The term “helicopter parent” was first used in Dr. Haim Ginott’s 1969 book Parents & Teenagers by teens who said their parents would hover over them like a helicopter. It became popular enough to become a dictionary entry in 2011. Helicopter parenting most often applies to parents who help high school or college-aged students with […]

As a child, making friends is as easy as running up to the closest kid on the playground and asking them if they want to play. As kids get older, there are plenty of opportunities to make new friends in school activities and sports. Often, the same kids they played with on the playground are […]

Deciding whether or not to start a new relationship can be an exciting but confusing time. It is important to figure out if you are truly ready for a relationship, or if you could benefit by spending some time focusing on yourself.   Questions to Ask Yourself: Do I feel strongly about myself and about my […]

Making mistakes as a young adult is an important part of the transition from adolescence to adulthood, but as parents, it’s natural to want to step in and help your child through these tough times. As your child continues to grow in her independence, it’s important to find that balance of support and hands-off parenting […]

Burnout describes a severe stress condition that leads to severe physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. Much worse than ordinary fatigue, burnout makes it challenging for people to cope with stress and handle day-to-day responsibilities. People experiencing burnout often feel like they have nothing left to give and may dread getting out of bed each morning. […]

Self-limiting beliefs are the assumptions or perceptions we have about ourselves and the way the world works. These assumptions are “self-limiting” because by holding on to these beliefs, we are in some way holding ourselves back from achieving our goals. We learn these belief systems as very young children, and then we move through life […]

You’ve graduated from high school! Congratulations! This is an exciting time as you complete the goal you’ve been working toward for the past four years. But for some young adults, there’s a new question they’re facing: “Now what”. After graduation there are many options like higher education, joining the workforce, or attending trade school. But […]

We’re all familiar with the little voice that lives in the back of our minds that whispers: “What if…”. What if I embarrass myself? What if I fail? What if no one likes it? What if no one likes me? What if they find out I’m an imposter? What if I’m wrong? This little voice […]

Family relationships can greatly affect mental health, behavior, and even physical health. When family relationships are stable and supportive, people struggling with mental health issues may be more open to seeking out treatment. While some people with mental health issues may require a large amount of support from their family, others may simply need a […]

Journaling can be an effective tool for dealing with emotions while expressing yourself in a positive way. A recent article in Positive Psychology states: “It’s hypothesized that writing works to enhance our mental health through guiding us towards confronting previously inhibited emotions (reducing the stress from inhibition), helping us process difficult events and compose a […]