Simple Strategies to Engage Your Child – by Lauren Ogren, MFT – You: “How was school?” Your teen: “Fine.” -Silence- If this happens to you, you’ve probably felt frustration, tension and feelings of helplessness as your teen appears to give more attention to her smart phone than to her family. How can you get more than a one word response from your teen …
Your Teen Daughter – Teaching Her Accountability
– by Jessica Gray – When you first held that bundle of joy wrapped in her little blanket, you were overcome with love and joy. Your child represented new life, a new opportunity and your life’s biggest responsibility. As you navigated the late nights, the early mornings and the first years of walking, talking, preschool and kindergarten, you often reminded …
Inspire and Energize Your Teen
– Setting the Stage for Inspiration – This week I listened to the song “Waving Flag” by K’Naan. K’Naan is a Somali rapper and musician with an incredible story of overcoming adversity to achieve fame as an international superstar. His song was used as the theme for the 2010 World Cup, and it always gets me choked up, even five years later. …
"Does my teen have a pot problem?"
by Marcus Moore, MFT Whether your teenager has just tried marijuana for the first time, or you know she’s been using for a while, worrying about your teen’s drug use can be one of the most stressful parenting issues you face. During my first conversation with parents I often hear, “…and he’s been smoking pot lately, but I’m not sure if …
Social Skills Group Starting September 2, 2014
I’m excited to announce that the Fall session of my CONNECT social skills group for boys age 11-14 starts on Tuesday, September 2 at 5 pm. Last year’s group was fun and meaningful, and I’m looking forward to putting together another group of up to six Jr. High-aged boys to work with each other on improving their ability to …
"Don’t Ever Let Them See You Cry!" – Teen Boys and Anger
“He just can’t control his anger! He’s upset all of the time!” Whether a boy is acting out (fighting, yelling, throwing things, arguing) or just walks around with a sullen and hardened look on his face, most parents can easily tell when their son has a problem with his anger. Anger is overt, easy to spot, and often expressed aggressively. …
5 Tips for Supporting Your Anxious Teen
On October 16, Sierra Dator, LCSW, and Marcus Moore, MFT presented a free parenting event at Cherry Valley School in Petaluma. We spoke on the topic of anxiety during the “tween” and “teen” years. Many thanks to the parents and teachers who attended this event! We appreciated the interest and enthusiasm for supporting teens during this often stressful time. Below …
A Key to Success in Therapy
I want to share with you something that has helped many of my clients, teens and families, achieve positive changes in therapy. It may sound simple, even cliché, but learning to set clear goals and stay focused on them often makes the difference between success and long, drawn out struggles. Often, when teens come in for therapy they have a …
During and Post-Residential Treatment Counseling
“My Son is In Residential Treatment. Now What?” by Marcus Moore, MFT Sending your teen to a residential treatment center is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make. This post is for those parents who have already made that choice. I want to talk a little about seeking support for yourself while your son is in a residential or …