Grief shows up differently for each of us depending on the circumstance. How we grieve and how long it takes is personal and different for everyone. As an expressive art’s therapist in Harrisonburg, VA the creativity, community, and intentions that are part of the Day of the Dead celebrations can be healing.

Skeleton Festival provided many community and mental health benefits to the people of Harrisonburg and the surrounding communities. The unity and shared experiences of the diversity that is Harrisonburg, the creativity that was inspired and expressed, the nervous systems that were calmed and re-set, and the social and developmental lessons that were gained by children and teens are priceless. Thank you to the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance team

Over the past year, I have had many caregivers say to me during the initial consult that they had been looking for a child or teen therapist for as long as six months.

You are concerned. Maybe your child or teen is angry, have self harmed, are isolating, having school issues, having concerning behaviors, or there are significant family issues they are facing. You have never looked for a child or teen counselor before. What do you do? What do you say? What do you ask? Who do you turn to?

Let me help you with understanding the “therapy language” when looking for counseling in Harrisonburg, Va. What does LPC, LCSW, LMFT, and LMHC mean when looking for counseling in Harrisonburg VA for child or teen therapy?

The Shenandoah Valley has many great psychologists, counselors, and therapists. But how do you know which one is a good fit for your child or teen?

7 things to ask a Harrisonburg counselor when looking for child or teen therapy in Harrisonburg, VA.

Your child and teen's mental health is important to you. Let me help you find a child or teen counselor in Harrisonburg, VA.

 5 Tips for what to look for in a child or teen therapist.

When hiring a therapist to provide counseling in Harrisonburg, Va for your child and teen you want someone who is knowledgeable. Someone who understands kids. Your kid! You want someone your family can relate to, feel safe with, and learn to communicate with.

Playing games brings families together. It creates a space for laughter, friendly competition, and problem-solving skills that strengthen family connections and relationships.

Creativity on a Snow Day is not about the art it is about the process. The process of engaging the mind, strengthening fine motor skills, developing problem solving skills, building connections to things and people, and having fun.

There is a lot of research on the benefits of being in nature and play. One of the best-known researchers on this topic is Richard Louv. https://richardlouv.com/books His book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

You do not have to love or hate snow, but if you have children and teens you do have to consciously prepare and regulate both your emotional and physical response to a Snow Day. Children with trauma and mental health issues and teens with trauma and mental health issues need even more stability and predictability as their nervous systems are already on edge. Being aware of this and consciously preparing is a good way to have the best “Snow Day” possible.

How can a caregiver ease the stress on themselves and the children in their care if the Holidays are a little greyer than what society tells us they should be? Read the blog to learn more.

Click to read Melissa’s 7 Tips for Handling Frustration