JCAC's Blog & Podcast

Jul
28

Midlife Matters: Why More Women Are Choosing Therapy During Life's Biggest Transitions


TOPIC: Midlife Matters: Why More Women Are Choosing Therapy During Life's Biggest Transitions


WRITTEN: July 28, 2026 by Jessica Grabowski


WILL BE REVIEWED: July 2029



LEARN ABOUT JESSICA


LEARN ABOUT INDIVIDUAL THERAPY



You've built a life. Now it's time to ask: Is it still working for you?





Jul
03

Why Is My Child Acting Out? Understanding the Real Meaning Behind Behavior




TOPIC: Why Is My Child Acting Out? Understanding Behavior and What It Really Means



WRITTEN: July 3, 2026


WILL BE REVIEWED: July 2029



LEARN MORE ABOUT PLAY THERAPY AT JCAC



It can be confusing and overwhelming when a child suddenly begins acting out—having frequent meltdowns, showing anger, refusing to listen, struggling at school, or withdrawing from family and friends.


Many parents find themselves wondering: “What changed?” or “Why is my child behaving this way?”


While it’s easy to view these behaviors as defiance or “bad behavior,” children are often communicating something deeper that they do not yet have the words to express.


Behavior Is Communi...


Jun
26

Is My Child’s Anxiety Normal? Signs Your Child May Need Therapy




TOPIC: Is My Child’s Anxiety Normal? Signs, Causes, and When to Seek Therapy


WRITTEN: June 26, 2026


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2029



LEARN MORE ABOUT PLAY THERAPY AT JCAC



It’s normal for children to experience worries, fears, or nervousness from time to time. However, when anxiety begins to interfere with daily life, relationships, school, or emotional well-being, it may be a sign that additional support could be helpful.


Many parents wonder: “Is this just a phase, or something more?”


The truth is that childhood anxiety doesn’t always look obvious. It often shows up through behavior, physical complaints, or avoidance rather than clear verbal expression.



What Childhood An...


Jun
02

When Your Child Is Struggling: Why Specialized Play Therapy Matters


When Your Child Is Struggling: Why Specialized Play Therapy Matters


As a parent, it can be heartbreaking to watch your child struggle.


Maybe your child is having emotional outbursts after a divorce. Perhaps they are anxious about school, overwhelmed by friendships, or struggling to focus and regulate their emotions. You may find yourself wondering, "Is this just a phase?" or "Does my child need counseling?"


At Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling, we understand that children rarely walk into an office and say, "I'd like to discuss my feelings today."


Children communicate differently than adults. They process experiences, emotions, fears, and relationships through play. That's why Play Therapy i...


Jun
26

Guide for Teens: How to Build Self-Esteem, Improve Body Image, and Manage Anxiety


TOPIC: The Teen Guide to Self-Esteem, Body Image, and Anxiety: Tools for a Healthier You


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


WRITTEN: June 26, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



You’re Not Alone: Understanding Teen Self-Esteem


If you're a teen who feels insecure, anxious, or uncomfortable in your own skin, you’re not the only one. Millions of teens struggle daily with low self-esteem, lack of confidence, and body image issues—and it can feel overwhelming. Add in pressure from school, family, friends, and social media, and it’s no surprise that teen mental health is more important than ever.


But here’s something you should know: it’s okay to...


Jun
26

Feeling Life Behind: Navigating Life Transitions in Adulthood


TOPIC: What to Do When Everyone Around You Is Moving On and You Feel Stuck


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


WRITTEN: June 26, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



Your friends start getting married. They buy homes, move in with partners, land promotions, or post smiling pictures from places you can’t afford to visit right now. Or maybe it’s the opposite, maybe you’re the first to get married, or start a career, and you’re suddenly left feeling like no one around you fully understands what you’re going through.


Adulthood rarely unfolds in sync. As we move through our twenties and thirties, our paths start to diverge. One friend might be starting a fa...


Jun
26

EMDR: Rewiring the Brain for Emotional Freedom


TOPIC: EMDR Explained: The Science of Emotional Healing and Brain Rewiring


POST BY: Lindsey Wheeler, LPC, CPCS - CLICK HERE TO SEE HER BIO


WRITTEN: June 26, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



If you’ve ever felt like you're trapped in a loop of painful memories, reactions that feel too big for the moment, or emotions that seem to control your life—you're not alone. For many people, trauma doesn't just live in the past. It gets stored in the body, in the brain, and the nervous system. And while talk therapy can help bring awareness, sometimes it feels like insight alone isn’t enough. That’s where EMDR therapy can offer profound healing.


EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization ...


Jun
26

The Hidden Struggle of High Achievers with ADHD (And How Therapy Can Help)


TOPIC: The Overlooked Side of ADHD: High Achievement, Hidden Struggles, and Healing Through Therapy


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 child therapist, I’ve had the privilege of working with many bright, driven, and talented young people. Some of them are top of their class, win awards, or excel in multiple areas—from academics to the arts to athletics. And yet, beneath their accomplishments lies a daily internal battle that most people don't see.


These are the high achievers with ADHD.



When Success Masks Struggle


ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is often stereotyped as affect...


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...


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...