parenting, 2e, advantages of family therapy, Communication, Family, Family Conflicts, Family Connection, Family Counseling, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, family therapy for giftedness, family therapy sessions, gifted family therapist, In-Home Family Therapy, parenting gifted children, why family therapy

How to Talk to a Loved One About Their Anger

May 1, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Anger is a normal emotion; one that everyone experiences from time to time, and one that’s healthy when expressed appropriately. However, for some people, anger is an emotion they express far too frequently, and in harmful and hurtful ways. Their anger gets out of control, and begins to seriously affect their life negatively. If you have a loved one whose constant outbursts of anger can make them unpleasant to be around, you may be wondering what, if anything, you can do. There are ways you can ...read more

Filed Under: Anger, Family Therapy Tagged With: All about anger, Anger, Anger and kids, Anger help, Anger in the family, Anger Management, Anger overload, angry parents, Causes of Anger, Family Therapy, Help for anger, Therapy for anger, therapy for anger in the family

5 Amazing Outcomes that Can Come from Family Therapy

April 16, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

The Coronavirus Crisis Make Family Stress Worse: Amazing family therapy outcomes are possible in this time of pandemic crisis. If you are struggling more than usual with worry for your family right now, you are not alone. Even if you or a loved one have not been personally affected by the virus, you may feel like you are sitting in wait for the other shoe to drop. So many of us are worried about getting infected. You may fear that germs can be transmitted via surfaces, clothing, food or ...read more

Filed Under: Family Therapy Tagged With: Communication, Covid-19, Family, Family Conflicts, Family Counseling, Family drama, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, family therapy for gifted, Family trauma, gifted parenting, online counseling, online family therapy, online therapy, teens

3 Ways Family Therapy is Often Misunderstood

March 17, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

People new to therapy often don’t know what to expect. They only know what they have heard about it. But there are many misconceptions surrounding family therapy, and I am going to debunk 3 of the biggest ones now. 1. Family Therapy Takes a Long Time Before You Get Results Many people’s perception of therapy is of someone laying on a therapist’s couch for years, attempting to work out their numerous problems. So, when parents hear the phrase “family therapy,” they assume it is another form of ...read more

Filed Under: Family Therapy Tagged With: Family, Family Conflicts, Family Connection, Family Counseling, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, Family therapy and ADHD, family therapy benefits, family therapy for depressed children, family therapy for gifted, family therapy for giftedness, family therapy for teens, family therapy sessions, gifted family therapist, In-Home Family Therapy