TOPIC: Play Therapy & Child Mental Health

WRITTEN: August 4, 2026 by Tiffany Kim

WILL BE REVIEWED: August 2029

Children experience complex emotions, but they do not always have the words or developmental ability to explain what they are feeling. Anxiety, sadness, stress, trauma, and life changes can be difficult for children to process through conversation alone. This is where play therapy provides a unique and effective approach to helping children communicate, heal, and grow.

At JCAC in Alpharetta, Georgia, our child therapists use developmentally appropriate, creative approaches to help children express emotions, build coping skills, and feel understood in a safe therapeutic environment.

What...

TOPIC: Child & Teen Therapy

WRITTEN: August 4, 2026 by Krishna Nayar

WILL BE REVIEWED: August 2029

Children and teenagers often communicate their emotions differently than adults. While some openly express what they're feeling, others may show their struggles through changes in behavior, withdrawal, anger, or difficulty at school. Looking beyond those behaviors is one of the most important parts of working with children and adolescents.

At JCAC in Alpharetta, Georgia, our therapists understand that every child and teen has a unique story. Rather than focusing only on behaviors, therapy helps uncover the emotions, experiences, and challenges that may be contributing to them.

Why Therapy for Child...

At Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling (JCAC), we believe connection changes everything. When individuals are equipped with the tools to recognize, assess, and cope with mental health challenges, they’re more likely to reach out for help and support others in doing the same. That’s the heart behind our annual Connection With A Purpose event — a day dedicated to mental health awareness, education, and community connection.

💛 Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday, October 25
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Milton Community Center
🎟️ Admission: FREE (Register to receive a free meal ticket)

To register, visit Connection With A Purpose Tickets

This free family-friendly ev...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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