As a therapist who specializes in working with kids, teens, parents, and families, I have noticed a growing and very concerning trend in my work. So many of the kids, teens, and even young adults that I work with are struggling with anxiety, crippling perfectionism, and so much self doubt that they struggle to do things they desperately want to be doing. At the root of so much of this are feelings of incompetence and a huge fear of failure. 
 
I have been contemplating this challenge and recent parenting trends and have noticed that this happens more in the families I work with where parents seem to be struggling to let their kids deal with things on their own. Unfortunately, these parents get kind of a bad rap as “helicopter” parents when in fact, they are parents who are simply struggling to know when it is appropriate to let their kid/teen/young adult fail or struggle through something. And the root of this struggle is usually so much love for their little one (who may not be so little anymore) as well as overwhelming fear about what might happen for their kid/teen/young adult if they do not participate so heavily in their lives. 
 
This fear is one most parents know well. What if they don’t get into a good college?  What if they make choices that screw up their whole life? What if they do something I can’t help them undo?  What if they can’t get a good job? And the list just goes on and on. As a result (I believe), we are overdoing it in the parenting department. We are rescuing our kids way too much and then we come to find that our kids seem to need to be rescued.  Weird huh. 
 
When you look at what happens and what a person will think if they are being rescued from situations, it starts to make sense. When we rescue a person from a situation that they are either capable of handling on their own or almost capable of handling on their own, the message we are giving them is not one of their own ability but one of their need for us to handle things for them. We teach them that they need us and that they can’t do these things on their own. We teach them to ask for help before they need it, before problem solving on their own, and to at all costs avoid struggling with something. 
 
Instead, we need to give our kids the following kinds of messages by verbalizing them as well as by our actions in letting them handle most problems on their own: 
 

• “I know you are struggling but you are also resourceful and able to figure things out on your own”
• “I’m here to help but I can’t solve this problem for you”
• “I have faith that you can figure this out” 
• “No matter what happens, we will figure this out together but you need to take some steps at solving the problem first”
• “I know it’s hard, but you can do hard things” 

 
I could go on and on but I won’t. The point is that we definitely need to help when it is needed. But we are so often confused about when it is needed that we are rescuing way too often, which is not helping our kids/teens/young adults develop into the independent and capable people that we know they are meant to be.  I encourage you to trust yourself as a parent and trust your “little one,” however old they may be, that they can figure things out and will benefit from a little struggle and failure along the way. Just like most of us did on our way to becoming independent adults. 
 

It’s important to remember that every day can be meaningful. It’s truly a new chance to reflect, grow, and make small changes as we navigate through life. Over the years, I have jotted down little reminders, affirmations, quotes, and expressions that I've heard, read, or made up. They seem to really help me when I'm looking for more strength. I wanted to share them with you in the hopes that they will help you, too. 

1. Stick to the present. Rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past, focus on what is actually happening now and what is actually in your power to do now. It’s important to understand that happiness does not lie in the past or the future. It lies in the present moment.
2. Pain is out of your control. Self-compassion is in your control.  
3. You’re imperfect, like everyone else, and that's OK. Your self-worth is not dependent on an accomplishment, number, or status.  
4. You have already overcome so many things.
5. You need to ignore what everyone else is doing and achieving. Your life is about breaking your own limits. You are not in competition with anyone else. Plan to outdo your past, not other people.
6. You are constantly changing; your world is constantly changing; everything you experience (physical, mental, and emotional) will come and go. 
7. The longest relationship you’ll have in your life is the one with yourself. Other people will come and go, but you’ll be with yourself from birth until death. The sooner you decide to start being kind to yourself, the longer you have to live life supporting rather than undermining yourself.
8. Whatever it is that you’re going through, chances are there are thousands of others going through a similar experience. Being perfect is not what connects people. Vulnerability brings us closer together.
9. To ask for help is not a sign of weakness; it's actually a sign of strength, courage and intelligence. 
10. Just breathe. You got this. 
    

Lauren is welcoming new referrals and enjoys working with children, teens, and adults of all ages!  For more information about her approach to therapy, check out her bio here!  
 

