Behavioral Health Clinic

  Most parents have said, at one point or another, the words: “Take a deep breath.” “Calm down.” “Relax.” Even when said with the best intentions, those words can sometimes prove to be unhelpful and can escalate the situation. It can also feel confusing, frustrating, and discouraging. If your child can calm down sometimes, why can’t they do it now? Are they purposely not listening? Are they being dramatic? Maybe manipulative? The short answer to this is… not usually. When kids feel overwhelmed, their nervous system is the one driving the bus, and their attitudes, reasoning skills, and ability to listen take a back seat. Understanding what is happening in a child’s body during these moments of distress can completely change how we view their behavior and in turn, how we support them through it. What Happens in a Child’s Body When They’re Upset When a child becomes very upset, their body reacts to that stress automatically. This isn’t something they choose to do, and it also isn...

  Introduction  Parenting is a journey of love, nurturing, and growth. While parenting comes with its unique set of challenges, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) parents face additional hurdles in their journey to create loving and supportive families. In this article, we will explore some of the challenges that LGBT parents may encounter, shedding light on the resilience, love, and strength that define their unique parenting experiences.  Legal and Social Barriers  One of the most significant challenges faced by LGBT parents is the legal and social barriers that can hinder their ability to form a family. In some regions, adoption and foster care agencies may discriminate against same-sex couples, making it more difficult for them to provide a loving home for children in need. Legal recognition of LGBT families, including parental rights and recognition of both parents as legal guardians, can also vary from one place to another.  Confronting Prejudi...

It’s getting to be that time of year again; leaves are turning colors, decorations are on the shelves, and kids are thinking about upcoming costumes and candy. Halloween is a favorite holiday for many children (and adults) and it’s not hard to see why. Who wouldn’t like an excuse to go all-out with theatrics, dress-up, and then get free sweets on top of that? However, for many parents and guardians out there, this year might be the year you realize that your little one isn’t so ‘little’ anymore. So, when is it the right time to hang up the witch-hat and pumpkin basket? “Aren’t you a bit old to be trick or treating?” Parents are primed from pregnancy to make sure their child is meeting all of the right milestones and developmental stages in life. If they don’t get to these stages, it is easy to worry that something may be amiss in the child’s development, or that you’re not doing something correctly as a parent. However, unlike your child’s first steps and losing all their teeth, trick ...

The transition to motherhood brings with it many changes. This can be a very difficult time for many. Mothers are expected to be happy. Joyful. Ecstatic. Immediately ready to be a mother and care for their child. When a mother does not feel this way, it can be scary and confusing. According to Babycenter, 40 to 80 percent of new mothers will experience what is called the “baby blues.” This is when during the first few days after delivery, a mother feels tearful, unhappy, is worried, experiences self-doubt, and is fatigued. This can be explained by many different factors; hormones, adjustment, lack of sleep, lack of self-care, and others. The “baby blues” will typically go away within a few weeks. When these blues persist, increase in severity, lead to feelings of despair or hopelessness, significant behavioral changes, intense worry, feelings of inadequacy, and/or thoughts of harming oneself and/or the infant, it indicates that the mother may be experiencing Postpartum Depression. Less...

Erinn McCabe, LPC, SAS, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Substance Abuse Specialty. She received her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Erinn’s expertise includes providing individual, family, and couples therapy to address a wide variety of issues including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, LGBT struggles, parenting concerns, abuse and other trauma history, grief and loss, substance abuse, and other mental health concerns. Erinn provides play therapy for children ages 3 years and up and is trained in Theraplay-based methods to promote healthy attachment in children and adults. She is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help individuals that struggle with adjustment concerns and trauma. Erinn’s philosophy is grounded in interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, as well as mindfulness. Erinn is an open-minded individual who provides empathy and guidance to her clients...

Things can become chaotic in our lives, or at the very least, overwhelming at times and in those moments, we search for a sense of power and control. When we focus on what we have control over in times of distress we are better able to manage our mood, our thinking, and our actions. When we have power and control, we feel safe. This is no different for children. Children often attempt to control their environment which, when they are unsuccessful, can lead to them displaying negative moods and behaviors. A helpful way to guide your child through difficult moments is to share power with them when you feel it is appropriate. Continuing to use this technique even when the child is not in distress can also prevent negative situations from occurring. When I talk about sharing power and control, I mean giving your child some say over what occurs in their day-to-day life. You are the parent or caregiver, so you remain “the boss” in the situation however you can give the child control in small...

Having children brought a whirlwind of change into my life that-if I am to be truly honest-I didn’t expect. Before the birth of our first child, my husband and I read all the baby books we could. We attended childbirth classes and spent countless hours on the Internet preparing for life with our baby. People told us that we were in for a big surprise. They told us our lives would change drastically. But only after our daughter, Molly, was born, did we discover just how unprepared we were for life as parents. Life with a baby was suddenly more complicated, intense, exciting, and overwhelming. Life’s high and low points seemed drastically higher and lower. I remember shedding tears of joy with the loving thoughts I had for Molly…and tears of desperation, because I just couldn’t keep up with everything that needed to get done. A few months later-just as Molly started walking, then running, then saying, “No”-we learned we were expecting again. My husband and I wondered how we would ever ma...