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How to Help Your Grieving Children, Teens, and Families
By Lisa Mottola Ernst, MSW, LCSW In working with grieving children, teens and families, I get many questions concerning children and their ability to grieve. Before answering these questions, it is important to note that children grieve differently than adults. For them, the loss of a parent, sister, brother, grandparent, friend or classmate brings both sadness and confusion. Given a child’s ability to love deeply, that child in turn grieves deeply as well. These grieving children need special care. Developmentally, it is important for children and teens to attend social functions and receive that peer support after a loved one has died. Many of these emotions are often displayed initially as…
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I Know____, but I Feel_____.
The Dichotomy of Mind Caused by Trauma By Kristy Cobillas, MEd, LPC Feelings can be tricky. Feelings can reflect perceived reality, but they certainly do not dictate what reality is. Sometimes the two do not line up! Why does this happen? What is this dichotomy of mind that takes place between what one thinks and what one feels? The answer, in part, is biological. Different parts of the brain have different functions. For example, the prefrontal cortex is the area that is known for the processing of a person’s executive functions, such as reasoning, impulse control, decision making, planning, and anticipating a negative outcome. It is a part of the…
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Holidays with an Eating Disorder
The holiday season is here! Almost all holiday parties and gatherings revolve around food and drink. Although this can be fun for many, it can be frightening for those with disordered eating. Creating a sense of safety around food and meal planning is essential experiencing a joyful season with family and friends. Evidence-based research has shown that if you are someone who struggles with an eating disorder, it is beneficial to navigate the holidays with the help of your treatment team. A treatment team for an eating disorder patient would include a dietitian, a therapist, and a physician. Your dietitian can cater your meal plan specifically for the holidays. Your…
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How to Cool It When You Are Burning Up Mad
By Byron Loy, MA, LPC, LCPC, CRADC Anger isn’t a wrong emotion or even a bad emotion. There are even some things which should probably make us angrier than they do. However, even in those instances, there are appropriate ways to handle our anger. Jesus told us, in Mathew 5:21, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, anyone who murders will be subject to judgment’.” So far so good, I hope… However, Jesus goes on to say, “but I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his…
Marriage Family & Individual Counseling | St Louis MO
