General Archives - S. Abigail McCarrel, LCSW, DCSW

Benefits of a Mental Health Day from Work or School

July 5, 2021 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

There are many benefits of a mental health day from work or school. We’ve all had those days when the alarm goes off and we lie in bed, feeling depleted of our energy, and maybe even our good mood. We think to ourselves, “I’m not really sick, but I just need a break from real life today.” While taking a sick day is common when you are feeling physically unwell, what’s not as common – but perhaps should be – is taking a mental health day when you are feeling mentally and emotionally ...read more

Filed Under: Anxiety, Depression, General Tagged With: a mental health day, Family Therapy, gifted students' parents, mental health day, mental health day excuses, mental health day off, mental health day off from school, mental health day off from work, mental health day off work, psychotherapy, should I take a mental health day off, stress, stress of parenting, taking a mental health day, therapy for stress

Lean on Me: Why People with a Mental Health Crisis Need a Support Network

June 7, 2021 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Human beings have a need for social support for mental health. It stems from our ancestors needing to stick together to stay alive. Back in the day, those individuals who strayed from the group had a harder time surviving the elements and not starving to death. Connection is a biological imperative. While it is far safer to be an individual these days, that doesn’t mean it is healthy for us to be isolated, for isolation undoubtedly threatens a person’s mental well-being. It is for this ...read more

Filed Under: General Tagged With: #family therapy near me, depressed children, depression, depression help, depression help near me, depression in families, depression in parents, depression symptoms, depression treatment for children, finding my tribe, help for depression, how to overcome depression, online therapy Arcadia, social network, social supports

The Healing Power of Nature

May 24, 2021 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

One only needs to read a few lines from poets such as Frost, Wordsworth, and Thoreau to recognize the love for and connection to nature human beings have always had. Nature stirs our souls and imagination and brings beauty to our everyday lives. But it turns out, nature also brings a slew of benefits to our mental and physical health. The Healing Power of Nature Research is now clearly indicating that spending time outdoors can have a positive impact on our health. Whether you bike, hike, or ...read more

Filed Under: Anxiety, Depression, General Tagged With: earthing, ecotherapy, Family Therapist, family therapy for giftedness, family therapy sessions, forrest bathing, gifted and talented, gifted parenting, gifted students, giftedness, nature, online family therapy, online therapy, parenting gifted children, twice-exceptional

The Benefits of Online Therapy

December 15, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

There are many benefits of online therapy. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in innumerable ways. But, as stressful as this lockdown has been for most of us, we have learned much about ourselves as individuals and as a nation. Another silver lining that has emerged from this crisis is a new awareness and embracing of treatment tools that have been available for some time. Telehealth (or telemedicine) and online therapy have been around for decades but are now experiencing a surge in ...read more

Filed Under: General, Telehealth Tagged With: advantages of family therapy, CA, California, Family Counseling, Glendora, LaVerne, Monrovia, online counseling, online family therapy, online help for families, online therapy, online therapy Arcadia, Pasadena

Could Your Family Benefit from Family Counseling?

December 3, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 2 Comments

Does your family love and support one another unconditionally? Do you have fun together? Do you find talking with your spouse and children is easy and effective? If you had to really pause and think about your answers to these questions, there’s a chance your family may not be as cohesive as you once thought or hoped. And that’s okay, not every family acts like something out of a 1950s television sitcom. Most have their own fair share of problems. If you’ve never considered working with a ...read more

Filed Under: General, Parenting Tagged With: #Parenting, 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, gifted family therapist, gifted family therapy, gifted parenting, In-Home Family Therapy, online family therapy

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

5 Benefits of a Weekly Game Night for Your Mental Health

June 2, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Our daily lives can get so busy. Obligations to work and family, as well as taking time to care for ourselves, can often make us forget to have a little fun. If the hustle and bustle of modern life has caused you to neglect your playful side, a weekly game night may be just what you need, especially during these Covid-19 times. A game night will not only bring you laughter and enjoyment, but it will help you spend quality time with your friends and loved ones. But with so many commitments and ...read more

Filed Under: General Tagged With: 2e, Covid-19, Family, family game night, family game night board games, family games at home, Family Therapy, family therapy for giftedness, gifted and talented, gifted family therapist, gifted family therapy, gifted parenting, mindful parenting, positive parenting, stress, stress of parenting, why family therapy

How to Practice Self-Compassion

November 18, 2019 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Most of us from a young age are taught how to be kind, considerate and compassionate toward others. But rarely are we told to show the same consideration to ourselves. This becomes even more true for individuals brought up in abusive or unloving homes. What is Self-Compassion? Self-compassion is taken from Buddhist psychology and refers to how we can relate to the self with kindness. Self-compassion or self-love is NOT to be confused with arrogance or selfishness. In actuality, arrogance and ...read more

Filed Under: General, Issues for Women, Parenting Tagged With: lack of self-compassion, mind body soul time, mindful self-compassion, mindfulness, self-compassion, self-compassion counseling, self-compassion in therapy, self-compassion parenting, self-esteem, self-judgement, self-love, self-rejection, unlovable, why self-compassion is so hard, you are enough

Tips to Talking Mental Health with Your Teen / Child

October 18, 2019 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a mental health issue, you know firsthand how the diagnosis can impact your life. Mental illness is not only challenging for adults to understand but children as well. With so many myths and misconceptions surrounding mental illness, it’s easy for young people to feel anxious and confused. With this in mind, here are some tips on how you can speak to your child about mental health. Be Open Your child is most likely noticing a change or difference ...read more

Filed Under: Family Therapy, General, Teens/Children Tagged With: anxious parents, children and mentally ill parents, depressed parents, mental health in families, mental health issues, mental health talk and teens, mental illness in families, mental illness in parents, mental wellness in parenting, mentally ill parents, Parental mental health and teens, responsibility and mental illness, stress of parenting, support for mental illness in parents, talking to teens about mental health