gifted and talented Archives - S. Abigail McCarrel, LCSW, DCSW

What is Emotional Incest?

September 20, 2021 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Emotional incest is troubling any time it shows up in families. Many of us grew up in households that were dysfunctional, where boundaries between parents and adults were blurred in unhealthy ways. Emotional incest is not sexual in nature. It does, however, describe unhealthy emotional interactions between adults and children that are psychologically damaging. In a real-life this looks like a parent treating their child as a partner, relying on them for emotional support and care. ...read more

Filed Under: Abuse/Neglect, family, trauma Tagged With: #parent education, #Parenting, emotional abuse, emotional incest, emotional incest examples, emotional incest in the family, family impact of emotional incest, Family Therapy, family therapy for emotional incest, gifted and talented, healing from trauma, parent-child relationship, psychological abuse, psychological neglect, trauma

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

How Learning Disabilities Affect a Child’s Mental Health

January 15, 2021 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

For many children and teens, learning disabilities are a frustrating part of life. Learning disabilities not only bring a sense of shame and isolation, but they can also lead to mental health issues in some children. What Are Learning Disabilities? According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a learning disability is any disorder of the fundamental psychological processes involved in understanding or using language. These can ultimately result in difficulties thinking, ...read more

Filed Under: Adolescents/Teens, Children, School & Academics Tagged With: #Parenting, 2e, Family Connection, Family Counseling, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, family therapy sessions, gifted and talented, gifted family therapy, gifted parenting, gifted students, giftedness, learning disabilities, therapy for learning disabilities, twice-exceptional

4 Exercises to Help Teach Young Children Mindfulness

September 21, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Let me help you teach young children mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of your body and feelings in the present moment. If you're silent for a moment, you will notice the subtle smell of your freshly washed clothing, the sound of your breathing, and watch a small leaf blow past your window. Mindfulness is an incredibly calming, relaxing practice that can help adults in numerous ways, and it may surprise you that it can help children, too. Studies have shown that children ...read more

Filed Under: Children Tagged With: Family, Family Conflicts, Family Counseling, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, family therapy sessions, gifted and talented, gifted family therapy, gifted students, mindful parenting, mindfulness, online family therapy, online therapy, parenting gifted children, young children

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

A Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression and Suicide

January 19, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

The statistics on teen suicide are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year, an average of 8% of American teens will attempt suicide. This makes suicide the second leading cause of death for kids aged 10 to 24. In fact, it is believed that more teenagers die from suicide than from cancer, pneumonia, birth defects, AIDS, influenza and heart disease combined. Studies have found that teens who have presented with a mood disorder or who abuse drugs are at the greatest ...read more

Filed Under: Depression, Parenting Tagged With: 2e, Family Therapy, gifted and talented, gifted parenting, national suicide prevention lifeline, parenting gifted teens, parenting suicidal teens, suicide, suicide assessment, suicide hotline, suicide prevention, suicide risk, teens, teens and suicide, therapy for suicide

4 Tips for Parenting an Above Average Child

October 4, 2019 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Parenting the Above Average Child If you’re the parent of a gifted child, you may be challenged with a unique set of circumstances. Your gifted child might be mentally above average, but have difficulty interacting with their peers; they may be immature, impatient, or easily bored. Your friends and family may look on in awe at your child’s abilities, blissfully unaware of the difficulties you face on a daily basis. Here are four tips to help you parent your above average son or daughter. 1. ...read more

Filed Under: Teens/Children Tagged With: 2e, family therapy for gifted, gifted, gifted and talented, gifted assessment, gifted classroom, gifted education, gifted family therapy, gifted parenting, gifted teacher, giftedness, overexcitabilities, parenting gifted, parenting gifted children, parenting gifted kids, twice-exceptional