JCAC's Blog & Podcast

Jun
19

Is My Child Just Going Through a Phase? How Play Therapy Helps Children Create Lasting Emotional Change




TOPIC: What Is Play Therapy? How It Helps Children Process Emotions and Create Lasting Change


WRITTEN: June 19, 2026


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2029



LEARN MORE ABOUT PLAY THERAPY AT JCAC: https://www.alpharettajohnscreekcounseling.com/play-therapy-for-children



As parents, it can be difficult to know when a behavior is simply a developmental phase and when your child may need additional support.


You may notice more tantrums, frequent meltdowns, increased anxiety, difficulty separating from you, withdrawal from family or friends, trouble at school, or sudden changes in mood. Many parents wonder:


"Are they just acting out?"
"Will they grow out of this?"
"Should I be worried?"


The truth is that children do...


May
19

You’re Not Alone, Mama: Support for the Fourth Trimester and Beyond



TOPIC: Postpartum Support Group for Moms: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone


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


WRITTEN: May 19, 2026


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2029


No one talks enough about how emotionally complex postpartum life can be.


One moment you may feel deep love and gratitude, and the next you may feel overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted, disconnected, or unlike yourself. The transition into motherhood is huge, and even when it’s beautiful, it can also feel incredibly hard.


Many moms silently wonder:
“Why am I struggling?”
“Why do I feel so overwhelmed?”
“Why does everyone else seem to handle this better than me?&r...


Jun
27

When Behavior Issues Are a Cry for Help: How Play Therapy Can Help



TOPIC: Behavior as Communication: The Power of Play Therapy


POST BY: Grace Lee, AMFT - CLICK HERE TO SEE HER BIO


WRITTEN: June 27, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



As a therapist who uses child-centered play therapy, I frequently meet families who come into my office feeling overwhelmed, confused, and often defeated. Their child has been acting out, maybe through throwing tantrums that last for hours, refusing to follow rules, being aggressive toward siblings or classmates, or suddenly withdrawing. These behavior issues often leave parents asking, “What are we doing wrong?” or “Why is my child like this?”



First, let me reassure you: you are not alone, and you are not fai...


Jun
26

Healing From Trauma: Finding Safety, Strength, and Self Again


TOPIC: Healing After Trauma: A Path to Safety, Resilience, and Self-Discovery


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


WRITTEN: June 26, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



If you're reading this, chances are you're carrying something heavy. Maybe it's a memory that won't fade, a sense of danger that never seems to leave, or a deep exhaustion from holding everything together for too long. You might look like you're functioning to the outside world—successful, capable, resilient—but on the inside, there’s a lingering ache, a fracture you can’t quite name. Trauma is often invisible. But its impact? That’s very, very real.


As a trauma therapist who ...


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

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...


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
09

How TeleMental Health Counseling Can Help You Overcome Isolation and Stay Consistent in Therapy



Mental health doesn’t wait for the “right time.” But life gets busy—and for many, the biggest challenge to emotional well-being isn’t a lack of need, but a lack of access, energy, or connection.


Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, chronic stress, or simply feeling disconnected from others, online therapy (TeleMental Health Counseling) is changing the way people get support—making it easier than ever to prioritize your mental health, stay consistent, and feel less alone.


In this post, we’ll explore how TeleMental Health Counseling can help you overcome isolation, stay engaged in therapy, and access personalized care from anywhere.



💡 What ...


Jun
02

Struggling with Anxiety? 5 Ways Individual Counseling Can Help You Cope



If you’re feeling overwhelmed, restless, or trapped in a cycle of worry, you’re not alone. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health concerns in the U.S., affecting over 40 million adults every year.


Whether you deal with generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, or high-functioning anxiety, the constant mental noise can make even the smallest tasks feel impossible.


But here’s the good news: Individual counseling for anxiety can help you find relief, clarity, and confidence.


In this post, we’ll explore 5 powerful ways that working with a licensed therapist can help you manage anxiety symptoms, understand your triggers, and build lasting coping ...


May
26

7 Common Communication Barriers in Relationships and How Couples Therapy Can Fix Them



Communication is the heartbeat of every healthy relationship—but it’s also where many couples struggle the most. Whether it’s misunderstandings, emotional shutdowns, or constant arguments, poor communication can leave couples feeling disconnected, frustrated, and unheard.


The good news? You’re not alone—and help is available.


In this blog, we’ll break down the 7 most common communication barriers in relationships and explain how couples therapy can help you and your partner rebuild trust, improve understanding, and strengthen your emotional connection.



💬 Why Communication Is So Important in Relationships


At its core, communication isn’t just about talk...