As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your child from harm and make sure they grow up healthy and happy. You make sure they wear a bike helmet and knee pads, but if they do take a tumble and break an arm, you immediately seek medical attention. Some “boo-boos” aren’t as noticeable […]
4 Things You Need to Know About Adolescent Anxiety
Anxiety is like fire: It can keep us safe and warm, or completely devastate our property and our lives. It’s good to be a little anxious at times. When walking down a deserted street at night, anxiety keeps us on alert and ready to fight or take flight should a dangerous situation arise. But for […]
Kathleen’s Thoughts on Summer Fever & Ending the School Year Well
Summer fever is on the move in school age children all over the world. We have all been there and are very aware of those irritating symptoms that not only affect the child, but all those involved in their school- life journey. Of course, there is only one cure and that is summer break. […]
How to Lovingly Parent a Depressed Child
Being a parent is the hardest job on the planet. But being a parent of a child with a mental illness can feel unbearable at times. All parents want to do what’s right for their kids, but when your child is sick, either physically or mentally, the desire to “get it right” becomes even more […]
Self-Care Tips for Parents of Special Needs Children
The concept of selflessness is often seen as a virtue; and yet, if we fail to fulfill our own needs and nurture ourselves, we are less able to help and serve others. As a parent of a child with special needs, you probably spend most of your days so busy with the demanding needs of […]
How Focusing on Your Faith Can Help with Depression & Anxiety
It has long been believed that having faith is key to getting through some of life’s greatest challenges. A spiritual practice can often give people the strength and confidence to push through obstacles and make positive changes. But can faith have a positive effect on depression and anxiety? According to new research, it can. Your […]
Don’t Get Mad, Get Involved: Helping Your Child with Class Behavioral Issues
No parent likes hearing that their child is acting out in class. At first, most of us want to blame ourselves and figure out what we’ve done wrong. When we come up empty, we tend to put the blame on our child, and sometimes we even get angry. The truth is, parents do the best […]
We’ve Moved Our Orange County Office!
We outgrew our space in Orange County and have relocated to an adjacent property where we have a nicely equipped facility to serve our clients including a room that is friendly to children and adolescents! We look forward to meeting the therapeutic needs of the whole family at: Orangewood II 1820 W. Orangewood Avenue Suite […]
PTSD is no respecter of persons…thoughts from Kathleen Shanahan
PTSD has the potential to turn a persons world upside down, and it’s no respecter of persons. We are all one traumatic experience away from experiencing the terrifying effects that wounds the brain and creates chaos in the body. It hurts and the body has an uncanny way of remembering the pain and holding onto […]
Welcome Kathleen Shanahan!
I am delighted to welcome Kathleen Shanahan, Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (#AMFT87529) to my team and to announce formation of a group practice called Restored Connections Family Therapy, A Professional Corporation. Kathleen and I both completed our Master of Arts degrees in Marriage & Family Therapy at Hope International University a few years apart from […]