 Anxiety is a tough thing to experience during our usual schedules and lives, let alone during the high pressure and expectations of the holidays!  The gift giving and receiving, pressure to make everything Pinterest Perfect, and family get togethers that are sometimes anything but jolly – is a recipe for increased anxiety and stress for all of us!  So, in preparation for the festive holiday season, I thought it might be helpful to go through some ideas of ways to help manage stress this holiday season, particularly if you are a parent with anxiety. 
 

1. Let some things go…  I mean this in so many ways. Try to let go of your expectations of yourself and others but also let go of things that cause stress or even financial debt. Maybe make a list of all of the things you feel you need to do and events you need to attend and make sure the things you commit to are truly most important to you. 
2. Focus on what matters to you and your family… What are your favorite holiday traditions and things you want to focus on this year? Often, we end up with a list of 10000 things we think we need to do, make, etc. but try to focus on just the top 5 things that are important to you or your kids. 
3. Slow down… Find some time to just slow down this holiday season. Schedule in some high quality family time where you just relax together and play some board games or watch a movie. Not everything you do is going to be Instagram worthy and that is okay! 

 
I know these tips are a bit easier to write than they are to do for many of us. I believe that the more we as parents can get in touch with our values and what is most important to us, the more we can slow down and do things that really matter. Plus, the more we are likely to enjoy them which means our whole family will be happier!   

As I contemplated what to blog about this week, I was thinking about how two years ago, I had also recently moved my office and was focusing on growing a very new private practice. I was reflecting on my blog post from that time frame, called, Top Quotes for Times of Transition, Change, and Struggle. Interestingly enough, much of what I talked about during that period also applies today! 
 
As many of you know, in the past two years what was originally just “my” practice has grown to now have three employees with the soon to be addition of two to three more!  We relocated at the beginning of this year to a new, much more spacious and professional building, re-branded as Thrive Therapy Studio, and have been focused on expanding our services. It has certainly been an amazing, inspiring whirlwind. With any new beginning, even ones that we recognize as necessary and positive in our lives, all kinds of emotions are stirred up. For me, taking the leap of faith to grow and expand the business has been a challenge and stirs up a lot of my fears and vulnerabilities. Personally, I am also taking a big leap forward in that we are expecting a new addition (our first child!) to our family in August. So, it seemed like just the right time to revisit the top quotes for times of transition, change, and struggle!

The below list does not include the quotes that I listed two years ago. If you would like to see those as well, please go ahead and click here for the original blog post!

Here are my latest Top Quotes for Times of Transition, Change, and Struggle:

• “Don’t confuse your path with your destination. Just because it’s stormy now, doesn’t mean you are not headed to sunshine.” - Unknown
• On particularly rough days when I’m sure I can’t possibly endure, I like to remind myself that my track record for getting through bad days so far is 100% and that’s pretty good.” - Unknown
• Painful as it may be, a significant emotional event can be the catalyst for choosing a direction that serves us more effectively. Look for the learning.” - Louisa May Alcott
• “ As I look back on my life every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better.” - Steve Maraboli
• “On of the hardest lessons in life is letting go. Whether it’s guilt, anger, love, loss, or betrayal. Change is never easy. We fight to hold on and we fight to let go.” - Unknown
• “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.” - J.K. Rowling
• “The irony is that we attempt to disown our difficult stories to appear more whole or more acceptable, but our wholeness – even our wholeheartedness – actually depends on the integration of all our experiences, including the falls.” - Brene Brown
• “I know this transformation is painful, but you’re not falling apart; you’re just falling into something different, with a new capacity to be beautiful.” – William C. Hannan
• “It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” – Leonardo Da Vinci
• “Courage is not being “fearless.” Courage is shaking at the knees, choking on your words, heart gripped by uncertainty, but stepping forward on your journey anyway.” – Rebecca Ray
• “Fear can be a sign that we’re exiting our comfort zone, leaping into something beautiful.” – Keri Nola
• “We are all broken. That’s how the light gets in.” – Ernest Hemingway
• “Something very beautiful happens to people when their world has fallen apart: a humility, a nobility, a higher intelligence emerges at just the point when our knees hit the floor.” – Marianne Williamson
• “If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try.” – Seth Godin
• “Sometimes our lies have to be completely shaken up, changed, and rearranged to relocate us to the place we’re meant to be.” – Unknown
• “Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” – Chadyhmas.com
• “If you aren’t in the arena also getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.” – Brene Brown

 
Thanks for reading as always!  If you want to add to my list of quotes, please feel free to share in the comments! 
 
