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Strengthen The Youth Through Music And Arts

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Adolescence is the second infanthood. During these years, people are like a sponge absorbing everything they observe and experience, and as parents, we must make sure our children only learn the positive things around them. With all negativity seen and felt around including school and social media, we need to pay close attention to all their activities, making sure they are healthy ones.

The minds of adolescents are fragile during these years. They are trying to figure out their interests, skills, and identity. Music and arts are among the few healthy hobbies that our children can do. “There is a growing body of research that supports how music nurtures children’s success at school and in life. A study in the journal Social Science Quarterly, Adolescents Involved with Music Do Better in School, found that music also had positive effects on reading and math,” wrote Marilyn Price-Mitchell, PhD.

Encourage them to engage in school activities involving music and arts.

School Activities They Can Join:

Music

• Choir

Schools have a choir that sings during special occasions and gatherings. It is composed of students who are skilled in singing. They get to compete with other schools and showcase their talent.

• Music Club

Clubs are available for students who are interested in developing new interests or skills. They don’t have to be excellent. It is a club for all the students who have the same interest, and it’s a perfect tool to develop their social skills at the same time.

• Musical Instrument Classes

Whether your child is excellent or just wants to learn to play music using guitar, drums, violin, etc., support him by providing him with an instrument of his choice. Encourage him to join a musical instrument class so that he can develop his skills.

Masha Godkin, PsyD, LMFT, said, “Music activates both the left and right brain at the same time, and the activation of both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory.”

• School DJ

If your child just likes music but doesn’t show any interest in singing or playing an instrument, he can audition for the school DJ where he’d be able to play the music of famous singers and musicians for his schoolmates.

Arts

• Drawing

Some children are skilled that they never stopped learning to create beautiful drawing ever since they held a pencil when they were three. If your child has a talent for making masterpieces using pen, ink, charcoal, crayons, and colored pencils, encourage him to join clubs that showcase and develop his talent.

• Painting

Painting is an art of expressing one’s interpretation of his feelings or the situation of the world in general. It uses different colors of paints and paintbrushes. Encourage your child to join a club that teaches different techniques in creating masterpieces.

• Handicrafts

Handicrafts is an art of making useful things through the use of ideas and creativity. Fans, hats, accessories, slippers, shirts, and bags are a few examples of stuff that can be handmade. It takes a keen eye to create something magnificent. It is a perfect art for children aspiring to be fashion or interior designers.

• School Paper

The school paper is an excellent tool for students who are skilled in writing or journaling.  The art of creative and effective communication is rare, and if you see your child possessing this skill, encourage him to join the school paper. It could be a stepping stone towards his success in media and communications.

• School Decorations

School events and gatherings are not complete without the decorations. A team of creative students brainstorms to come up with an impressive theme that will direct the flow of the event. The level of thinking and decision making of the students are tested to make the school decorations powerful enough to make a statement to their fellow students.

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The talents and skills of the youth should be developed and nourished at a young age. Being able to master their craft is a healthy way to express themselves and build self-esteem. “Art enhances self-knowledge and self-expression. When we’re creating art, we are making decisions about what we like,” wrote Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW. “Not only are we tuning in to ourselves when we create art, but we also are expressing ourselves by making an external representation of our internal world.”

At this stage of their lives, they often have problems with their identity, and music and arts are instruments in helping the youth avoid or overcome adolescent behavioral issues such as alcohol and substance abuse, bullying, school dropout, teenage pregnancy, truancy, and violence.

Raising My Daughter And Her Daughter

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It’s hard raising a child, let alone having no one but yourself. I am a single parent of my beautiful 16-year-old Andy. Her dad left us right before she was born, so it’s only the two of us ever since. I had her when I was 16, and now, she is going to be a mom herself. Andy is seven months pregnant, and the doctor said it’s a girl. I know we should be celebrating life, but there’s a part of me that breaks every time I think about what she will go through.

Finish reading “Raising My Daughter And Her Daughter”

Understanding Teen Violence

The violence we are experiencing in the world right now came from our once fragile teens, and the number of juvenile crimes is rising. Most of these crimes are ranging from homicide, robbery, rape, fighting, and shooting. But why is this prevalent? How can a child as young as ten years old do something horrible!

Finish reading “Understanding Teen Violence”

Preventing School Drop-Outs: Parents and School Initiatives

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Education is a fundamental right of every person that provides capital towards success. For some, it has become a bleak undertaking. Despite the importance of education towards having a better life, there are still people who chose to let go of school and settled for whatever life may bring them.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

School dropout is merely a statistical term that represents the decline of students getting the benefits of the educational system. But what lies behind school dropouts are the risk factors that cause its occurrence. Several researchers have presented the elements that relate to the phenomena. In 2007, a study revealed that students who are dropping out of school mostly come from low socio-economic class, showing poor school performance, disinterest in school activities, and less presence in school premises. But more than the identification of the risk factors is the prevention that may alleviate the increasing incidence of school dropout.

