August always brings with it a range of feelings, including anxiety about the upcoming transition back to school. Some children eagerly anticipate returning to school, meeting their new teachers and re-connecting with their peers. Others are not quite so enthusiastic. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind to ease back-to-school anxiety as the … Read more
The Power of Attention How and when parents pay attention to their children’s behaviors has a powerful influence on their future choice of behaviors. All too often parents naturally gravitate to noticing and calling out negative or disruptive behaviors. One of my favorite parenting tips is “catch your children being good” which refers to looking … Read more
Summer break is often seen as a time for sunshine, freedom, and relaxation. But for many teens and young adults in Vienna, this season can unexpectedly bring feelings of anxiety and unease. Without the familiar routine of school or college, young people may face heightened emotions, social stress, and uncertainty about the future. At FamilyFirst, … Read more
School’s out for summer! While most teens are thrilled for summer break and more “down time,” many parents worry that the decrease in daily demands over the summer will lead to too much screen time for our kids. It can be particularly hard for parents to set boundaries on screen use for teens because phones, … Read more
You’re Strong for Wanting Help Let’s be honest, life gets overwhelming. We all have moments when stress, sadness, or anxiety take over and yet, many people still hesitate to seek help. At FamilyFirst Psychological Services in Vienna, VA, we want you to know: it’s not weak to reach out. Finding Counselors near me is one … Read more
Managing Overthinking, What-Ifs, and Worry Many of us struggle to manage our thinking and find ourselves overwhelmed by racing thoughts, reliving things we wish we could do over, or facing the fear of making a wrong decision. Frustration can peak as overthinking and worry can lead us nowhere nearer to a solution for our problems. … Read more
How to Haul Ourselves Out of Thinking Traps One of the major principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is that so-called cognitive distortions bring us a lot of unnecessary misery. Cognitive distortions are also known as thinking errors, thinking traps, or as therapist David Pratt has nicknamed them, “stinking thinking.” Thinking traps are misperceptions and … Read more
Let’s be real: being a teen isn’t easy. Between school pressure, social drama, and figuring out who you are, it’s a lot to handle. If your teen is feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, they’re not alone. The good news? They don’t have to figure it all out by themselves. Searching for a Teenager Therapist Near … Read more
Finding Delight in your Children Building a secure attachment with our children is critically important for their development. Spending quality time with our children, being a consistent safe space, and reliably showing up to meet their needs help build secure attachments. Another aspect of parenting that helps build secure attachments involves delighting in our kids. … Read more
Finding the right therapist is a personal journey, and at FamilyFirst Psychological Services, we’re here to help. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or life transitions, our licensed professionals provide personalized, evidence-based care. This guide walks you through key steps to finding the right therapist, from identifying your needs to scheduling your first session. If you’re searching for a therapist near me in Vienna, VA, contact us today to start your journey to better mental health.
