This blog is written by the clinicians at Jonah Green and Associates, a mental health practice based in Kensington, MD that provides quality services for children, teens, families, and adults. It is intended as a resource for families who are seeking to expand their knowledge about mental health and mental health services, and also as a resource for families who are seeking quality mental health services, especially in the mid-Atlantic region.
As a child and family therapist, I have often observed that the most formidable challenge for parents when interacting with their children lies in their nervous system. A person’s nervous system governs how they make sense of interactions and generate effective solutions. This system responds to internal and external cues, influenced by past experiences and
Teenage years are demanding, with adolescents facing increasing academic responsibilities, social pressures, and physical, cognitive, and emotional changes. While many teenagers thrive, others experience difficulties such as depression, anxiety, poor school performance, eating disorders, substance abuse problems, and conduct issues. Conflict within families may also increase as teenagers alternately reject adult directions, demand privileges, or
Sibling relationships are significant and often the longest-lasting. They profoundly impact our emotional and social development and well-being throughout childhood. As we move into adulthood, they frequently influence us as we venture out of our childhood homes and establish new families and relationships. Our relationships with our siblings as adults depend on the quality of
When I meet a parent and family whose teen is engaging in self harming behaviors the revelation is almost always met with high anxiety, sadness, and a whole lot of fear. It makes sense that finding out your child has been harming themselves would lead to a great deal of confusion and concern for most
This is a very common and appropriate question that parents ask me when scheduling the first session for their child. They might state concerns such as “I don’t want him/her to feel like something is wrong with him/her.” While this is understandable, therapy is usually a lot more anxiety-producing for parents than it is for