Confronting the high school dropout problem requires commitment from the parents and the school administration. This problem should not be handled and solved by one group only. In fact, this needs joint effort and collaboration of all the persons and organizations that are responsible for the success and well-being of the student. As such, some evidenced-based initiatives are encouraged to be practiced by other schools to ensure that their students are not falling out of the system. Some of these initiatives include:

Source: sciencecommons.org

• A quality early childhood education
• Giving attention to the social and emotional learning of the child
• Monitoring of student’s attendance and school performance in academics
• Following up with students who are lagging and providing intensive coaching
• Adopting a positive school climate, and
• Hands-on relationship with parents, families, and communities.

It All Begins In The Home

Society dictates that home is the first school for children, and parents are their primary teachers. This has not changed since the concept of family as a unit has emanated even from the dawn of man.

Everything starts at home; the extent of encouragement for learning that the parents can give their children is the most accurate predictor of a student’s achievement in school. When there is constant quality communication within the family, a reasonable expectation for their child’s education and future career has been grounded. Parents become involved in their child’s education, and success is more likely to happen. Hence, family involvement plays a vital role in a successful school completion of every student. Parents should take the extra mile to impose early childhood education to their child as this may start to develop the interest of their child in the idea of going to school. The parents are the primary key players in preparing the child to embrace the importance of education.

“Help your children find relevance for school learning by providing context and connecting it to personal meaning. Help them discover how what they are learning at school is relevant to their lives and their worlds,” writes Judy Willis M.D.

The school as such, plays a significant responsibility in this undertaking, once a child starts schooling as most of his time is entirely spent in school. This is how much of a challenge for a school to be in charge of the future of every student. And this task is to help every student earn a degree and use it towards their journey for a better life.

“Unfortunately, our educational culture assumes that we don’t teach enough curriculum and don’t demand enough of children. Children learn to pass tests, not love learning,” writes William R. Klemm Ph.D.

But with the increasing occurrence of dropouts, an extra challenge has been laid on the educational system. The school’s initiative through its teachers will help solve this pressing problem. Robertson, Smith, & Rinka (2016) mentioned ways on how the school can take action in decreasing dropout rate:

• Telling the story. There is no better way of making students realize the value of education than presenting the real-life scenarios of those students who opted to forgo for their studies.
• Give students a place to be. This only means providing an environment conducive to learning, free from bullying and rejections, by doing this, every student will find their reason to stay.
• Provide career and technical education as well as using technology to engage students. These provide excitement in learning and will increase the interest of students to finish their studies as they will soon develop a career path and know where they are going to.
• Providing multiple career pathways and starting a mentoring program will help students to explore their capabilities and abilities because every student has their way of learning.

Preventing dropouts requires a proactive involvement between parents and the school and most importantly the students. Giving the students every reason why education is essential will make them realize the value of it.

“[M]ost teens not only shouldn’t drop out of high school but should continue in a structured program, whether college, the military, or an apprenticeship,” writes Marty Nemko Ph.D.

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Reference:

Amos, Christopher Nicholas, “The Relationship Between School Leadership and Graduation Coach Interventions in Rural and Urban Settings” (2012). Dissertations. 484. http://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/484

Robertson, J. S., Smith, R. W., & Rinka, J. (2016). How Did Successful High Schools Improve Their Graduation Rates?. Journal of At-Risk Issues, 19(1), 10-18.

Reasons To Get Online Therapy

Let’s talk about online therapy. What are the online therapy options that are available for you? Are there signs or mental health diagnoses that will indicate whether or not teletherapy or online therapy is something you need to avail of? Check the list below for the things to look out for about affordable online therapy options and the best virtual therapy programs for various mental health conditions and mental health concerns.

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Online Therapy: Getting Treatment Online

Online Platforms

Choosing the best virtual therapy options, also known as talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is a great way to get mental health resources and mental health support from the comfort of your own home. Therapy sessions conducted by therapists online or on a virtual platform are covered by insurance companies and medical doctors.

You can find licensed therapists who specialize in eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse, mental health counselors who can help with couples therapy, and licensed therapists who focus on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy.

Many couples facing challenges in their marriage and family dynamics often turn to couples therapy for guidance. Social workers, trained to address such interpersonal issues, frequently conduct these sessions either face to face or through the best online therapy platforms.

It’s reassuring to know that most health insurance plans nowadays cover these therapeutic sessions, making them accessible for those in need of professional assistance.

The therapeutic relationship is key to success in many online therapy services or platforms. You want to find the best therapist and be matched with a therapist that you can trust, and who makes you feel safe and respected.

It’s important to be able to switch and find a new licensed therapist if you’re not comfortable with the one you’re matched with.

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Online Therapy

Therapy For Depression

Feeling sadness and exhaustion are only normal, especially if you encounter too much stress at work or in your personal life.