If you would like to talk with a Thrive Therapist about your child or teen attending therapy with one of us, please reach out to us either via email at ewollerman.psyd@gmail.com or phone at 858-342-1304.
 
If you would like to receive updated information about Thrive Therapy, please feel free to sign up for our newsletter through the following link: http://eepurl.com/cvGx5n.

As always, thanks for reading  and comments are always welcome regarding any issues around child, teen therapy and adult psychotherapy services in San Diego by Thrive Therapy Studio.  

Thank you so much for continuing to read our blog series on Teens and Motivation!  This is the final segment to our series and if you missed Part 1 and Part 2, check them out here and here! 
 
We can’t discuss how to motivate teens without looking a bit more at what motivation actually is. In our culture, we often think of motivation as something that is a static, ongoing state. People are often described as being motivated, or not. Motivation is often thought of as something quick and easy that you can just become all of a sudden. Unfortunately, motivation is much more complex than all of this would suggest and despite what Oprah and her “aha” moments might tell you, it can be a long process in getting someone ready for change. Additionally, motivation is variable and changes over time.
 
When anyone presents for therapy, particularly parents on behalf of their children or teens, they are wanting changes and they usually want them quickly. A big part of my job is to understand the client and evaluate their readiness for change. A key component of how I do this is through utilizing a psychological theory called The Transtheoretical Model of Change by Prochaska and DiClemente which is often just referred to as Stages of Change for simplicity. This is a model of change that was initially used to understand addiction but is a helpful framework when considering any person who is contemplating a change in their lives.
 
Here is a brief overview of the stages:

1. Pre-contemplation: This can be summed up as the time before a person realizes that they either need or want to make a change. “I don’t need to change.” Sometimes referred to as “denial.”
2. Contemplation: When a person is considering change. The hallmark of this stage is ambivalence, which means that the person is on the fence about change. Perhaps part of them feels change is needed and possible but another part argues against it. “Hmmm… Should I change?”
3. Preparation: Getting ready to change
4. Action: Actually making the changes
5. Maintenance: Living the changes

 
Parents need to know the following about stages of change:

• Stages of Change and motivation are directly connected
• A person has motivation even when they are in the contemplation stage and not making changes
• Motivation essentially means: our desire to change + confidence in doing so > fears, challenges of change, etc. This is usually a product of leaving the contemplation stage and entering preparation.
• They are not linear – people go back and forth between these stages all the time
• Example: Think of times you have tried to go on a diet or implement an exercise routine

 
At Thrive, we specifically focus on stages of change and helping our clients build motivation through a specific way of talking about change called “Motivational Interviewing.” This style of communication is collaborative and goal oriented and elicits and explores a person’s own reasons to change. We create a feeling of acceptance and compassion for our clients, rather than judgment or criticism. Our goal is to elicit “change talk” from our clients, which is when the teen talks about changes they want to make, rather than when I “tell” them what they should change.
 
This style of communication is what my ingredients for motivation try to mimic for parents. In review, we want to connect with our teens, have faith in their ability to problem solve, allow them to make mistakes, give consequences where appropriate, and let them lead!  These are the ingredients that produce a collaborative environment and discussion similar to what we create in our office that can help you support your teen towards making changes and feeling motivated!
 
If you would like to talk with a Thrive Therapist about your child or teen attending therapy with one of us, please reach out to us either via email at ewollerman.psyd@gmail.com or phone at 858-342-1304.
 
For more information about the upcoming Parenting with Intention Workshop at Thrive, please contact Angela Bianco, ASW directly at 858-952-8835 or by email at angelabianco.asw@gmail.com. Angela is supervised by Erica Wollerman, PsyD (PSY25614) and questions regarding teen therapy can also be directed to Erica and the general Thrive team at 858-342-1304!
 
If you would like to receive updated information about Thrive Therapy, please feel free to sign up for our newsletter through the following link: http://eepurl.com/cvGx5n.
 
As always, thanks for reading  and comments are always welcome regarding any issues around child, teen counseling and adult psychotherapy services in San Diego by Thrive Therapy Studio.