Now that we have weathered several seasons of life in a pandemic, many of us have settled into the anxiety a bit. By now, most of us have given up countless get-togethers, forgone summer vacations or family reunions, and lost all kinds of previously taken-for-granted aspects of our day-to-day work or school lives. We have … Read more
This school year has begun like no other school year in history: online. The majority of students in Northern Virginia, and the rest of the country, are now a few weeks into distance learning. Students have become more accustomed to learning online at this point in the pandemic than they were in March. Still, distance … Read more
The stereotype surrounding teens and risky behavior is one that, in this case, is well-founded. Teens often don’t consider the consequences of their actions, even when they are well-informed about the risks. Or if they do consider the possible negative outcomes, somehow those consequences don’t get factored in to their decision making. This trouble with … Read more
Since the start of this COVID-19 pandemic, we have all faced an incredible amount of uncertainty about the future. Not knowing what is going to happen, social isolation, and having so many things out of our control increases the risk of experiencing feelings of anxiety and/or depression. We all have a desire for certainty and … Read more
Motivating children to complete assignments is a challenge many families face during a typical school year. During atypical times, such as the current school closures and subsequent move to parent-led instruction, this challenge can seem more overwhelming. Below are six strategies parents can implement to ease this interaction: Set Realistic Expectations. Expectations around assignments and … Read more
This is an incredibly challenging time in our world and we want you to know that FamilyFirst’s commitment to supporting the well-being of children, teens, adults, and families is stronger than ever. Our experienced and dedicated team of licensed clinical psychologists is now able to provide Teletherapy Services. Goals of teletherapy sessions (available for … Read more
“Unprecedented.” “Uncharted territory.” “No clear rules.” “Constantly changing.” These are just a few of the words and phrases being used to describe our life right now as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. Not knowing what is going to happen and having so many things out of our control are key contributors to anxiety, so it … Read more
One of the most powerful experiences humans can have is feeling truly heard and understood. And while this may not seem like it would be difficult or rare, there is more to being a good listener than we might expect. We can all recall times when we have tried to talk about something important and … Read more
The most wonderful and busiest time of the year is here! Holidays can be a time of joy and spending time with family and friends. But, it can also be a stressful time of the year. Taking care of yourself in the midst of all the parties and togetherness, shopping, and in general fulfilling the … Read more
Middle and high school students are more stressed and anxious now than in past decades. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, anxiety disorders in children and teens increased by 20 percent from 2007 to 2012. One reason for this troubling rise in anxiety is an increase in academic pressure. While we want … Read more
