Childhood anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are common mental health challenges that affect many young minds. As parents, we play a pivotal role in…
Connections Child and Family CenterSeptember 20, 2023
Connections CFC Blog
Feeling overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of life? Longing for a moment of tranquility amidst the chaos? Say hello to paced breathing –…
Connections Child and Family CenterSeptember 18, 2023
In the realm of emotional intelligence, the GIVE skill shines as a true gem. GIVE, a fundamental component of DBT, stands for Gentle, Interested,…
Connections Child and Family CenterSeptember 13, 2023
Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, and sometimes, we need effective tools to navigate the challenges that come our way. Enter…
Connections Child and Family CenterSeptember 11, 2023
Based on Polyvagal Theory Polyvagal Theory or the “science of feeling safe,” is another one of the key research advancements that helps us better…
Connections Child and Family CenterAugust 29, 2023
What is DBT and what does it treat? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was founded in the late 1980s by Dr. Marsha M. Linehan, a…
Connections Child and Family CenterAugust 23, 2023
Emotions are an integral part of the human experience, they inform us about the world around us and what’s important to us, and they…
Connections Child and Family CenterAugust 11, 2023
Trauma can feel like being caught in a storm, with emotions overwhelming us and our thoughts spinning out of control. During these moments, grounding…
Connections Child and Family CenterAugust 8, 2023
Eating Disorder or Disordered Eating? By Shannan Blum, LMFT, CEDS As a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS), the most common questions I get about…
admin_laurenJune 8, 2023
What is a DBT Skills Class? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy that helps people learn skills to manage their emotions,…
admin_laurenJune 7, 2023
Dr. Marsha Linehan, the developer of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), has a section in her recent memoir titled, “DBT Skills are Life Skills.” She…
admin_laurenMarch 21, 2023
Postpartum Mental Health “I’m so overwhelmed. I don’t know what to do.” “I can’t stop crying. I will never feel happiness again.” “I…
admin_laurenMay 6, 2022
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) 101: What is it and how can it help you? by Shannan Blum, LMFT Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was initially…
admin_laurenApril 11, 2022
Attachment and Attachment Problems By: Dr. Kimmy Griffin Maybe you have heard of a psychologist or doctor who uses the phrase “attachment.” They are…
admin_laurenDecember 6, 2021
By: Shannan Blum, LMFT Assistant Director Connections Child & Family Center is a trauma-informed organization as well as one whose clinicians are trained in…
admin_laurenNovember 17, 2021
Understanding The Toxicity of Perfectionism By Shannan Blum, LMFT, CCATP-CA Having worked almost a decade with clients who suffered from eating disorders, severe anxiety…
admin_laurenOctober 5, 2021
What is PCIT?Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a positive, direct, and intensive therapy that helps both parents and children work on their parent-child…
admin_laurenSeptember 30, 2021
Shame versus Guilt By Shannan Blum, LMFT, CCATP-CA Guilt and Shame can be confusing to many, and yet they influence our…
admin_laurenSeptember 1, 2021
How Do We Manage “Re-Entry Anxiety?” How it Developed and Tips on How to Reduce It By Shannan Blum, LMFT, CCATP-CA It’s everywhere…
admin_laurenAugust 12, 2021
Like many families, we are gearing up for summer travel with kids. The parents we work with often ask for toy recommendations. Here are…
admin_laurenMay 25, 2021
Ever think about pursuing psychological testing for yourself or a family member? Recently, our founder Dr. Lauren Pasqua discussed the uses for psychological testing…
admin_laurenMay 25, 2021
We get questions all the time at Connections Child and Family Center about the role of psychologists. Recently, our founder Dr. Lauren Pasqua…
admin_laurenApril 27, 2021
Last week, I turned forty. This is a major milestone to some people, and it had got me thinking and reflecting on my life…
admin_laurenMarch 31, 2021
Have you ever wondered, “what is the right way to raise my children?” Or, “what is the best strategy for when my child has…
admin_laurenFebruary 12, 2021
Many of our behaviors stem from something deeper, so take a moment to HALT and check in with yourself. Step back and evaluate,…
admin_laurenFebruary 5, 2021
Creating a Coping Toolbox for Stress If you are like us, you're probably wondering why in heck your kid (s) are doing some things…
admin_laurenJanuary 20, 2021
Everyone experiences stress, kids included! We feel stress in reaction to both positive (e.g., preparing for a party or wedding) and negative situations (e.g.,…
admin_laurenNovember 30, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2H-RAiBJs4 4:40 – 4:59 Big emotions – Big feelings in kids. I like to give a framework to understand where those feelings are…
admin_laurenSeptember 29, 2020
To Go To School, Or Homeschool, That is the Question? by Kelly Guidry, LPC-S In the last few days I have woken up in…
admin_laurenJuly 29, 2020
