Blogs and Articles | Cameron Pediatric Counseling, Inc. • Page 2 of 5 • Cameron Pediatric Counseling, Inc.

Why Your Child or Teen Should See a Pediatric-Specific Therapist

1. Specialized Expertise in Pediatric Therapy: At our practice, we exclusively see children and teens. This ensures that our therapists are highly specialized in dealing with the unique psychological and developmental needs specific to younger age groups. 2. Developmentally Appropriate Techniques: Our therapists are trained in evidence-based methods specifically designed for children and adolescents. These techniques are more effective for

10 Behaviors That Would Worry Even a Child Therapist

As parents we worry, that is what most of us do. But how do you differentiate what behaviors are common and what behaviors are something to worry about? Sometimes it is hard to tell. In my practice parents voice many concerns, many of which are easy to address and are typical for the developmental phase their kids are in. Some

Is Your Child Acting Out in School?

It’s hard to watch your child/teen struggle, it can happen in school for many reasons and can have lasting effects, as well as repercussions. It is important to identify and catch them as soon as possible and help your child/teen work through them. Being proactive is the best approach when it comes to your child’s mental health. Is your child/teen

The Weathering Nature of Weather and Nature

The great outdoors benefits us in all weather, even when it’s less ideal for tanning. Both adults and children will benefit from the sun’s natural Vitamin D boost even when there’s clouds, lower stress hormones (cortisol), and improved memory. Nature provides a…

Socializing for Kids and Parents in 2021

No man is an island, and this is true even during a pandemic when it may seem necessary to function more independently. This is counterintuitive; increased isolation during an illness increases recovery time as the mind becomes less able to focus and aid the body in staying strong. Keeping up with friends is an important component in strong mental health which assists the immune system.

What Makes CPC’s Family Therapy Different?

“Family” is defined by the modern family therapist as anyone who plays a long-term supportive role in child/teens life, which may not mean blood relations or family members in the same household. The goal of family therapy typically is to seek help to reduce distress and conflict by improving the systems of interactions between family members. At CPC we look

What Does Life Look Like With a Gifted Student?

Recent studies show that gifted children often struggle with anxiety, depression and the “need to please”. At CPC, we recognize that gifted students have unique challenges and we are well equipped to assist them with their individual needs.

How to Conquer the Martyr Complex

As we grow up, many of us see influential figures—parents, teachers, clergy, or others in positions of authority—putting the needs of other people first; gradually we learn to equate sacrifice with goodness. “Subconsciously, you might start emulating that behavior as a way of pleasing people and receiving love,” says life coach Jen Mazer. Written by Ingela Ratledge.

This May Be Why Social Media Is So Addictive

For frequent users, even the Facebook logo may trigger cravings, suggests a new study. By Amanda MacMillan Photo by photojournalis/Getty Images Raise your hand if you’ve ever pulled out your phone to check the weather and found yourself falling down a Facebook rabbit hole instead. We’ve all been there. Now, new research may shed some light onto why, exactly, it

12 Tips on Staying Inspired

Staying inspired all the time is impossible, but staying inspired at least for a little while every day is very important to achieving your goals.

22 Ways to Love Yourself More

Children & Teens Need More Sleep than You Might Think

Sleep greatly impacts how everyone (especially children) is able to handle and positively manage emotions and mental health overall. While quality rest is important for people of all ages, kids and even teenagers actually require more sleep than adults. General sleep guidelines outlined by the National Sleep Foundation are as follows: Age Sleep Needs 3-6 years —————— 11-13 hours 7-12

What Every Parent Should Know About Sleep

Learn 11 things about sleep that parents can use to improve health and nighttime routines of their children. American kids are winning; unfortunately, what we’re taking first place in is sleep deprivation. Many kids and teens aren’t getting enough sleep for a variety of reasons. In one large-scale analysis of 50 countries, Boston College researchers found that American students were

Closing the Gap for Children’s Mental Health

Half of all mental illness begins by age 14. Many people do not know that. They also do not know that, on average, eight to 10 years will pass from the onset of symptoms to the time of intervention for those living with these conditions. In the life of a child, those are critical developmental years. When children and youth

