It is probably more important than ever, in this digital age, to develop social competency in children. While technology offers us unprecedented connectivity with one another, developing the essential skills of face-to-face interactions can be negatively impacted by our overreliance on digital interactions. Furthermore, many children, whether they face developmental challenges or not, may struggle to intuitively grasp the intricacies and nuances of effective communication, social graces, and emotional regulation in various social scenarios. Direct teaching of these skills can neutralize the impact of technology and innate challenges. It can equip children with tools to navigate their social worlds more effectively. Children can learn to recognize social cues that will help them understand the impact of their behavior on others and be taught to think more flexibly and engage in active listening and problem-solving which will serve them well as they face increasingly complex social interactions. While many children benefit from learning these skills in one-to-one settings, there are several advantages to group-based skills training. Group settings mimic real-world scenarios and dynamics. Utilizing cooperative activities, role-play, games, and conversation, children are placed in similar situations that they would be in their lives. They learn to negotiate interpersonal dynamics, tolerate other’s opinions, and give and receive feedback respectfully. As this is a highly facilitated experience, they can receive coaching in real-time from the group facilitator to support their success in the group and hopefully generalize that success outside of the group. Successful group interactions can provide children with the confidence that they need to be successful outside of the group, which is of course the goal. And probably most importantly, it is just more fun! While those of us who did not grow up in the digital age may lament the loss of certain aspects of interpersonal relatedness, group social skills training may help bridge those gaps and set our children up for social success no matter what technological evolutions lie ahead.

Adolescence is a remarkable yet tumultuous time of life, marked by significant growth, exploration, and self-discovery. As we step into the new year, it's an opportune moment to reflect on the transformative journey our adolescents embark upon. This period is one where young minds grapple with profound questions of "who am I?" and "who do I want to be?" While some level of identity confusion is considered normal and expected, persistent challenges in identity development can lead to concerns in mood and anxiety.. Central to these struggles is the concept of self-esteem, which plays a pivotal role in an adolescent's well-being. The parent-child relationship is known to play an essential role in adolescents' development and self-esteem. As we embrace the start of the new year, it is important to consider how we can support our children in fostering a healthy sense of self and in promoting self-esteem. Adopting a growth mindset in the household can be one way to encourage healthy identity formation and increase self-esteem in your adolescent. So, what is a growth mindset and what does it mean to have a growth mindset in your household? A growth mindset is a belief in one's ability to change and improve at any time. It acknowledges that mistakes are a part of the learning process and that they offer opportunities for growth. As we embark on this new year, let us try to cultivate a growth mindset in our household. 1. Remember, it can start with you, the parent(s): Start by paying attention to the way you speak to yourself and to your child. Your approach to mistakes, trying new things, accepting constructive criticism, overcoming obstacles, and self-perception should all reflect a growth-oriented perspective. 2. Provide specific praise for efforts over general praise or praising innate qualities: Instead of offering general praise or focusing on innate qualities, provide specific praise for their efforts. Acknowledge their hard work and determination. For example, you can say, "I like the way you helped your friend with 'X'" or "I appreciate how you listened during 'Y.'" 3. Give specific feedback on how something can be improved: In addition to praise, provide specific feedback on their progress and suggest how they can improve. "You almost have it figured out. Let's try another strategy." When your child says, "I can't do it," reframe it positively with, "You can't do it yet. You just need practice." 4. Identify challenges and help guide towards self-sufficiency: When your child encounters challenges, engage them in identifying their mistakes and finding solutions. For instance, you can say, "I see you're struggling with 'X.' What do you think we can try or do differently?" This empowers them to take responsibility for their growth and learning. Adolescence is a transformative period filled with questions and challenges. As a parent or guardian, you play a significant role in helping your child navigate these formative years and fostering a healthy self-esteem and a growth mindset. By adopting these techniques and embracing a growth-oriented perspective, you can empower your adolescent to embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth and develop a strong sense of self. Ultimately, this will set the stage for a more resilient and confident future. Here's to a year of positive transformation and new beginnings! About Christina Gallin Christina Gallin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey, specializing in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. With a focus on adolescents with significant trauma histories, she facilitates groups on DBT strategies, mindfulness, and self-esteem enhancement. Christina also co-facilitates groups on grief and loss, implementing programs that promote a growth mindset. Collaborating closely with school counselors and staff, she addresses issues related to bullying, emotional dysregulation, and various mental health challenges. Christina has developed the skills to help individuals who are struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, PTSD, personality disorders as well as concerns about body image. About Life InSight Center At Life InSight, we offer comprehensive evaluations & individualized therapy focused on supporting families to achieve the right balance for their emotional, academic, and social success. If you or your child is struggling emotionally, socially, or academically, Life InSight will help diagnose the problem and find a comprehensive solution. We offer a complete range of Diagnostic Evaluations; Individual, Group, and Family Therapy; as well as School Consultation, IEP Planning, and Program Review. Our mission is to restore & rebuild lives by empowering our families to grow and develop.