Arguments and rivalry between siblings is inevitable, but has become more challenging than ever amid the close confines of forced quarantine. Kids are missing…
admin_laurenMay 22, 2020
As we grow and mature, we gain new relationships as we go on. Some are romantic, while others are friendly. And still others are…
admin_laurenApril 28, 2020
Our new stay-at-home/ work from home reality is bringing new challenges to parenting and managing our jobs. Many of us dreamed of working from…
admin_laurenApril 24, 2020
by Kelly Guidry, LPC-S With school districts rolling out remote learning faster than ever before, we thought it may be helpful to give you…
admin_laurenApril 18, 2020
This has been a very stressful and fast-paced few weeks. Things are changing daily, and we have to make drastic shifts to our routines,…
admin_laurenMarch 28, 2020
Most parents want to be sure their child has cognitive intelligence that’s on par with whatever might be appropriate for their age group. But…
admin_laurenMarch 24, 2020
By Kelly Guidry, LPC-S Now more than ever is the idea of an at-home schedule or routine both necessary, and daunting. With kids being…
admin_laurenMarch 19, 2020
With the increasing uncertainty and growing number of individuals infected with the novel Corona Virus in our communities, Connections Child and Family Center has…
admin_laurenMarch 17, 2020
5 Ways to Handle Relationship Conflict and Strengthen Your Bond No relationship is perfect, and conflicts do occur. Just because you have disagreements with…
admin_laurenMarch 17, 2020
Dear Client, As the news surrounding COVID-19 (the disease caused by the coronavirus) evolves, the main priorities of Connections Child & Family Center remain…
admin_laurenMarch 13, 2020
According to a 2019 Common Sense Media survey, teenagers spend an average of 9 hours per day on digital technology. This includes entertainment like playing…
admin_laurenMarch 10, 2020
No matter how perfect your relationship felt at the start, it’s going to take work to build a successful and long term marriage. Granted,…
admin_laurenMarch 3, 2020
As a society, much of our communication has become limited and task focused. And worse, done through impersonal technology. Compassion and care for the…
admin_laurenFebruary 15, 2020
Every child is exceptional in their own way. But the term “twice-exceptional kids” focuses on children who are both gifted and challenged. What does…
admin_laurenJanuary 28, 2020
It’s normal for kids to get angry from time to time. We all do, and we shouldn’t expect anything different from our children. Sometimes,…
admin_laurenJanuary 21, 2020
Your son is ignoring you while your daughter is angry. What do you do? In a typical family, this would not be an easy question. However,…
admin_laurenJanuary 20, 2020
Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. Expectations are heaped upon mothers in countless ways. Myths disguised as truth are everywhere. They might…
admin_laurenJanuary 14, 2020
According to research done by Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, people either have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. These terms refer to…
admin_laurenDecember 31, 2019
While it’s true that teen depression seems to impact girls more often, teen boys certainly aren’t immune. In fact, the mental health statistics surrounding…
admin_laurenDecember 17, 2019
When you’re going through a divorce, it’s important to remember you’re experiencing a loss. Whether you ended things on amicable terms or things hadn’t…
admin_laurenDecember 10, 2019
You’ve probably heard the saying that you should have an “attitude of gratitude.” Well, what if that saying was more than just something to…
admin_laurenNovember 26, 2019
By Teresa Mohr, LMFT, RPT Why do you use art in therapy? This is a question I sometimes hear from new clients when I…
admin_laurenNovember 12, 2019
Teenagers have plenty to learn about life and many challenges to navigate along the way. Of course, there’s school and deciding what to do…
admin_laurenNovember 11, 2019
Many people think that depression is synonymous with sadness. But clinical depression is so much more than simply feeling sad. If you’re struggling with…
admin_laurenNovember 5, 2019
When you hear the word “grit,” what comes to mind? Now, think of it in terms of people—specifically, children. You’ll probably associate it with…
admin_laurenOctober 29, 2019
For every girl diagnosed with autism, four boys will be diagnosed. Is that because autism truly occurs more often in boys? Or could it…
admin_laurenOctober 15, 2019
As adults, we might not think much about “playing,” or its importance. For a child, however, playing is a natural form of communication, learning,…
admin_laurenSeptember 30, 2019
If you’ve ever been described as a perfectionist, there are probably several different ways you can take it. In some cases, perfectionism can be…
admin_laurenSeptember 24, 2019
Divorce is a difficult process, no matter what. When children are involved, however, it can be even harder. There are more questions to answer,…
admin_laurenSeptember 16, 2019
Romantic relationships are challenging at any age, but especially for teenagers. That’s because teens are at the latter end of childhood and figuring out…
admin_laurenSeptember 10, 2019