However, if you experience these negative emotions regularly, then maybe it is about time to look for a professional virtual therapist or licensed therapist who could help you deal with your mental health emergency and crisis.

“Depression is an abnormal emotional state, a mental illness that affects our thinking, emotions, perceptions, and behaviors in pervasive and chronic ways.

With the help of an online therapist, you can embark on a journey toward healing and better mental well-being.

When we’re depressed we feel sad about everything,” writes Guy Winch Ph.D. Take note that the only way to start feeling better is to seek help and assistance from mental health services experts.

Try Online Therapy

Not knowing what to do with your life is not necessarily depression. There are just times when you will get stuck with nowhere else to go.

“The imposter syndrome is the inability to accept and claim accomplishments no matter what level of success, even with hard-won achievements because there is an irrational fear that you don’t deserve the success or maybe you are just a fraud,” writes Karyl McBride Ph.D.

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Online Therapy Sessions For Relaxation And Healing

When this happens, the best option that you need to do is to take a break from the things that are keeping you busy.

Learn to give yourself the chance to relax. If all these will not work, then getting a virtual therapist may be the perfect solution.

A professional therapy program specialist can help you process all the doubts and fears you have in your mind without needing mental health medication in-person therapy or in-office therapy from a mental health care facility.

You Had A Traumatic Experience

“Trauma isn’t neat and tidy—it doesn’t arrive neatly packaged and tied up with a bow. Instead, it’s bewildering and chaotic.

We may want to talk about it, but we don’t know what to say or how to say it,” writes Ellen Hendriksen, Ph.D. Did you encounter a heart-breaking moment recently? Are you having difficulty moving on? Always remember that having a traumatic experience is extra challenging.

There is a necessity for someone to look after your condition. You do not need to deal with this mental health problem on your own.

Learn how to seek the advice of a therapy service specialist. Fortunately, you now have the option to go for the best virtual therapy websites and services for your online therapy.

You Are Hurting Other People Around You

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In Seeking Platforms for The Sessions

The saddest part about experiencing depression and anxiety, extreme sadness, trauma, and other mental health illnesses is that you tend to hurt others without knowing that you already did it.

Look at the individuals around you and examine how you are treating them. From the moment you realize that you have caused some pain, do not hesitate to seek a therapeutic session and medication management through the  best online therapy sites or the best therapy platforms.

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Talk to a professional or therapy-licensed provider who is willing to listen to all your concerns. Allow mental health professionals or virtual therapists to provide you with some guidance on how to avoid becoming emotionally vulnerable through their online therapy programs.

Online therapy experience and virtual mental health services can provide some benefits over in-person therapy, such as increased flexibility and convenience. You can often find a licensed therapist, licensed clinical social worker, family therapist, or medical professional who specializes in treating your specific mental health condition and mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder, which can be helpful.

Many insurance coverage and medical care services include the best virtual therapy and in-person therapy, also known as face-to-face therapy, so it may be more affordable than in-person therapy. Online therapy allows you to have sessions with family therapists who specialize in couples counseling and have completed rigorous training.

Taking Notes During The Therapy Sessions Online

When it comes to dealing with virtual counseling or virtual cognitive behavioral therapy, always remember that the number of sessions needed with a licensed mental health professional or online therapy provider depends on the seriousness of the issues. There is no hard and fast rule on how to go about it, especially if you don’t want to prescribe medication and you are having a hard time with medication management.

The benefits of online therapy are many. With online therapy (virtual therapy), you can find the right therapist with a master’s degree and switch counselors if you need to. These are covered by your insurance providers. So make sure your treatment accepts insurance.

Existential therapy can be done virtually, as well as traditional counseling. You can get immediate help from licensed professionals, and most therapists offer an initial consultation for free. Check a therapist’s availability and schedule a consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1.  How effective and powerful are online therapies?
2.  Which type of online therapy is most suitable for me?
3.  Can online therapies manage anxiety?
4.  Who is not a candidate for online therapy?
5.  Are online therapies as effective as traditional therapy?
6.  When are online therapies not recommended?
7.  Why is therapy online not effective?
8.  What percentage of people use online therapy or virtual counseling?
9.  Does health insurance cover online therapy costs?
10. How long do the sessions take?

11.  Why Do People Prefer Online Therapy?

12.  Are Online Therapists Safe?

13.  Are Virtual Therapies Or Online Counseling Platforms Better Than Face-To-Face?

14.  Are free virtual therapies legit?
15.  Can virtual therapists diagnose you?

Fundamental Rules In Handling Bad-Mannered Teens

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Witnessing and hearing news about teens berating and bullying helpless people without any sign of guilt or remorse is disheartening. This goes to show that this pervasive and atrocious behavior, which creates disrespectful and rude teens, has indulged its way into this generation and is somehow getting worse.

With the increasing number of kids who parade ill behavior, how can you, as parents, save them from becoming another person’s antagonist?

Finish reading “Fundamental Rules In Handling Bad-Mannered Teens”