Why Boys Shut Down Instead of Talking
“How was your day?” “Fine.” “Is something wrong?” “No.” If you’re raising a boy or teenage son, this exchange may sound familiar. You can sense that something is bothering him,…
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Back-to-School Success: Tips to Ease Anxiety & Build Confidence
As the new school year approaches, many children, teens, and parents experience a mix of excitement and anxiety. Whether your child is starting kindergarten, transitioning to middle school, or entering…
Read MoreThe Invisible Mental Load of Motherhood
Summer Isn’t Always Simpler As summer approaches, many parents look forward to a slower pace and more family time. School routines ease up, schedules shift, and there can be excitement…
Read MoreEnd-of-Year Emotional Crash (and What to Do)
As the school year comes to a close, many parents expect things to feel easier. In reality, this is often the time when children and teens become more emotional, irritable,…
Read MoreTeens, AI, and Emotional Support- Tips for Parents
At Wellspring, we’ve begun to notice a new pattern in our work with teens: some are turning to AI chatbots for emotional support, connection, and mental health information. While there…
Read MoreSchool Refusal in Children and Teens
As we move into the spring months, many families begin to notice increasing struggles around school attendance. In our work with children and teens, particularly high school students, we often…
Read MoreSleep Smarts: Science-Backed Sleep Tips for Kids & Teens
A well-rested child can regulate emotions more effectively, focus more consistently, and respond to stress with greater resilience. Sleep is not simply downtime for the body; it is one of…
Read MoreCalm Comes First
Lately, in my clinical work, I’ve noticed a common theme: many parents are seeking support to help their children stay calm and regulated during challenging moments. I often begin by…
Read MoreTips for Finding Stillness in a Busy Holiday Season
The Gift of Being Present Tips for Finding Stillness in a Busy Holiday Season The holiday season in Marin County is a special time of year—crisp coastal air, walks at…
Read MorePerfectionism Tips from Wellspring
As college application deadlines approach, we’re hearing from many local Marin high school seniors who are feeling overwhelmed by pressure and rising anxiety. A significant part of this stress comes…
Read MoreHow to talk to your child about Therapy
With school back in session, many parents are wondering how to approach the topic of therapy with their child or teen. This month’s newsletter provides guidance on starting that conversation…
Read MoreReady, Set, Thrive: Back to School Tips
You’re not alone—back-to-school jitters are real. As the new school year approaches, many children and parents feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. Whether your child is starting kindergarten, transitioning…
Read MoreScreen Time and Summer: Support for Children and Teens in Marin County
As summer unfolds, many families notice a sharp increase in screen use among children and teens. Without the structure of the school year, screen time often becomes a point of…
Read MoreNavigating Summer Travel: Support Strategies for Anxious Children
Big Feelings, New Places: Easing Summer Stress Summer is usually a time of fun and change, but for many kids and teens, the shift in routine and environments can trigger…
Read MoreEasing the Transition: Preparing Kids for the End of the School Year
As we approach the final weeks of the school year, many families find this transition period emotionally and logistically challenging. Children may feel excitement, anxiety, sadness, or even resistance as…
Read MoreSupporting Kids’ Mental Health During the Busy Spring Season
As the weather warms and the days get longer, spring often brings a fresh burst of activity—school events, final projects, sports, recitals, social gatherings, and shifting routines. While this can…
Read MoreEmpowering Teen Boys’ Mental Health
By fostering emotional intelligence, resilience, and support systems, Wellspring therapists can empower boys and young men to meet their challenges and thrive in every aspect of their lives, helping them…
Read MoreThe Emotional Journey of College Application Anxiety
Under Pressure: The Emotional Journey of College Application Anxiety The journey of choosing a college and getting through the application process can be stressful and time-consuming for parents and students…
Read MoreThe Power of Play
Nurturing Child Development Through the Power of Play Play is more than just a pastime for children; it’s a crucial aspect of their development that lays the foundation for a…
Read MoreTips for Talking to Teens About Sex
Tips for Talking to Teens About Sex Talking to your teens about sex is essential for their overall well-being and development. While it may feel daunting, open and honest communication…
Read MorePeaceful Parenting: Tackling Kids’ Aggression
Navigating the intricate landscape of parenthood presents a myriad of challenges, with one prominent concern being how to handle aggression in children. Acknowledging that while aggression can be, and is…
Read MoreTop 10 Tech Tips For Families
WALK THE WALK Model a healthy media balance for the children in your life. Kids are very open about how difficult it is to stop snapping, gaming, texting, watching YouTube…
Read MoreHelping a Child with Climate Change Anxiety
Many adults, as well as children, are growing increasingly anxious about the perilous state of our planet. There are constant news broadcasts relating to devastating floods, disappearing lakes, a melting…
Read MoreBuilding Blocks for Self-Esteem in Kids
Self-esteem goes beyond simply feeling good about yourself; it plays a significant role in determining one’s success or failure in life. It is essential to have confidence in your ability…
Read MoreThe Essence of Self Care
The word “Self-Care” has received much well-deserved attention and lip service in recent years. It evokes images of scented baths, massages, meditation, yoga, and curling up with a good book. …
Read MoreStaying on Track for Successful Summer
“Summer Break” – Those two simple words evoke memories of the exhilaration felt on the last day of school; the sense of freedom and joy knowing we had the entire…
Read MoreHow to Talk to Kids about Alcohol and Drugs
Some conversations are hard between parents and their children, even in the closest families. Parents are responsible for teaching kids about the risk factors surrounding alcohol and drugs, and preparing…
