JCAC's Blog & Podcast

Apr
07

Play Therapy: Helping Children Heal and Thrive Through Therapeutic Play


Play Therapy: Speaking Your Child's Language






Counselor, Erica Gregory, talks about what play therapy is, how it works, and what to expect from a play therapist. She explains why play therapists use play as a form of therapy, the benefits for your child, and what the first 4 play therapy sessions look like.




Childhood is a crucial time for emotional and psychological development. However, children may struggle to express their thoughts and emotions, especially when dealing with anxiety, trauma, behavioral challenges, or grief. Play therapy is a powerful, evidence-based approach that allows children to communicate, heal, and grow in a way that feels natural to them—through play.


What is Pla...


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...


Jun
29

Recognizing the Need: Counseling for Your Teen | JCACounseling Podcast Short


As a parent, it's natural to worry when your teen's behavior changes. But how do you know if they need counseling? In this insightful JCAC podcast short, Ginny Vose, APC, and Erica Gregory, LMFT, discuss the signs that indicate it might be time to seek professional help for your child. They explore the impact of significant life changes such as divorce, moving, and mental health concerns, offering guidance for parents who are unsure about the next steps.




Is It Time To Take My Child or Teen to Counseling? | JCAC Podcast Shorts







Key Indicators for Counseling:


Changes in Behavior, Mood, and Personality: Sudden or drastic changes in your child's behavior, mood, or personality can be a red flag. T...


Jun
28

Transforming Teen Tantrums | JCACounseling Podcast Short


In this insightful JCAC podcast episode, Ginny Vose, APC, and Erica Gregory, LMFT, delve into the challenges of managing temper tantrums in teenagers. They explore the similarities between tantrums in young children and adolescents, offering valuable strategies for parents to support their teens through dysregulated moments using Co-Regulation.




How To Manage TEEN Temper Tantrums | JCAC Podcast Short







Understanding Teen Tantrums:


Teenage tantrums can be as challenging as those experienced during early childhood but manifest differently due to adolescent development and emotional complexities. Recognizing these behaviors is crucial for effective support.


Key Insights from the Podcast:


Staying Calm...


Jun
27

Empowering Children through Family Transitions: Unlocking Secrets | JCACounseling Podcast


In our latest JCAC podcast episode, the hosts explore the complexities of family transitions and their profound impact on children. By examining the emotional and psychological shifts that accompany significant family changes, we aim to provide parents with the tools to support their children during these challenging times.


Ginny Vose APC, Counselor with JCACounseling follows up a lecture she gave at Brandywine Elementary School on Positive Parenting. She addresses the key questions parents asked her after the lecture. We wanted to unpack each important question in detail on parenting, safe technology use, fostering values, assistant in your child's development, among many others.




Positive Pa...


Jun
10

Unpacking Perfectionism: How Performance-Based Identity Shapes Our Children | JCACounseling Podcast Short


What happens when everything changes? In a recent short clip from the JCAC podcast, the hosts delve into the concept of performance-based identity and its connection to perfectionism. By exploring the building blocks of a strong identity—how we see ourselves and what we do—we can understand how to foster healthy growth in our children.



The Root Of Perfectionism: Performance Based Identity | JCAC Podcast Short










Understanding Performance-Based Identity:


Performance-based identity is when an individual's self-worth is tied to their achievements and performance in various activities. The podcast highlights how children often develop this mindset when they receive praise and validation ...


Jun
08

The Transformative Power of Play Therapy: Enhancing Emotional and Cognitive Growth at JCAC | JCACounseling Podcast Short


How do our actions as parents or caregivers play an important role in shaping our children's brain and mind development? Enter the transformative realm of play therapy, where intrinsic linking helps with emotion regulation. In a recent short clip from the JCAC podcast, the hosts explore how this dynamic approach fosters resilience and adds a playful dimension to emotional and cognitive growth.



Learning to Regulate: Play Therapy at JCAC | Podcast Short







The Importance of Play Therapy:


Play therapy is a powerful tool that leverages the natural way children learn and express themselves—through play. The hosts explain that play therapy creates a safe and nurturing environment where children c...


Jun
07

Helping Your Teen Challenge Perfectionism | JCACounseling Podcast Short


As parents, we strive to support our children in becoming the best versions of themselves. We invest time and energy into their education, extracurricular activities, and overall development. However, one critical aspect that can significantly impact their success is often overlooked: their mental health. In a recent short clip from the JCACounseling Podcast, Erica shares invaluable insights on how perfectionism affects a child’s academic performance and what parents can do to help their teens challenge this mindset.



How to Help Your Teen Challenge PERFECTIONISM | JCACounseling Podcast Short






Understanding Perfectionism:


Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword for teens. While it might ...


Dec
18

Mindful Motherhood: Prioritizing Mental Health for Stay-at-Home Moms



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What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment without judgment, a valauble tool for stay-at-home moms facing the challenges of motherhood.



Understanding Mindfulness in Motherhood


Mindfulness helps mothers navigate day-to-day chaos with calmness. It fosters a meaningful connections with their children. By being present in the moment, you're able to build memories, but also reduce overwhelming yourself by allowing yourself as mom to focus on one task at a time. Overall, mindfulness helps relieve stress, provide mental clarity, and promote self-compassion, all contributing to the wellbeing of stay-at-home moms in their fulfilling journey of raising ther...


Oct
14

BUILDING CHARACTER: 3 Proven Tips To Help Build Confidence | Fostering Self Esteem Part 3


Most parents want to see their children become confident and independent adults with good self esteem. In this series, Erica explores how you can foster self esteem and confidence at home with your Priorities, Discipline, and Building Character. In part 2, Erica dives into how to help build character in your children by helping them answer "Why" to good behavior. Erica Gregory explains how having a foundation in morals and integrity can grow self esteem and confidence in children.


https://youtu.be/OwybMjPkX0Q



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Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling (#JCAC) is a warm and family orientated counseling practice in Alpharetta, Ga. We offer online counseling services in the states of Georgia and Fl...