Suicidal behavior. Is it a problem? Sadly, suicide is the third leading cause of death in teenagers. Suicide attempts are an extremely serious issue. Yet, the “last straw” events that lead teenagers to attempt suicide are very common. They include situations such as family conflict or a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Another possibility [...]
Faith-based living. We all grow up with certain values, morals, religious beliefs, and traditions that were instilled by our environments and families. This is especially true here in western Pennsylvania where family values are an integral part of our lives. However, there also comes a time when these beliefs are [...]
Fighting with your ex-spouse is all too common in our world today. This is sad because, as a rule, more contact with both parents is better for children. But only if the parents’ conflict is contained. If fighting with your ex is uncontrolled, children may do better to see one [...]
Aging and the problems that it brings are an area that requires special skills and a special person. We are committed to helping to improve the quality of life for all of our clients and we are pleased to announce a staff expansion to help us do that for this growing area of our population. [...]
Caregiver Stress Caring for a loved one can be a very rewarding experience. You can give back to a loved one in their time of need, however the stressors involved can lead to damaging symptoms and caregiver stress or burnout. The demands of caregiving can feel overwhelming at times and if left unchecked they [...]
The Anxious Child: Dealing with Childhood Anxiety Childhood anxiety is a normal part of growing up. All children will experience anxiety at some point in their development. Different phases of development can lead to temporarily increased levels of anxiety. But sometimes, it isn’t just a phase. When do we know if a child needs [...]
“Why does my teenager cut themselves? How can my child cut themselves? What does cutting mean? Is my child suicidal because they are cutting? How can I help my teenager to stop cutting?” […]
I open my eyes and see the popcorn ceiling with its dimpled surface. The bed under me might be comfortable to most, but I have “Arthur” (arthritis) bad in my back and nothing has felt comfortable for quite some time. I turn my face slowly to the right and am met with a deflated sheet; [...]
Conflicted Divorce: What to Do? "I hate my ex, but I love my kids!" Conflicted divorce. Research makes it very clear. The more parents fight with each other the more psychological problems their children experience. This is especially true when children witness or overhear the conflict. Or when they are put in the middle [...]
I feel like she is just so clingy! We have all seen solid examples of shyness in children many times over. But when is a child’s shyness a problem? Being a shy child isn’t necessarily an issue! Shyness in children is a natural temperament sometimes called a slow-to-warm-up temperament. The shy child adapts slowly to [...]