We’ve all heard the age-old adage – “the key to a healthy relationship is communication.” While this advice is sound, it’s also quite vague. In this post, we'll explore four common patterns identified by the Gottman Institute that can disrupt healthy communication, whether between parent and child or between any two people. While identifying these patterns, we'll present practical remedies to transform these missteps into opportunities for growth and understanding. Criticism: Recognizing the Blame Game Criticism refers to the act of expressing judgment about someone, often pointing out perceived faults, shortcomings, or mistakes. It entails making personal, verbal attacks and is more than just voicing a complaint about a specific issue. This pattern can be detrimental especially in parent-child dynamics. The solution lies in expressing concerns without blame. Utilize "I statements" to convey your needs, fostering an environment where communication focuses on feelings and needs rather than accusations. For example, rather than stating, "You did badly on your math test. You never try hard enough," you can try saying "I am worried your recent math grade and would like to talk about it with you." Contempt: Shifting to Positivity Contempt means treating others with disrespect, mocking or ridiculing them with sarcasm, name calling, and using body language such as eye rolling or scoffing. In short, being mean. Contempt is even worse than criticism as it conveys a position of moral superiority over the person you are talking to. The healthier approach is creating a culture of appreciation and admiration. If you regularly express affection and gratitude, it will shift your relationship to be more positive. Instead of saying something like, "Ugh, what is wrong with you? When I was your age, I always got up on time," you can replace it with, "I know it has been difficult getting to sleep on time recently. Maybe you could try setting more alarms? I would appreciate that." Defensiveness: Embracing Responsibility Defensiveness is typically a response to criticism and is incredibly common in all relationships. When we feel accused, we might try to play the victim or use excuses to get out of the conversation. The problem is, by doing so we communicate we don’t take the complaint being presented seriously. The remedy is accepting responsibility. By owning our part in a conflict or issue, we not only validate the concern, but also express we are willing to share the load in figuring it out. Rather than saying, "I’m too busy to wash the dishes right now. You know I have that huge project due tomorrow!" you can share, "I forgot to do them. I should have let you know I would be busy with my project today and wouldn’t get to them until later." Stonewalling: Taking a Break for Clearer Conversations Stonewalling is when someone completely withdraws from a conversation by no longer responding. It typically happens when we feel flooded and overwhelmed with emotion. The solution is to take a break to allow emotions to cool down, engaging in relaxing activities before resuming the conversation with a clearer perspective. For example, instead of remaining silent in response to your partner sharing, you can try saying, "Sorry to interrupt, I’m actually feeling pretty overwhelmed right now. Can we take a break and continue this in 30 minutes?" Awareness of these flawed communication styles is the first step toward fostering healthier interactions. By implementing these new approaches to your communication, we can transform moments of tension into opportunities for understanding and connection, ultimately enhancing the overall satisfaction of your relationships! About Dr. Yuval Freund Dr. Yuval Freund is a full-time clinician at Life Insight, where he works with children, adolescents, and adults with mood and anxiety disorders as well as a variety of other difficulties. Moreover, having worked in the counseling centers of both Catholic University and Brigham Young University, he has extensive training in working with matters regarding spirituality and religious identity. He has experience in helping patients navigate their transition from adolescence to young adulthood by supplying them with a therapeutic environment for growth, understanding, and change. Dr. Freund believes in empowering patients by supplying a supportive environment to build connections, gain insight, and challenge oneself when necessary. Dr. Freund is also passionate about working with members of the LGBTQ+ community as they navigate their sense of self, identity, and relationship with others. About Life InSight Center At Life InSight, we offer comprehensive evaluations & individualized therapy focused on supporting families to achieve the right balance for their emotional, academic, and social success. If you or your child is struggling emotionally, socially, or academically, Life InSight will help diagnose the problem and find a comprehensive solution. We offer a complete range of Diagnostic Evaluations; Individual, Group, and Family Therapy; as well as School Consultation, IEP Planning, and Program Review. Our mission is to restore & rebuild lives by empowering our families to grow and develop.

As parents, one of our greatest concerns is ensuring our children thrive in every aspect of their lives, especially when it comes to their education. However, navigating the complexities of learning difficulties or behavioral challenges can be overwhelming and stressful. If you've found yourself wondering whether your child needs an evaluation, you're not alone. Understanding when to seek testing for your child can be pivotal in addressing their needs and ensuring their academic, social, and emotional success.  Most often, the referrals are typically prompted by some difficulty in school – whether learning, behavioral, social, or a combination of these. Very often, a recommendation is prompted by a teacher, who expresses concern in one of these areas. In other situations, parents may maintain long standing suspicions or a nagging feeling that a child is failing to achieve his or her potential. Factors such as severity, duration, and impact on functioning guide the decision for testing, aiming to address challenges early on.

The teenage and young adult years are marked by a great deal of development, change, and growth. Middle school, high school and college experiences are all considered complex processes in which teens and young adults are faced with the challenge of navigating their academic and social environments. Social competency is not only essential for forming meaningful relationships, but also plays a vital role in academic success and overall wellbeing. In today’s rapidly evolving world, where social interactions are increasingly mediated through screens, face-to-face communication and interpersonal skills can sometimes take a backseat. Strong social skills allow us to effectively communicate, collaborate, and build meaningful relationships with others.  While some may develop social skills naturally, others require direct instruction in order to adopt these skills. At Life Insight, we are offering a wonderful opportunity to help individuals alongside their social coach work toward building social competency. PEERS® is a 15-week evidence-based, internationally acclaimed social skills intervention for those who are motivated and interested in learning new ways of making and keeping friends. During this program, participants are taught important social skills and are given the opportunity to practice these skills in session during socialization activities. Care givers/social coaches attend separate sessions at the same time and are taught how to assist with social networking and provide feedback through coaching during weekly socialization homework assignments. PEERS® may be appropriate for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression or other social and behavioral disorders. Parent participation is required. Participants will learn how to: • Use appropriate conversational skills • Use humor appropriately • Use electronic communication • Enter & exit conversations • Be a good host during get-togethers • Be a good sport • Handle arguments and disagreements • Change a bad reputation • Handle rumors and gossip • Handle rejection, teasing and bullying • Dating skills (for young adults)