In-Home Family Therapy Archives | S. Abigail McCarrel, LCSW, DCSW

How to Help Your Child Manage Their Anxiety

August 17, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

For many, childhood is the most wondrous and exciting time in a person’s life. But even when a child is growing in a loving and stable family environment, they can feel fear and anxiety and with Covid-19, childhood anxiety is on the rise. Think back on your childhood. Everything new was something to be not-so-sure of. It was easy to feel a bit anxious on the first day of school or meeting someone for the first time. A child often feels anxious at bedtime, having to go to the doctor or ...read more

Filed Under: Anxiety, Children Tagged With: 2e, ADHD, Anxiety, Anxiety in children, Anxiety in Gifted Children, Anxious Gifted Kids, Anxious kids, Childhood Anxiety, Family Therapy, family therapy for gifted, In-Home Family Therapy, In-Home Family Therapy for Anxiety, Parenting anxious children, parenting gifted children, Twice exceptional and anxious kids

How to Help Children Understand a Parent’s Depression

August 4, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Many parents experience clinical depression each year and it can be hard for kids to understand a parent's depression. As if the disease weren’t enough, recognizing its effects on your children can be quite painful. Studies have shown that children of depressed parents are at greater risk of not only developing depression themselves, but also of poor physical health, problems bonding, anxiety, poor self-esteem and aggressive behavior. Of course, different things will determine the severity of ...read more

Filed Under: Depression Tagged With: #Parenting, advantages of family therapy, depression, depression help, depression in children, depression in families, depression in parents, Family Conflicts, Family Connection, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, family therapy for giftedness, family therapy sessions, In-Home Family Therapy, why family therapy

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

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

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

How to Help Your Child Deal with Their Anger

February 17, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Many parents believe in the same myth: if they do everything right, their children will be happy. But that’s not how childhood works. No matter how much you love your child or how much you give to them in the way of attention and material items, kids are still going to experience all kinds of emotions, including anger. While childhood is filled with fun and wonder, it is also a time when children often feel a lack of independence, scared, and confused by the world around them. These feelings, ...read more

Filed Under: Adolescents/Teens, Anger, Children Tagged With: Anger, Anger and kids, Anger Management, Anger overload, child anger issues, child anger management therapy, Counseling angry children, Family Conflicts, Family Counseling, Family Therapy, gifted family therapy, giftedness, how to help my angry child calm down, In-Home Family Therapy, worry and kids

4 Reasons You Should Try Family Therapy with Your Teenager

January 26, 2020 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

As parents, it can be challenging raising a teenager. Teenagers are at the stage where they begin to question the beliefs and values they were raised with, while challenging authority and parental restrictions. Sometimes, teens are struggling with even more issues in their lives. A teen struggling with substance abuse, a mental health disorder, or behavioral problems can cause a great deal of strain on family relationships. While individual therapy will help your teen deal with their personal ...read more

Filed Under: Family Therapy, Teens/Children Tagged With: advantages of family therapy, Family Therapist, Family Therapy, family therapy benefits, family therapy for gifted, family therapy for teens, family therapy sessions, gifted family therapy, In-Home Family Therapy, is family therapy the right choice, parenting angry teens, teen therapy, therapy for teens, why family therapy

Connected Family Fun, LA; Aliso Beach, Laguna

September 5, 2018 by Abby McCarrel Leave a Comment

Beachy Tradition On this Connected Family Fun, LA; Aliso Beach, Laguna adventure, I spent some quality time with my youngest daughter, Kenzie. We have fallen into the tradition of spending a day at the beach together as a fun mother-daughter outing at least once every summer. Some trips are more successful than others. During the summer before Kenzie went off to college, we had a less than successful trip to the beach when we were both unexpectedly overtaken by the ocean tide. That outing ...read more

Filed Under: Beach Tagged With: #Adopted, #Aliso Beach, #Attachment, #Laguna, #Listening, #Mother-Daughter, #One-On-One Time, #Parent-Child Bond, #Parenting, Family Connection, Family Counseling, Family Therapy, Family Time, In-Home Family Therapy

Connected Family Fun, LA; Malibu Lagoon

August 22, 2018 by Abby McCarrel 2 Comments

The Minnow Would Be Lost! Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale; a tale of a fateful trip......Ahh, come on. You know the rest! Join me at Malibu Lagoon and we will play that broken record together. Who would have guessed that we have our own little tropic "island" nest, right here in LA? Connected Family Fun, LA; Malibu Lagoon does! Let's take a tour. It might take three hours. As your family travels to the coast, you will find Malibu Lagoon State ...read more

Filed Under: Beach Tagged With: Adamson House, Adoption, Child Therapy, Chumash Tribe, Family Counseling, Family Therapy, In-Home Family Therapy, Malibu Farm Restaurant, Malibu Lagoon, Malibu Pier, Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Mountains, Surfrider Beach

Connected Family Fun, LA: Arlington Gardens

June 25, 2018 by Abby McCarrel Leave a Comment

Arlington Gardens Arlington Gardens is a magical place for families, especially for the little ones. And, admission to the park is free. This 3-acre sanctuary is hidden on the corner of Arlington Drive and South Pasadena Avenue in Pasadena, California. The Durand estate, one of the most elegant homes in Pasadena’s “Millionaires’ Row,” once stood on this spot. This 17,000 square foot, 50- room mansion was once surrounded by stunning gardens and a perimeter of Cherokee roses. From ...read more

Filed Under: Parks Tagged With: adventure, Amphitheater, Arlington Gardens, Communication, Family Fun, Family Therapy, Gratitude, In-Home Family Therapy, Journey, Labyrinth, Picnic, Problem Solving, Public Garden, Spiritual