gifted students 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

Mental Health Habits for 2021

August 23, 2021 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Good mental habits for 2021 are a must! We live in a society that seems obsessed with physical health and weight loss. A majority of people have tried one or more diets to lose weight. People join gyms, juice, and take supplements, all in an effort to optimize their physical health. Sadly, most people don’t give their mental health a second thought. The problem is, no matter how good you look in a bathing suit or how “ripped” you may be, or how low your cholesterol is if you aren’t ...read more

Filed Under: Adolescents/Teens, Anxiety, Depression Tagged With: Family Therapy, gifted family therapy, gifted students, mental health, mental health and gratitude, mental health and mindfulness, mental health and self-compassion, mental health counselor, mental health day, mental health help, mental health in families, mental health services, mental health therapy, psychotherapy, twice-exceptional

The Mental Health Dangers of an Overstuffed School Schedule

July 12, 2021 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

We all need reminders of the mental health dangers of an overstuffed school schedule, as we emerge from the pandemic. Many parents believe kids must be involved in numerous extracurricular activities to be successful adults. Perhaps we believe this abundance of activities will foster a sense of pride and accomplishment. But is this excessive involvement in activities doing more harm than good? According to a study published in the journal “Sport, Education, and Society,” the social demands of ...read more

Filed Under: Adolescents/Teens, Children, School & Academics Tagged With: #Parenting, 2e, advantages of family therapy, Family Conflicts, Family Connection, Family Counseling, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, family therapy for gifted, gifted students, online counseling, online family therapy, online therapy, overstuffed school schedule, stress of parenting

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

At Home Family Physical Fitness Ideas (during COVID-19 and beyond)

April 19, 2021 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Family physical fitness can bring families together. As many families continue to shelter in place together, they are finding it challenging to beat the stress and stay in shape. Exercising as a family is one-way families can accomplish both of these goals! And the good news is, there are plenty of ways families can exercise without the need of going to a public gym. Make Fitness a Game: Take a pack of regular playing cards and turn them into fitness cards. Hearts stand for crunches, clubs ...read more

Filed Under: Sports / Exercise Tagged With: #family fun time, #family physical fitness, #family systems therapy, #family therapy and adoption, #family therapy and gifted students, #family therapy indications, #family therapy near me, #parent education, #Parenting, Family Conflicts, Family Connection, Family Counseling, Family Therapy, gifted students, parent therapy

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

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 to Help Children Understand Terrifying Events

October 2, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

As a parent, your job is to make sure your kids grow and develop in a safe and healthy environment. To do this, you may need to help children understand terrifying events or situations. While it may be possible for you to control your immediate environment, your home, it’s simply not possible to ensure the greater world around your child is safe and free from trauma or natural disasters , civil unrest or Covid-19. The latest research points to the utter futility of trying to keep kids shielded ...read more

Filed Under: Children, Parenting, Trauma / PTSD Tagged With: #Parenting, advantages of family therapy, childhood trauma, Communication, Covid-19, Family Counseling, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, family therapy for gifted, family therapy sessions, Family trauma, gifted parenting, gifted students, why family therapy

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

4 Fun Activities for You & Your ADHD Child

July 12, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

If you have a child who has been diagnosed with ADHD, you know one of the main symptoms is hyperactivity. In other words, your child may seem to have an excess of energy, and all of that energy needs to be channeled. Let's look at some fun activities for ADHD. Unfortunately, modern kids are far less physically active than kids from just 20 years ago. It used to be natural for kids to be outside running around and riding bikes, but many of today’s kids spend their time sedentary, watching ...read more

Filed Under: ADD / ADHD, Children Tagged With: ADHD, ADHD and the family, Family Conflicts, Family Counseling, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, Family therapy and ADHD, gifted parenting, gifted students, In-Home Family Therapy, online family therapy, online therapy, Parenting and ADHD, parenting gifted children, Tips for handling ADHD