4 Ideas for Taking the Stress Out of Gift Giving

Let’s face it, giving gifts can be challenging. It doesn’t matter who they are for, it is stressful. Everyone stresses over it, whether it is not knowing what to give someone, or if you have enough money to get the things you want. Here are a few ideas to help take some of that hassle away. Give experiences –

11 Things to do in Winchester on a Wintery Day

Skyline Paintball & Laser Tag – A large warehouse converted into a large game of laser tag. Recommended for ages 5 and up, a great way to get out some excess energy. Worlds Away Escape – Worlds Away Escape is an interactive escape room adventure. They feature several different rooms to choose from and change out the topics throughout the

Therapy is an Investment, not an Expense

We cannot stress this enough; therapy is an investment in your child’s overall health and well-being. Our mental health is what drives us, maintaining a good mental health will lead your child/teen into a better mindset and give them the ability to make better decisions for a lifetime. Think of therapy as a pair of new glasses with the correct

Too Much on Your Plate – 5 Tips to Declutter

Having too much on your plate can cause stress for you and your family and can leave you with no time for yourself. Having too much on your plate implies not only a lot to do, but also a sense of being overwhelmed. There are many things you can do to help alleviate some of the stress you are feeling.

Why Doesn’t My Child Talk To Me Anymore?

No parent enjoys getting the silent treatment. Sometimes this is what it feels like though. Our little ones used to talk non-stop, remember the days that all you wanted was 2 minutes of peace and quiet? Now you long for those days. As parents, we need to realize that pulling away from us, is not only normal but also a

5 Things That Tell You It’s Time For Structure

Routines give us a sense of security and help us develop self-discipline. Children have a “fear” of the unknown, it can be as simple as a new vegetable or a major life change that causes them to stress. Fun fact – the “unknown” edges out the fear of death and the fear of public speaking, as human beings, we are

What Your Teen Needs to Know Before They Move Out

Your child is no longer a baby, they are no longer a kid, they are officially an adult. Gulp! Scary thought sometimes. They have graduated high school and they are ready to go off to college or start a job and move out on their own. You ask yourself, “Are they ready?” Over the years, you have been slowly giving

Raising a Tech Free Child in a Tech Obsessed World

It is hard to stay unplugged in the world we live in today. Every day it seems to get more difficult, between apps, streaming shows, video games, music, social media, and the list goes on. There are more and more ways that our devices keep dragging us in and keeping us occupied. We feel unattached and lost if we put

66 Days to Better Mental Health

It takes 66 days to break a habit, create a new habit, change something in your life and make it your new norm. It seems like a long time, but when you really start doing it, the time flies by! Summer is a great time to create new and better habits for you and your family. When the school

Incorporating Play Therapy into your Therapy Sessions

Play Therapy is not just playing. Play therapy offers alternatives to everyday counseling. Play therapy is a structured, theoretical based approach to therapy, it builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children and teens. At CPC, we strategically utilize play therapy techniques to assist children and teens in expressing what is troubling them when they cannot find the

How Does Bullying Effect Bystanders?

Watching another person be bullied can have a huge impact on a child/teen. Most people are bothered when they see someone injured or insulted. Witnessing bullying creates a wide range of emotions and stresses that can take a toll on the bystander. From anxiety and uncertainty, to fear and guilt, bullying can significantly impact bystanders. Bystanders suffer from something called

Why You Should Have a Health Binder

Be Prepared! Parents never want to think the worst can happen to their child, however we all know that the unexpected can happen. If your child has mental health issues, it is imperative to have important information easily accessible, especially in emergency situations. Something many parents may not think about is having a Health Binder for their child, where

You are a Person, NOT a Diagnosis

Far too often in society, people use their diagnosis to define themselves. Self-labeling is a bad thing, here’s why. We have no perceived negatives such as stigma, prejudice or discrimination, attached to the term “survivor’. We like to think of the diagnosis as a short-hand way of helping describe a general concern or condition; however, it is not the be-all,

Getting Our Kids Involved

Colder temperatures and shorter days make staying inside much easier during the winter months, but a lack of outdoor playtime can take its toll on all of us, especially your kids. While it can be hard to wrangle children to get back indoors during the summer months, even the most active children may hesitate to run around and play outside

