Executive function (EF) is the set of skills that helps us plan, stay organized, manage emotions, and shift between tasks. For children, these skills are still developing, and when they lag behind, daily life can feel harder—for them and for the whole family. Children who struggle with EF often have trouble following directions, moving between […]
The Art of Pausing: Creating Space for Gratitude and Growth
People feel trapped by prior commitments. Parents worry about providing the right experiences for their children. Family schedules are so full that there’s little room for genuine connection. It’s common for children to have tightly structured days, leaving almost no free time. Parents, too, feel strained as they shuffle their kids from one activity to […]
The Avoidance Trap
Accommodation: Parents Avoidance Trap Anxiety is a prevalent topic in media and professional training spaces today. It’s also a fundamental part of how our nervous system is wired. In my work with teens, I often hear them say, “I just want anxiety to go away.” My response is usually, “I haven’t figured out how to […]
A Pathway Towards Connection in a Polarized World: Exploring the Roles We Can Play in Division
This is the first of a series on navigating the polarized culture within families. We at Traverse Counseling & Consulting care deeply about supporting families in maintaining connections even when there are differences that can seem insurmountable. We hope that this series enhances both your professional work and your personal lives and relationships! For most […]
Who put Anxiety in Charge? How to get parents back in charge when Anxiety and Distress are present in our Children
Leading children THROUGH their anxiety to overcome it. When kids are distressed, refusing to go to school, nervous, anxious, and everything in between, it is heartbreaking and frustrating (insert all the emotions here) for parents. Seeing your kid cry and shake because they are distressed and don’t want to go to school (insert distress you […]