Adolescents in Middle School: Part 2

Originally posted March 12, 2010 and has been updated By: Philippe Rey, Psy.D. Executive Director Let’s take a look at data from the California Adolescent Health Collaborative, which sheds light on issues affecting adolescents during the ages they are in middle school. Source: http://www.californiateenhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Mental_Health_Fact_Sheet.pdf Major depression strikes about 1 in 12 adolescents. Among those adolescents that develop […]

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Adolescents in Middle School: Part 1

Originally Posted March 10, 2010 and has been updated By: Philippe Rey, Psy.D. As adolescents go through the physical changes of puberty, they also must deal with a variety of psychological changes. As a parent of an adolescent entering middle school it’s a good idea to get acquainted with a list of typical behaviors exhibited […]

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How to talk with your teens, not at them

By MAUD PURCELL, LCSW, CEAP Source http://psychcentral.com/lib/how-to-talk-with-your-teenagers-not-at-them/000528 “Why can’t they be like we were?” Parents of teens ask themselves this and other preposterous questions as they navigate the treacherous waters of parenthood. Truth is, all healthy teens are somewhat temperamental, secretive and obstinate — it’s their job! What Happened to That Sweet, Compliant Kid I Knew? […]

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Teens are Receiving Mixed Messages about Marijuana

Source: yourteenmag.com By: Dr. Jack Stein The legalization of marijuana–whether medical, decriminalization or legal–is sending mixed messages to our teens. Is it like alcohol, for adults only? Is it addictive? We took our many questions to Dr. Jack Stein, Director, Office of Science Policy and Communications, National Institute on Drug Abuse. Now that marijuana is legal in […]

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Tips to Help Teenagers Clean Up Their Online Image

By Sue Scheff Source: yourteenmag.com/2014/05/help-teenagers-online-image/ #Digcit. Have you seen it and do you know what it means? The hashtag stands for digital citizenship. My mantra has been that this topic is as important as potty training toddlers.   The Internet is not going away. On the contrary, there’s no doubt that the Internet will play a […]

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Cultivating Mastery and Success WITH Your Teen

by Chris Chiochios, LMFT, Site Director at JLS Middle School With so much emphasis on achievement and concern about our children being prepared and “ready” to enter adulthood and be “successful”, there is a hidden cost that many youth can experience.  This cost involves developing a mindset that becomes fixed on what success means and […]

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Empathy in Communicating with your TechWorld Teen

Taryn Bogonovich, MFTI ACS’ Marriage and Family Therapist Intern As a co-facilitator of the ACS weekly parents support group, I often hear parents share that the world their kids are growing up in is so vastly different than their experience.  They just don’t understand their teen’s behavior and sometimes they don’t know how to manage […]

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Parent Education Night at PAUSD on April 24, 2014

Join ACS’ Program Director of On-Campus Counseling and other Professionals, Parents and Students to discuss “Is it Normal Or…? Understanding My Teen’s Emotions and Behaviours” on Thursday, April 24th from 7-9 pm at the PAUSD Board Room (25 Churchill Ave, Palo Alto). Professional panelists include: Susan Shultz, Guidance Counselor at Palo Alto High School; Meg […]

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What Mindfulness Means

By: Jennica Janssen Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program Intern “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” – Buddha Mindfulness is a broad term that is […]

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Did you know it’s “National Catch Your Teen Doing Something Right” Month?

By Merrett Sheridan, LMFT Site Director at Palo Alto High School Ok so I made that up, but why not?   Ask yourself when was the last time you gave your teen a truly heartfelt “atta boy” for something significant and for no reason other than to make them feel good?  By significant I don’t mean thanking them […]

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