Child Or Adolescent Issues Category
Searching for A Child's Best Interest in Adoption
Adoption defined in freedictionary.com is a legal proceeding that creates a parent-child relationship between persons not related by blood; the adopted child is entitled to all privileges belonging to a natural child of the adoptive parents (including the right to inherit). For the purposes of this article, the underlying assumption includes no biological relationship with the adoptee. This author recognizes kinship adoptions but this article is specific to adoptee living in non biological families.
The sound of this definition is appropriate, legal, and simple. A child born to another family becomes legally bound through the adoption agreement to a family with whom there is no DNA or shared blood type. What you may find interesting is how adoption began.
The practice of adoption can be traced to ancient laws and the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi. Adoption functioned as a means to continue the family line. Even historically, the interest of the adoptive family superseded that of the a...
The Boy and the Dragons...
(Author’s note: This story will be blogged in two separate postings, one now and the other within the next few weeks).
There once was a Boy, fair of skin and blue of eyes, who was born in the middle of the U.S.A. It was a green land of oaks and sycamores, soybeans and hog farmers. There were cicadas and fireflies. The people talked slow and went to church. They were conservative, and slow to adopt the inevitable changes that leaked in from both oceans. They voted for John Kennedy, but they were uncomfortable with people whose skin was a different color. It was in the bible, they said.
The Boy lived in a small red brick house. On Sunday afternoons, he would sit on the front porch in a blue metal porch swing. He was surrounded by three other small blue-eyed children. The Boy was the oldest of his siblings. He reminded them often of this. Seated in the middle of these children was a balding man with curly hair and blue eyes. Next to him was a petite woman with green eyes, built to...
Treating Teens for Substance Abuse
Treatment professionals have only recently recognized that substance-abuse treatment programs for adolescents cannot simply be scaled-down versions of adult programs. Adolescents are not simply “little adults.”
Unlike their adult counterparts, adolescents in treatment have more family difficulties, are more likely to have psychological problems, and are more likely to have attempted suicide. Their alcohol and drug-use patterns are also different. Teens tend to abuse multiple substances, while adults are more singular in their focus.
The path to hitting a “bottom” is also different. For adults, entry into treatment is usually heralded by loss of job are family, chronic medical problems, and/or encounters with the law. The “red flags” for adolescents are more subtle and revealed in school performance, peer relationships, and interactions within family of origin, as well as involvement with the judicial system.
For most teens, referral to treatment is...
Cyber Bullying - Protect your Children
Technology and youth seem destined for each other. They are both young, fast paced, and ever changing. In the last 20 years there has been an explosion in new technology. This new technology has been eagerly embraced by young people and has led to expanding knowledge, social networks, and vocabulary that includes instant messaging (“IMing”), blogging, and text messaging. * But this fast paced, instant connection that young people are as connected to as they as they once were to the umbilical cord, can present a myriad of problems and even potential threats to their well being. Cyber bullying or "Electronic Aggression is any type of harassment or bullying that occurs through e-mail, a chat room, instant messaging, a website (including blogs), or text messaging." * In the past, kids and teens could escape peer pressure, social teasing or bullying while at home, protected and somewhat insulated, but today technology has chipped away at this protection.
This type of peer press...
Parenting after Separation & Divorce
The thought of communicating with your ex-spouse, after a break-up or divorce, may seem daunting, infuriating, or even off-limits. But what about when children are involved? This is the time to put forth serious efforts and considerations, in order to overcome challenges, for the sake of your children.
While overcoming built-up resentment and a potentially painful history with your ex will prove difficult, it is important to put your children’s needs ahead of your own. Your marriage may be over; but your family is not. Your children are your most important priority and it should be recognized that they are more important than the conflict that ended the marriage.
So how do you challenge this obstacle?
Try to establish a completely new relationship with your ex-spouse – a parenting partnership; also known as co-parenting. This new relationship will not be about you or your spouse’s feelings but rather it will focus on your child’s happiness, stability, and wel...
Night Fears in Children
It’s normal and common for young children to be afraid of the dark. One study showed over 73% of kids aged 4-12 years said they experienced fear at night (Muris et al 2001). While another study showed that even up to the age of 16 teens, admitted to nighttime anxieties or fears. Research shows that if parents treat their children’s fears at an early age, they can help their children avoid emotional problems later in life.
Kids need your help in overcoming nighttime fears.
1) Help them by teaching them how to handle their emotions. Young children don’t know how to calm themselves down. Sit with your child and help them breath slowly to calm themselves. Hold them and comfort them when they are scared.
2) Sit with your child and help them look at their room in the dark. Point out “that bump is the lamp on your desk or a pile of toys”
3) Leaving a dim nightlight can be helpful. For other children leaving their door open at bedtime can also create a sense o...
MINDFULNESS-BASED ART THERAPY
Mindfulness is a state of mind where the focus on the bodily sensations is at its highest peak. A mindful person is aware of how his/her body is reacting to the anxiety provoking thoughts and symptoms of anxiety.
In the practice of mindful art therapy one practices to be present and remain present to face distressing thoughts, fears, future, or expectations of others. Changing your responses rather than reacting is the aim of mindfulness art therapy.
The latter could be practiced with art activities, which we will introduce in future posts. Please follow our posts on www.montrealarttherapy.com
By: Reyhane Namdari/ Art Therapist
Does a Dog in the Office Make it Animal Assisted Therapy?
Because of the recent press about the amazing benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy more and more therapists are bringing their dogs to work. Is this Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animal Assisted Therapy involves a trained counselor or therapist working with a trained animal in a goal-directed way within that therapists' area of expertise. The therapist should be trained in conducting Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and ideally have completed a training and/or Certification program as well. While there are no state or national standards to call oneself an "Animal Assisted Therapist" it is considered an area of specialty. As part of their training a therapist learns how to integrate the animal(s) safely and effectively into the therapeutic process. The safety of both the client and the animal must be monitored and considered at all times; during AAT the animal is working - this can be tiring and stressful for any animal. This is why most trained AAT clincians work only with animal...
Struggling Adolescents
Even children and adolescents who have parents who do a lot of "right" things for their children can struggle with "issues." (Although the word "issues" is not a favorite one, it helps to describe struggles that many of us face.) It is very easy as a society to point to any child who is acting out, making poor choices, or behaving aggressively and place the blame squarely on the parents' shoulders. While it is true that parents have a significant impact on their children and the choices that the children make and the parent's role cannot be ignored or downplayed, it is also equally true that children are autonomous and have their own thoughts and feelings.
Children and adolescents have a lot of influences to sort through and navigate in today's society. We have to remember that media and social networking are huge factors, as are peer relationships, school environments, body chemistry (teen hormones!), and changes in their lives such as moving, parents divorcing, death of a loved one,...
TESTING ANXIETY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Studies have shown that anxiety, a common emotion among human beings, can have negative effects on school performance... To read more, please visit www.blog.montrealarttherapy.com
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