Giving Priority to What is Important

When you are asked to do something what is a typical response? “I am sorry, I don’t have time”. It is a go to response for almost everything, especially something we don’t want to do. Most people think they don’t have time, but you do. It is just a matter of whether you feel something is a priority and will

10 Fun Things to do This Summer In Winchester, VA

With summer upon is, the kids have been out of school for a few weeks and you might be starting to go a little stir crazy. There are so many things to do in the area, here are some of our favorite things to do in the area for simple day trips and different things to try to keep them

How to Navigate Divorce with Children

When you get divorced, you are not the only one getting divorced, in a manner of speaking your children are getting divorced as well. Their whole life is changing, and they have no control over it. They don’t get to make the decisions, they don’t get to have a say in anything that is going on, yet it all affects

What is the difference between a Counselor and a Pediatric Counselor?

A Counselor is a Counselor right? I mean you go to college to get a degree in Mental Health Counseling or Counseling Psychology. The short answer is no, not all Counselors are created equal. There are many specialized focuses a Counselor can have, including Pediatric. Pediatric Counseling is very specialized for many reasons. Mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive

If Everything is Important, then Nothing is Important

Every family can relate to a crazy long list of competing priorities, right? Spending quality family time at home vs. keeping the kids active. Saving money for college vs. taking nice vacations. One-on-one time with the kids or date night with your spouse. Putting in more hours at work to earn more money for the family or coaching the soccer

Social Skills- How to Make New Friends

When kids don’t follow social rules, others may think they’re self-centered or uncaring. Other kids may find their behavior annoying and back away. Your child may find himself being left out. Kids with poor social skills may be bullied by other children or viewed by adults as being disrespectful or rude. Here are a few common social rules it is

Transitioning to College

Going to college is more than just your normal going back to school routine. This is a significant milestone in the life of a family and requires an adjustment on the part of the college student, family members, and friends. The transition to college is often a time when students develop a new balance between separateness and connectedness with family

Co-Parenting – We’re Here, So Let’s Make It Successful

I know, you didn’t plan this, no one does. No one says, “let’s get married, have kids, and then split up.” It doesn’t happen that way and just because you got divorced doesn’t mean you stopped being parents. Everyone tries to make their marriage work and sometimes, it doesn’t. That’s life. What you must realize is that your children are

Self Care – Why It Should be a Priority

Are you sick of being sick? When is the last time you said no? Do you think taking care of yourself is selfish or inconsiderate? Think about the last time you were on a plane, now think about the announcements that are made as you are preparing for take-off. When they explain about the oxygen masks, they tell you put

Suicide Shouldn’t be a Taboo Topic

Suicide has a stigma surrounding it, but the silence needs to stop. The most powerful tool we have as a society in preventing suicide in our youths is talking about it. Getting it out in the open and showing care and compassion towards those contemplating it. Many people fear that talking about suicide is a trigger, that it will encourage

How Can I Tell if My Child/Teen is Being Bullied?

Does your child/teen always seem to be on their phone or electronics? Consumed with social media? Looking to social media for their self-worth? Withdrawn, not communicating with you? It may be a sign of something else, it may be that your child is being bullied. There are many signs that may indicate that your child is being bullied. It

Has Your Child/Teen Become a Tech Zombie?

Smart phones are overtaking our culture and in some instances, our lives. Our children and teens are slowly becoming tech zombies. They are constantly using their cell phones and other technological devices (laptops, computers, gaming systems, etc.) and are oblivious to the world around them, much like a zombie. Many parents don’t want their children to have smart phones, but

How Does Talk Therapy Work with Adolescents?

Talk therapy isn’t just “talking about your problems”; it is working toward solutions. The question is; does this always work? Especially when working with children and adolescents? Go back to when you were 6 years old. Did you know how to tell people what was bothering you? Most likely you didn’t even understand what was bothering you. How about when

Grief During the Holiday Season

The following guidelines are appropriate for recent loss as well as for loss experienced years ago. Additionally, they are suitable for children and adults. Do’s and Don’ts Do share positive tributes and stories. Even in not-so-good circumstances there are positives to be found and acknowledged about the loved one and their life. Do pay attention to the children who

‘Tis the Season. Children, Holidays, and Stress!

CPC offers some tips for families on reducing stress among children (please note: these tips work all year through for managing stress)

CPC Blog

Helpful mental health information for you!