JCAC's Blog & Podcast

Jun
26

Transition from High School to College Athletics: How to Be Mentally Tough and Resilient Through Big Life Transitions


TOPIC: Building Mental Toughness: Navigating the Transition from High School to College Athletics with Resilience


POST BY: Makenna Vacek, Master's Level Clinical Intern - CLICK HERE TO SEE HER BIO


WRITTEN: June 26, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



Many high school athletes aspire to the day they step on campus repping their new school gear and get to take their playing to a higher level. While this is an exciting time for them, it also comes with a whole new set of demands and experiences as they transition. Sometimes it is the first time away from home, maybe expectations of playing time are different, coaches may be harsher, maybe you just went from being the best on a team to now hardly not...


Jun
26

How to Build Healthy Self-Esteem in Your Teen: A Guide for Parents


TOPIC: How to Support Your Teen’s Self-Worth: Tools Every Parent Should Know


POST BY: Lillie Bamberg, LPC - CLICK HERE TO SEE HER BIO


WRITTEN: June 26, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



Parenting a teenager today comes with a unique set of challenges—many of which weren’t as visible a generation ago. Thanks to the rise of social media, increasing academic pressure, and shifting cultural standards, more teens than ever are struggling with low self-esteem, lack of confidence, body image issues, and anxiety. These issues can deeply affect a teen's mental health, relationships, and ability to thrive in everyday life. As a parent, you can’t control the world they’re grow...


Jun
26

The Impact of Social Media on Teens: Navigating the Mind Games of Snapchat


TOPIC: The Impact of Snapchat on Teen Mental Health and Self-Esteem


POST BY: Mikayla Minehart, LPC, NCC, PMH-C - CLICK HERE TO SEE HER BIO


WRITTEN: June 26, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



As a therapist working with teens, I often hear about the constant pressure and challenges young people face when it comes to social media. While platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat provide creative outlets, ways to connect with friends, and a means to express oneself, they also come with significant mental health consequences, especially for teenagers who are still navigating their self-identity and emotional well-being.


In this post, I’ll explore the unique ways that social media, specific...


Jun
26

Adoption Competent Counseling for Children, Adolescents, and Adults


TOPIC: Adoption Is Lifelong: Counseling Support for Every Stage of the Journey


POST BY: Lyla Mills, LMSW - CLICK HERE TO SEE HER BIO


WRITTEN: June 26, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



True adoption-competent counseling is hard to find. First, understanding the different types of adoption and the nuances that are attached to them is key. Examples of some of the different types are: International adoptions, domestic adoptions which is a category that can be broken down into several more categories —> foster to adopt, open/closed adoptions, transracial adoptions, and kinship adoptions.


Then, after beginning to understand the types, comes understanding just how much adoptees hold onto and h...


Apr
28

Individual Counseling: Empowering Change and Growth Through Psychotherapy


AM I DEPRESSED? Or Just Sad? Depression Explained in Detail By A Licensed Counselor






Counselor, Erica Gregory, explains what depression is by outlining the 9 key symptoms of depression. Erica has worked with depressed children, teens, and adults, and uses her experience with real clients who have depression to explain the difference between feeling sad or down and clinical depression or medical depression.




Life’s challenges often leave us feeling stuck or overwhelmed, whether it’s dealing with emotional distress, life transitions, or mental health struggles. Individual counseling offers a safe, supportive space to help you process, heal, and find clarity. At Johns Creek and Alphare...


Sep
30

The Alarming Rise of Teen Depression and Suicide | JCACounseling Podcast Short


In this short episode, licensed counselors Erica Gregory and Mandi Allison discuss the growing mental health crisis among teens, highlighting the alarming rise in suicide rates. They explore how prolonged emotional pain can lead to a desire for escape and how social media intensifies anxiety and feelings of isolation. Learn how to recognize the warning signs and better support the teens in your life.


Click below to watch this short episode!


To watch the full podcast episode, click here: Full Podcast Episode



Why Is Teen Depression & Suicide Increasing? | JCACounseling Podcast Short











Prolonged Emotional Pain and the Desire to Escape:
The discussion began by addressing how prolonged emotional pa...


Aug
30

Mastering Interpersonal Skills: Valuable Advice for College Students | JCACounseling Podcast Short






In this insightful episode of the JCAC podcast, we explore the crucial topic of cultivating healthy relationships among college students. This discussion provides practical strategies and valuable insights for navigating social dynamics, combating loneliness, and enhancing emotional well-being on campus.



Healthy Relationships and College Students: Addressing Loneliness and Appeasing Behaviors







The Role of Self-Esteem: We start by examining how self-esteem impacts relationship-building and overall mental health. Discover how nurturing a positive self-image can help foster genuine connections and contribute to a more fulfilling college experience.


Negative Outlooks & Depression: The conversation ...


Aug
28

Unlocking the Secrets of Therapy: A Deep Dive with Erica Gregory and Claire Booz | JCACounseling Podcast Short


In this compelling episode of the JCAC podcast, Erica and Counselor Claire Booz delve into the nuanced aspects of therapy, offering listeners a thought-provoking exploration of key therapeutic concepts and analogies.








Challenging How to Challenge "Should" CBT Techniques | JCACounseling Podcast Short







The Power of "Should" in Therapy: Erica and Claire examine the role of the term "should" in therapy. They discuss how societal and self-imposed expectations can shape our approach to therapy and influence our personal growth. This segment highlights the pressure to conform to certain standards and how it can impact our therapeutic journey.


Emotional Suppression vs. Radical Honesty: The conversation ...


Aug
26

Unlocking Mental Wellness in College: Expert Perspectives | JCACounseling Podcast






In our latest episode of the JCAC podcast, Erica and Counselor Claire Booz dive into the critical topic of mental health for college students. This episode offers essential insights and practical advice to help students effectively manage their mental well-being.



Breaking Boundaries: How to Thrive in College | JCACounseling Podcast







The Impact of Mental Health & Counseling Approaches: Mental health profoundly affects academic success and social interactions. Claire discusses how mental well-being influences these areas and shares her eclectic counseling methods tailored to college students' unique needs. These techniques provide essential support for navigating academic and personal challenges...


Jun
30

Tech-Savvy Parenting: Ensuring Your Child's Online Safety | JCACounseling Podcast Short


As parents, navigating the digital landscape with our children can be daunting. In this insightful JCAC podcast short, counselors Erica Gregory, LMFT, and Ginny Vose, APC, offer invaluable guidance on setting boundaries and ensuring online safety for your children.




PARENTS: How To Keep Your Children Safe On Technology | JCACounseling Podcast Shorts







Boundaries, Safety, & Technology Oh My!


The battle all parents face is how to establish boundaries with technology and keep their children safe online. Gregory and Vose delve into practical strategies and essential tips for navigating this complex terrain.


Screen Time Education for Children


Understanding the impact of screen time is crucial. This se...