By Ginny Vose, Counseling Intern with JCAC

As a young teacher, I worked with a wonderful Pastor who was committed to serving those members of society that serve the community. I watched as he taught us all to stop and pray each time we heard a siren go past the school. He urged us to pray for, not only the victim, but the first responders who were rushing to the scene to help. This behavior became a habit for me that remains to this day.

Before I say anything about this subject, please let me share that all of you who are on the frontlines, fighting the war against Covid-19 and to all those who run toward danger, please know that you have my heartfelt thanks. You are always in my heart and i...

Written by Rachel Butler, LAPC. Counselor with JCAC

Teenagers are facing a unique challenge during COVID-19. During this stage of development, adolescents are more in the present and focus on the short term. They focus on prom, the end of the school year, and summer. While adults can see the big picture 5, 10, and 20 years from now. With that, teens perceive “their world ending,” and they will grieve it as a loss.

In addition, teens are likely feeling disconnected from their friends that they see at school everyday. Yes, they have social media and other ways to connect virtually but it's not the same. Teens may likely not full appreciate why they can't go see their friends and hav...

I think far too often a child's self esteem is one of the things that easily slips parents minds (when you get home from a long day at work and your child shows you the 100th drawing of a koala bear, it is hard to still be excited to see it). However, a positive self esteem is crucial for proper emotional development. Self esteem begins developing when a child is an infant and their caregivers hold and smile at them. It continues to grow as a toddler when they wish to do various tasks themselves and begins to conquer milestones. Even on the worst of days, children look to adults, especially parents, for what they deserve and if they are important. Many parents, when thinking about their chil...

After just one week of online school and staying at home, I know that parents are struggling to balance the demands of your career and become your child’s home school teacher. With all the sudden changes that have taken place, what happens when children ask, “What is this Corona Virus?” and “What happens if I get it?” Here are some ideas that can help your to navigate this subject.

1. 
   

   When they bring it up, ask them to share how they are feeling about this situation. Ask them about their fears, anxieties, and what makes them mad or disappointed about events being cancelled. Validate their feelings. Let them know that you understand and that it is okay to feel what t...

By Brittanni Young, LMFT, CST

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Certified Sex Therapist

The nation is encouraging everyone to socially distance and others are being forced to quarantine altogether. During a time where we are actively called to stay away from each other, there is a deeper yearning within us that calls to do everything but that. This yearning comes from one of our most basic needs-the need to belong. Community. Connection. This is what helps us thrive and gives us the motivation to get by day to day. So how do we mitigate the call for social refrain with our deeper need for connection?

The time being spent isolated in your homes does not have to be a time of loneliness and ...

Finding Calm in the Storm

With all major events cancelled, children home from school, and some not working- we all have a little more time on our hands. When we feel Stress, Anxiety, Fear, & Uncertainty it is HARDER to have more time on our hands. This is because we feel our emotions more when we have more time.

Lets focus on how this can help…

Perception:

How we perceive things is an unconscious filter that is always on and it impacts how we feel, how we think, and how we react. It is the meaning we give everything around us. For example, if someone does not answer the phone when we call. We can perceive it as "they are busy" or "they are avoiding me." Read each thought- you can feel a d...

By Brittanni Young, LMFT, CST

The nation is encouraging everyone to socially distance and others are being forced to quarantine altogether. During a time where we are actively called to stay away from each other, there is a deeper yearning within us that calls to do everything but that. This yearning comes from one of our most basic needs-the need to belong. Community. Connection. This is what helps us thrive and gives us the motivation to get by day to day. So how do we mitigate the call for social refrain with our deeper need for connection?

The time being spent isolated in your homes does not have to be a time of loneliness and boredom. Take the time to get creative in the ways you connect....

By Erica Gregory, LMFT

If you are in a place in life where you need a counselor’s help, finding the right counselor is important. In one week, I heard 3 advertisements for online counseling online the radio, on tv, and online ads. If you are wanting to find a therapist and you hear those advertisements, you may be asking yourself:

1) How do I know I am talking to a qualified counselor?

2) Will this really help?

3) Should I do online vs in person?

With all the added noise about online counseling and the need for social distancing, I want to share this important information to help you find the right counselor.

How to find a quality therapist online or in person

Finding the right person is the ...

While shopping for the right counselor, it is important to assess their education, licensure, and expertise. We have broken down for you how to translate a counselor's profile.

Counselor vs. Coach

This is a very important point, coaching and counselors are very different. Anyone can be a coach, it does not require an education, training, or licensure. Tomorrow I could announce that I am a health coach and start charging you to help you with your health (and no one could stop me!) Counselors have many requirements which creates consistency and reliability in the field

1) A master’s degree in counseling (that is a min of 6 years of college)

2) Completed an un-paid 1-year internship practicin...

You shouldn’t have to feel ashamed to ask for help too!

Relationships, communication, feelings of isolation, and anger often challenge us throughout our journey. These are some of the common issues that men deal with, and sometimes deal with differently then women. Societal roles and expectations can create a more complex emotional state, yet less connection to deeper emotions. Often times, men believe that they should just put their heads down and power through life’s difficulties. How many times have you heard the phrase, “stop crying and be a man”, or “toughen up”? The truth is, you shouldn’t have to feel ashamed to ask for help too! In the long...