The topic of chores tends to come up in therapy for a number of reasons. Sometimes it is because parents are exhausted. Or, it is an inquiry into what is realistic. And other times it is because learning responsibility (and independence) is what would be helpful to the presenting problem. Today we are sharing...
How Long Does Therapy Take?
“How long does therapy take?” is a common question that comes up on an initial phone call with someone looking to start therapy. So I wanted to take a minute to answer them in case you have that question too. So, how long does therapy take? Like most things, the answer is “it depends”....
Did Your Kid Hear That? What Kids Know and How to Communicate About It.
We talk a lot in sessions about what kids hear and witness when there is stress going on inside a family. Did they hear it or see it? Do they know? If a parent cries or parents argue, on some level, kids are going to know. They might directly see or hear. Or they...
Should You Push Your Child to Be In Therapy?
So you see that your child, preteen or teen could really benefit from therapy. And, your child, preteen or teen doesn’t want to do it. This is a tough dilemma. One that comes from being an aware and attuned parent. So, right there, you are already winning. You are doing a great job. I...
When Your Child or Teen is Resistant to Therapy: What to Do
There are lots of first phone calls that start with “my child needs therapy, but I don’t know what is going to work”. Some parents will say: “maybe I’m the one who needs help!”. Or they say: “we’ve tried therapy before, but it didn’t work. I don’t know what to do!” It’s...
Welcome Nikki Eby, M.A., MFT, ATR-BC
We are thrilled to be welcoming Nikki Eby, M.A., MFT, ATR-BC to our staff of licensed clinicians at One Heart Counseling Center. Nikki comes to One Heart Counseling Center with over 10 years of experience in the field of marital and family therapy as well as art therapy, right in line with the rest...
Keeping Your Cool When Your Kids Are Not
I think we go into parenthood with the intention of showing love to our children and staying calm when our children are upset or misbehaving. We plan to parent in such a way that our children will only need to be told to do something once before they listen and immediately follow directions. I...
Our Heart is Expanding! New Satellite Office in Costa Mesa
A new Art Therapy resource for Orange County! One Heart Counseling Center is excited to announce its new location in Costa Mesa, close to the 405, 73, and 55 freeways. Our new satellite office offers mindfulness based therapy, art therapy, and counseling services for children, teens, and adults dealing with a wide variety of...
Help Your Child Build This Essential Skill
Our very own Anna Pirkl, M.A., MFT, ATR, LAADAC partnered with South Bay Families Connected to produce this short video to support parents in knowing how to support their kids in building compassion. Anna talks about specific ways to do this with your child, in your home and in your community. South Bay Families...
What’s Really Going on Underneath Your Child’s Misbehaviors (and How to Respond)
Children naturally have big and strong emotions. Unlike many of their adult counterparts, they are still learning. They may not know how to regulate their feelings or what to do with them when they come up. This can lead to what we, as parents, may see as “misbehaviors.” It’s important to understand what feeling...