A Therapy & Mental Wellness Blog

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Family counseling  is a powerful process that helps families navigate challenges, strengthen bonds, and create healthier dynamics. It seeks to address issues within family dynamics, improve relationships, and foster a supportive environment for all family members. At the heart of this therapeutic journey is the ability to communicate openly and effectively—a skill that can transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and

As a parent myself, I deeply understand the weight and responsibility that comes with ensuring the emotional and mental health of my children. In today's fast-paced, hyper-connected world, children are under immense pressure from a young age, whether it be from school, social media, or peer relationships. These stressors can take a toll on their mental health, often before they even have the tools to make sense of their emotions. That’s why parents must practice mindful paren

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Parenting can be both a challenging and rewarding experience for any parent. However, when a child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the challenges can be even greater. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder  that affects a child's ability to focus, control impulses, and manage their behavior. This can make daily activities such as getting ready for school, completing homework, and following directions much

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Understanding Anxiety in Children Being a parent or caregiver comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most common challenges parents face is seeing their children struggling and the desire to help them cope with anxiety eagerly. Anxiety is not uncommon, and it can start at a very young age. As adults, we hopefully have developed coping mechanisms to deal with anxiety—or at least try to manage it in the healthiest way

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Loving yourself can be difficult, and there is no blueprint, right or wrong, or a one-size-fits-all way. Additionally, it is often challenging to love yourself when you feel like other people don't love you or worse, when you experience bullying from others. Many adults struggle to balance loving themselves and being loved by others while dealing with the psychological effects of bullying such as low self-esteem and a negati

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT School is back in session, and the ease of summer has come to an end. Here are some simple tips from your therapist in Harrisburg, PA , for a successful school year and less frustration between you and your children are as easy as: Set up a bedtime and wake-up routine in advance. Working on going to bed at a designated time and waking up when the child needs to get ready for school can be done at least two weeks before school

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Sunday, September 13th is National Grandparents Day. Is it just a Hallmark holiday, giving the industry a reason to make a little money to produce cards for you to send to your grandparents? No, it's actually a real holiday established in 1970 to honor grandparents. It is always celebrated the Sunday after Labor Day. Grandparents are very special people. Some children have never met his or her grandparents, while others h

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT By now, we know that birth order does matter. It can affect your personality in both negative and positive ways. While other factors play into who you are and why, birth order has a strong influence. We have no control over it, so how can we embrace it? Let’s begin by identifying birth order and the characteristics associated with it. If you are the first born: You are known as the high achiever, go getter, and are ex

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Everyone needs sleep to function properly. Children need more sleep than adults and babies need more sleep than anyone. Why do You need sleep? Sleep gives our body a time to rest and recharge for the next day. Many people believe that sleep gives your brain time to sort things out. Things often seem clearer after a good night's sleep. How can you get your child to have a better night's sleep? Have a steady bedtime routine

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Is it different to grieve for a grandparent than it is for a peer or young person? Of course it is. We all know according to the life cycle, it is customary that you bury your parents and grandparents. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. Dealing with grief after the death of a grandparent can be heartbreaking. There is no love like the love from your grandparents. They spoil you, let you stay up late, sugar you up with