Although many adults once assumed that childhood is carefree, children in fact experience a fair amount of stress. From feeling hurt about not being invited to a birthday party, to juggling numerous homework assignments, to disappointment about being cut from the school play children need to learn to deal with life's ups and downs. How can we teach our children to manage stress? Here are a few, basic tips:
Teach mindfulness. - Encourage your children to stop, at the beginning of the day, to take a moment to slow down and look at the rustling of the leaves in the wind or listen to the birds sing. Slowing down for a brief moment can help ground children before the business of the day begins/ Increase positive emotions. -Engage in positive, playful activities every day, even if only for a few minutes. We can generally spare a few minutes for a quick card game or real or imagined tea time. Ten to twenty minutes per day of one on one time helps children feel connected. Build in exercise every day. -Exercise is a great stress releaser for parents and children. Try relaxation exercises. -Try taking five to ten deep breaths in the morning, after school/work, and before homework time. The more you practice with your child when they are calm the easier it will be to use this technique successfully when your children feels stressed. -Consider using imagery. Model imagining yourself in a relaxing place. Comment on a special place that you can go to in your mind and all the sights, sounds, and smells that surround you. Encourage your child to think of their own special place. They can try picturing this place in their mind before bed which may help them sleep. When scheduling an appointment, you will be asked to provide basic information, such as your name, your child's name and date of birth, and a brief description of your concerns. Dr. Litvack will assess whether she can address your concerns or will make a referral to another professional, when possible. Fees and payment terms are provided. An appointment for an initial consult is then scheduled. This session is generally via Zoom. You will be asked to provide copies of any relevant medical, educational, psychological records (including prior assessments, all report cards since kindergarten, and Individual Education Plans). These documents can contribute to a more thorough understanding of your child.
The initial consultation lasts for 90 minutes and is intended for parents (and adolescents aged 14 and older). The child's developmental milestones and academic history are reviewed. Your concerns and your child's strengths are also discussed. Confidentiality and its limits are reviewed. If an assessment is recommended, a classroom observation is optional for children under the age of 14. Dr. Litvack. Three face-to-face sessions of approximately two hours each are required. A variety of assessment tools are used depending on your concerns. Please do your best to ensure that your child gets a good night's rest and has something to eat prior to each appointment. You are encouraged to bring along the child's glasses or hearing aids, as required. Convey to your child that the experience will be positive. Explain that Dr. Litvack and your child will be doing some activities together. Some will be easy and other will be harder. All that is expected is that the child try their best. Please bring a drink and a snack for the short break. Questionnaires will be provided to parents and teacher(s). A large part of the assessment takes place without the client present. This includes reviewing school report cards and previous assessment data, scoring and analyzing testing results, as well as writing the report. Approximately one month after all data has been gathered, Dr. Litvack provides a feedback session, also on Zoom. Dr. Litvack's findings and recommendations are reviewed and a detailed report is provided. If therapy is recommended, a tentative plan is discussed at the intial consult. Therapy sessions last 50 minutes, with the final 10 minutes allotted for writing case notes. Parents are often brought into session for the last 5 to 10 minutes to review the session and the week's assignment. Dr. Litvack generally adopts a cognitive-behavioural framework. This an approach that involves treatment of an individual's thinking, feeling, and behaviour. It is an approach to therapy that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of a number of childhood difficulties. Payment terms will be discussed during the initial consult. E-transfer is accepted for payment. |
AuthorMarla Litvack, PhD Archives
November 2015
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