There are many benefits to traditional one-on-one counseling, but this approach is not best for everyone. If you are looking for a way to…
admin_laurenSeptember 6, 2019
More children are being diagnosed with anxiety disorders than ever before. Some data has even suggested that many children feel worried most of the…
admin_laurenAugust 29, 2019
Recently in a session a kid told me, “On the first day of school I’m hiding under my bed.” The lazy days of summer…
admin_laurenAugust 9, 2019
Biofeedback can help with a variety of health conditions—from headaches and asthma to chronic pain and high blood pressure. But it can also be…
admin_laurenJuly 29, 2019
As a parent do you ever feel as though you are constantly telling your child what not to do? “Don’t run in the house,”…
admin_laurenJuly 22, 2019
Did you know that nearly half of all children with ADHD also have some other type of mood disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or learning disability?…
admin_laurenJuly 15, 2019
If you have a child with ADHD or a learning disability, it doesn’t mean they can’t get the most out of a collegiate experience.…
admin_laurenJuly 8, 2019
Do you feel like you are constantly having to break up arguments over the silliest things? Are you constantly trying to balance who gets…
admin_laurenJuly 1, 2019
Divorce isn’t always easy to navigate for the couple who is going through it. It can be messy, stressful, hurtful, and… just not fun…
admin_laurenJune 24, 2019
By Kelly Guidry, LPC-S A few nights ago my family was sitting down to eat dinner when our 4 year old daughter announced that…
admin_laurenJune 10, 2019
It’s not abnormal for children to be shy or even a bit nervous in social situations. The world is still new and they’re still…
admin_laurenJune 7, 2019
With Memorial Day in the rear-view mirror, and temperatures soaring into the 90’s, many of us are excited to begin an enjoyable summer. We…
admin_laurenJune 2, 2019
By Kelly Guidry, LPC-S Much anticipation is brewing as summer is quickly approaching. Kids are ready to be done with school and vow that…
admin_laurenMay 28, 2019
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) was created to improve the relationship you have with your child. It uses child-directed interaction couple with coaching to teach…
admin_laurenMay 23, 2019
When adults experience a traumatic event or situation, therapy is often very beneficial. While it can be a long road to recovery, trauma therapy…
admin_laurenMay 17, 2019
Most people will experience a depressive episode at some point in their lives. And some of those will deal with clinical depression that persists…
admin_laurenMay 7, 2019
"Just a Kid" or Something More? Is your child having trouble focusing at school? Does your child act first and then think? Is Homework taking…
admin_laurenMay 7, 2019
Praising Your Child By Kelly Guidry, LPC-S Have you ever gotten feedback to the tune of “good job”, “great work”, or “awesome”? Did you…
admin_laurenDecember 18, 2018
By Kelly Guidry, LPC-S Have you ever been in the grocery store and your precious, sweet, kindhearted child decides they want cereal and they…
admin_laurenDecember 10, 2018
Teen Grief and Loss When we think of experiencing loss, we think of the death of a loved one. But, loss can be experienced…
admin_laurenOctober 9, 2018
Medical Play Therapy What is medical play therapy? Play therapy is helpful for children who have an illness or must have surgery that requires…
admin_laurenFebruary 27, 2015
What to Do: After a New Autism Diagnosis Whether you are reading this article because your child has just received an autism diagnosis or…
admin_laurenFebruary 27, 2015
Helping Infants and Preschoolers Cope With Medical Procedures, Illness, and Hospitalization Almost all children will experience medical procedures (e.g. lumbar puncture, injection) during childhood…
admin_laurenFebruary 27, 2015
How to Choose Autism Treatment By Lauren Pasqua, Psy.D. What Type of Treatment? One important type of treatment will probably be speech and language…
admin_laurenFebruary 27, 2015
What Makes a Good Autism Assessment? Researchers and clinicians in the field of autism and autism spectrum disorders (e.g. Asperger’s Disorder) consistently identify the…
admin_laurenFebruary 27, 2015
The newest research suggests that autism is now affecting up to 1 in 88 children. That makes it certain that someone you know will…
admin_laurenMay 23, 2012
I remember the days when I wasn’t sure about this therapy called, “Floortime.” I came from a strong behavioral approach (ABA-incidental teaching) to therapy…
admin_laurenApril 13, 2012
Autism Prevalence As many of you know, last week the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revealed their newest research which suggests the autism prevalence…
admin_laurenApril 11, 2012
There are many misconceptions and mistaken beliefs about hypnosis and many people’s fears associated with hypnosis are based upon myth. This is often due to…
admin_laurenMarch 7, 2012
Therapy can help. Like older children or adults, infants and toddlers sometimes have problems with their behavior or emotions when they experience stress. Stress…
admin_laurenFebruary 3, 2012
As a trained infant mental health provider, I am aware that many people do not understand the work I do or why therapy for…
admin_laurenFebruary 3, 2012