Read MoreSleep Support and Advice for Adults
Why is Sleep So Important for Adults? Are you affected by poor sleep? There are more than 100 million Americans of all ages who are not getting an adequate amount…
Read MoreSupporting Grieving Teens After a Tragedy
What is Grief? Grief is a natural human process in response to a loss. It does not follow specific stages or timelines, it looks different from person to person, and…
Read MoreAccomodation and Anxiety
Ask yourself these questions: Do I accommodate my child’s anxiety? In what ways? How can I make changes to help my child develop resilience? As parents, we are wired to…
Read MoreWhat is Languishing and How to Cope with it
What is languishing? It’s not a common term we use in our day to day language. However, it IS something we feel often. Think of languishing as the middle ground…
Read MoreTransition Tips for Summer Time
Prepare for Transitions: As your summer schedule fills up with activities, remember to ease into it. Even the most exuberant extroverts have not mingled with others as per usual. You…
Read MorePrenatal and Postpartum Depression
Depression is actually the most common complication of childbearing. It impacts 1 in 7 birthing parents and 1 in 10 partners, and can begin during pregnancy or within the year…
Read MoreHow to Talk to Your Children about Ukraine
How to Talk to Your Children About Ukraine The war in Ukraine continues to be a worldwide issue for everyone. More than 5 million refugees have already fled the country…
Read MoreBack to School: Tips for Supporting your Socially Anxious Teens
Teens are social creatures by nature. Having regular practice in connecting, maintaining friendships, and learning to resolve conflicts with peers is a social imperative for their developmental stage. However, due…
Read More10 Tips to Tame Your OCD
Get to Know the Flavors OCD can show up in many ways, it is not just about liking things organized and tidy. Some of the ways OCD appears may seem…
Read MoreHelping Teens to Re-enter Their Social World
Teens are social creatures by nature. Having regular practice in connecting, maintaining friendships, and learning to resolve conflicts with peers is a social imperative for their developmental stage. However, due…
Read MoreCould My Teen Be Depressed?
Perhaps more than any moment in our lifetimes, today’s teens are at risk of depression. Our world is an information-rich one with many pressures previous generations couldn’t have dreamed of…
Read MorePositive Parenting for the Toddler Years
“Terrible Twos.” “Threenager.” “Fournado.” The toddler and preschool years are a notoriously difficult time for parents. At this age, frequent tantrums, stubbornness and poor impulse control can turn even simple,…
Read MoreTips for Managing Back to School – Online
Tips for Managing Back to School – Online This past March, parents, teachers and children were thrust into a new normal of online learning and managing life at home with…
Read MoreHaley Baker on effects on teens of prolonged quarantine
Read Haley’s article in the Marin Independent Journal: https://www.marinij.com/2020/06/08/youth-in-quarantine-how-prolonged-school-closures-may-affect-young-students/
Read MoreWeathering the Storm of Sheltering in Place – Part 2
Learn more about how to Weather the Storm of Sheltering in place in this video: Shelter in Place Watch the Video
Read MoreRe-Examining Discipline
4 Helpful Tips for Lasting Behavioral Changes in your Children Many parents come into therapy seeking help with their child’s behavioral concerns. From big meltdowns to fights with siblings, these…
Read MoreBehavior Cheat Sheet
Prevention Tips for Parents Clear expectations and priming (planning ahead or coping ahead): Most children benefit from having structure and clear guidelines in their daily routines. This allows your child…
Read MoreBullying: Online and Off
A Guide for Parents of Tweens and Teens BULLYING TODAY: Bullying has become a bit more complicated to identify and navigate due to the central role technology plays in our…
Read MoreThe Basics on Bullying
Parents and family members are often unsure what to do when they suspect that their loved one is being bullied in school. Bullying has become a more common issue for…
Read MoreComing Together Around Coming Out – Resources for Parents
Supporting your child through the coming-out process can be an adjustment for you as a parent as well. It is a transitional time for both your child and your family.…
Read MoreComing Out – A Resource Guide for Youth
As a young person, learning about your own LGBTQ identity and coming out in a heteronormative and cisnormative world can be challenging. To help with the coming out process, here…
Read MoreCOMING OUT: A Resource Guide for LGBTQ Youth and Their Parents
As a young person, learning about your own LGBTQ identity and coming out in a heteronormative and cisnormative world can be challenging. To help with the coming out process, here…
Read MoreTips for Helping Your Anxious Child
Recognize that the fear feels very real to your child. Empathize with your child’s feelings even if you feel they are overreacting to the situation. It is important to remember…
Read MoreWORDS MATTER: Talking Tips for Raising Resilient Kids
Resiliency is one of those characteristics most want and hope will emerge within children at the most opportune moment to overcome difficulties when they arise. The good news is that you can do more than hope for the best. Here are 5 teachable moments backed by research to foster grit and resiliency in your children.
Sleep Smarts: 8 Sleeping Tips for Children
A well-rested child is a child who can learn, grow and manage their feelings better. 1. Daily Routines – Build Habits From the early stages in a baby’s life establish…
Read MoreGUY TALK: Twelve Tips for Communicating with Boys and Young Men
1) Boys DO want to connect – you just might have to be the one to initiate Boys are often socialized to be competitive and they sometimes don’t have the…
Read MoreBeating Holiday Worry: Supporting a Child with Anxiety through the Hectic Holidays
The holidays tend to generate lots of excitement as we look forward to spending time with friends and family and enjoying a much-needed break from the obligations of work and…
Read MoreTop 10 Technology Tips to Help You and Your Family Through the Holiday Season
1) WALK THE WALK Model a healthy media balance for the children in your life. Kids are very open about how difficult it is to stop snapping, gaming, texting, watching…
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