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Therapy Tools and Coping Skills, Neurodivergent Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Therapy Tools and Coping Skills, Neurodivergent Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

Therapeutic Skills for Neurodivergent Teens & Young Adults: Interoception Skills

Many neurodivergent adolescents, teens, and young adults, including those with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences, struggle with body cues that can be crucial to interpreting emotional or physical needs and navigating an ableist world. These inner sensations, like knowing when to use the bathroom or when to eat when hungry, are called interoception skills. 

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Young Adults, Mental Health, Teens Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Young Adults, Mental Health, Teens Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

Colorado Teens’ Right to Privacy in Mental Health Settings

Understanding your rights to access mental health care and your privacy surrounding it are crucial to getting the help you need and to feeling comfortable and confident in your therapy journey. Let’s dive into the details of your rights as a Colorado teen in mental health care settings.

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Neurodivergent, Parenting Teens Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Neurodivergent, Parenting Teens Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

Low Demand Parenting: Stop Worrying & Start Letting Your Teen Be a Person

When we demand something of our children, regardless of their age, we externalize our expectations. We want our kids to get good grades, participate in extracurriculars, and have a good group of friends. We want them to be healthy and happy and we have perceived expectations about how they should go about to achieve those things.

Herein lies the problem. Developmentally, teenagers have lower tolerance for managing frustration and other big emotions. Learn more about how Low Demand Parenting might be your answer to less stress for you and your teen.

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Neurodivergent, Resources, Parenting Teens, Education/Careers Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Neurodivergent, Resources, Parenting Teens, Education/Careers Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

Educational Diversity: Finding the Best Fit Among Traditional, Alternative, Online, and GED Schools for My Teen in Colorado

If you’re a teen, you’re probably here because something about school isn’t working and you’re ready for a change. If you’re a parent, you’re here because you want the best for your child. Either way, welcome. I’m glad you’re here!

In this article, we'll investigate the different types of school options in Colorado and the pros and cons of each.

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Neurodivergent, Resources Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Neurodivergent, Resources Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

Understanding the Neurodiversity Wheel

"I'm on the spectrum."

"My brother is autistic."

"She's on the autism spectrum."

Chances are you’ve encountered this kind of language at some point. Maybe you use this language, or your friends do, maybe you’ve seen it on social media, or maybe you’re new to it entirely. Maybe you have questions about what the spectrum is, or maybe you’re eager to dive a little deeper. Whatever the case, I'm glad you're here to learn more! Without further ado, let's dive into what exactly neurodiversity means and explore one of my favorite resources, the Neurodiversity Wheel.

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Neurodivergent, Disability Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Neurodivergent, Disability Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

Skill Regression: The What, Who & Whys

Maybe this feels familiar. You're a teenager or young adult who used to be a straight-A student or–who somehow balanced extracurriculars, a social life, hobbies, and work. But for some reason, you're suddenly at a loss and don't seem to have the motivation to try any longer. Maybe you just find that what once came easily to you is now difficult and frankly, it now makes you feel burnt out.

Even if these specific circumstances don't mirror your own, there's a common thread here: skill regression.

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Anxiety, Parenting Teens, Therapy Tools and Coping Skills Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Anxiety, Parenting Teens, Therapy Tools and Coping Skills Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

Why Coping Skills for Your Teen Isn’t the Answer: A Parent’s Guide

Suffice it to say, the teenage years are rough. Parents fear their teens are depressed, anxious, and stressed out, but struggle with how to support them in a healthy, sustainable way.

One of the things we hear parents ask is how to provide or teach their teens coping skills. "What tools can teach my kid so they can better manage their stress and emotions?" they ask. And while we're pleased to hear that parents are trying, we also internally groan.

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Self-Harm, Anxiety, Depression, Therapy Tools and Coping Skills Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Self-Harm, Anxiety, Depression, Therapy Tools and Coping Skills Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

Understanding Self-Harm: A Guide for Teens & Young Adults

Life isn't easy. And that's an understatement. Sometimes these strong feelings and thoughts overwhelm us and we react in ways that physically hurt us. In other words, we self-harm. If you're struggling with stopping the harmful cycle of overwhelming feelings that lead to destructive habits, read on.

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Young Adults, Parenting Teens, Anxiety, Family Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Young Adults, Parenting Teens, Anxiety, Family Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

I Just Need a Little Space: Creating Boundaries During the Holidays for Teens & Young Adults

It's that time of year again. Whether it makes you feel excited or anxious, hopeful or hollow (or any feeling in between,) the holiday season is upon us. For many of us, all of this can be overwhelming. Creating strong boundaries can help us navigate this often stressful time and help us regain that holiday joy!

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Mental Health, Community Connections, Therapist Referrals Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Mental Health, Community Connections, Therapist Referrals Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

Community Connections: Jack Dickey of Fox Mind Counseling, LLC

Community Connections is a spotlight blog series where we uplight other wonderful organizations and clinicians who align with our values here at Interfaith Bridge Counseling. This month’s feature is Jack Dickey of Fox Mind Counseling, PLLC. We hope you enjoy getting to know Jack and all the amazing opportunities he offers to our fellow mental health community through our video interview below:

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Young Adults, Parenting Teens, Perfectionsim, Anxiety, Depression Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Young Adults, Parenting Teens, Perfectionsim, Anxiety, Depression Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

Perfectionism, Productivity, and Mental Health: Society's “Need to Succeed” Effect on Teenagers and Young Adults

Let's face it. We've grown up in a fast-paced and competitive world, where the pressure to excel and succeed has taken center stage in our lives as teenagers and young adults. The ideals of perfectionism and relentless productivity are so deeply ingrained in societal norms that it fosters an environment where the pursuit of success often overshadows any consideration for our mental well-being.

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Young Adults, Parenting Teens, Group Therapy Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Young Adults, Parenting Teens, Group Therapy Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

The Power of Community: 10 Benefits of Teen Group Therapy

As a teen, you're surrounded by messages of what you should be. To say it's overwhelming is an understatement.

So while we all might want to wave a magic wand and "fix" everything, make the homework do itself, the drama disappear, and the painful feelings go away, we're stuck in this thing called reality. Thankfully, though, there's a space for us, a space for us to be brave, share our feelings and everyday stressors, learn coping skills that actually help, and maybe even meet new friends.

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Young Adults, Parenting Teens Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Young Adults, Parenting Teens Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

Teenage Boredom: Anger’s Mask

It's the middle of summer, school's out, and guess what? You're bored. You might have a summer job, be taking a summer class, and even get to regularly hang out with friends, but you still find yourself listless, "stuck," or just plain apathetic.

In this month's blog post, let's dive into what feeling boredom as a young person may really mean and what hides behind it.

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Sexcess Story: Ehlers Danlos SyndromE & Our Disability’s Impact On Society

A few months ago, I had the exciting opportunity to go on Heather DeKeyser’s podcast Sexcess Story. We discussed a wide variety of issues, but especially how disability can affect peoples’ sexuality or sexual expression. Below is the transcript of the podcast linked above.

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Mental Health, Young Adults, Graduation, Career Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723 Mental Health, Young Adults, Graduation, Career Lena McCain MA, LPC 0017723

The Gifts of Letting Go of Dreams & Productivity

"Work hard, play hard." "Shoot for the stars." "Never stop chasing your dreams." "If you can dream it, you can do it!"

These are sayings and quotes we might have heard or seen throughout our lives.

In school, we're faced with the pressure to academically succeed, participate in extracurricular activities, and live a rich social life (this, of course, all while holding unique and inspiring aspirations for ourselves.)

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