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Mindfulness-based practices are known to increase of brain gray matter in the right anterior insula. This part of the brain contains the amygdala, which plays a primary role in emotional responses and emotional regulation. Anxiety in adolescents has been identified as a risk factor for the onset of panic attacks, panic disorders, and anxiety disorders. Adolescents who experience anxiety symptoms are prone to develop anxiety pathology and feelings of unsteadiness. Adolescence represents an important part of development, and normal stressors in this stage, can affect an adolescent’s psychopathology. Evidenced based treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and emotional regulation through mindfulness, are particularly effective in managing anxiety symptoms in adolescents.

Early anxiety symptoms found in adolescents have been found to lead to major depression and anxiety disorders, later in life. Anxiety symptoms interfere significantly with the daily life in adolescents. The stressful transition from childhood to adolescence reflects high levels of anxiety, often resulting in more risk taking behaviors. Adolescents that develop Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are at a much higher risk of distress and impairment throughout their life.

In an adolescent with GAD, the prefrontal and limbic systems are activated, but the amygdala does not excite the ventrolateral cortex, or the part of the brain associated with “mentalization”- the ability to understand the mental state of oneself and others. When this happens, the structures that regulate emotional and affective functions are abnormally connected, causing a major disruption in one’s capacity to interpret self and others’ behaviors.

Anxiety disorders left untreated in adolescents can lead to increased mental health problems and poor social and developmental outcomes. Mindfulness based approaches such as self observation, self-talk, and self evaluation have been proven to decrease anxiety symptoms, thus teaching adolescents important skills for managing anxiety symptoms.

Written By Atiya Malik from WVCC

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

The stage of adolescent identity formation is a time of confusion, exploration, experimentation and even rebellion. Erik Erikson takes all of these issues into consideration and as such his approach to identity has become a significant tool when trying to understand the development of personality during adolescence.  Erikson (1968) described adolescence in the following terms:

Given Erikson’s theory, the stage of adolescence, identity formation vs. role confusion, is fraught with self-doubt, insight and judgment.  The additional factor of immigration can play a significant role in the identity formation of an adolescent.  Immigration coupled with this developmental stage has proven to be a challenge for this population to navigate.
Clinicians need to understand the acculturation process of this population and to recognize the stressors that can become problematic as they maneuver their way through dual cultures.  The goal is to inform clinicians about the challenges the adolescent Hispanic immigrant population face as they acculturate.  In addition, we must consider the various treatment approaches/options that are available in order to help this population navigate the challenges of adolescence and acculturation.  Addressing the needs of this population will help to normalize the process and to provide coping mechanisms to enable a smoother transition.

Written By Judy Grant from WVCC

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues for which people seek therapy. Prevalence rates for depression show that the highest percentage of U.S. adults having experienced a major depressive episode occurs during the developmental stage of emerging adulthood.  Research has described this very distinctive period to be a time of significant exploration with respect to identity, career, love and world view.

It is also a time of major transition between adolescent and adult roles, and of making major life decisions which can offer great challenge and stress.  Some move through this transition smoothly and others struggle, leading to depressive symptomology.  Is there a connection between attachment styles, early attachment disruptions, and psychological well-being later in life?  A review of the literature seems to indicate that there is.  Aaron Beck’s theory of depression views depression as more the result of how an individual sees himself, his life, and his future as opposed to it simply being a mood disorder.  Attachment styles are highly indicative of how an individual perceives himself and others, as well as the world around him.  Secure attachment styles embody self-esteem and resilience, and have been linked with overall psychological well-being whereas insecure attachment styles, which connote low levels of self-worth and interpersonal dysfunction, have been linked to psychopathology later in life.  Insecure attachment styles appear to be the result of early childhood adverse experiences which disrupt the attachment process and prevent the development of a secure attachment to the primary caregiver.  It is this insecure attachment which has been positively linked to depressive symptoms and psychopathology later in life.

Written By Julie Krimstein from WVCC

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

Mindfulness based approaches are ideal for adolescents, as their brains are still in the developmental stage. Mindfulness based practices target the limbic circuitry of the brain, hence reducing emotional reactivity and stress, with improvements in school performance There are sufficient studies to show that mindfulness-based techniques lead to positive changes, and justify the optimism that these techniques are beneficial to a practitioner’s therapeutic repertoire.

When treating families and children, therapists can model mindful parenting to guide change. Mindful parenting that focuses on the benefits of mindfulness based interventions, can enhance parent-child relationships.

Parents who acquire mindfulness skills have an increased capacity to listen with full attention (increased sensitivity to a child’s cues) will adopt a more non judgmental acceptance of self and child. Then, parents have a greater emotional awareness of a child’s emotional state and can respond more easily to a child’s needs, with less negative emotions. Parents also learn self regulation, maintain a focus on parental goals, and avoid short term automated reactive responses. These practices implement more displays of affection for the parent and the child, offer more compassion in the parent-child relationship, and avoid self blame in the parenting role. Integrating these findings on mindful parenting can produce the following results: reduction of parental stress, decreased parental preoccupation resulting from parent/child psychopathology, improved parental executive functioning, reduction in the impact of dysfunctional upbringing schemas and behaviors, increased self- nourishment for the parent and child, and improved marital functioning and co-parenting.

Parents create a social and emotional climate in which children learn to self-regulate, as well as provide the safety net when self regulation fails. High levels of parental emotional dysregulation can result in a high stress environment, and this impairs the parent’s capacity to be emotional available.

Written By Atiya Malik from WVCC

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

There are over 40 million immigrants currently residing in the United States.  Hispanics represent over 14 million of that total.  Approximately ¼ of adolescents in the U.S. are from immigrant families.   Between 2000 and 2012 California reported the largest immigrant growth than any other state.

Adolescents make up the fastest growing segment of the youth population in the United States.  Adolescence is a time of exploration, experimentation and rebellion.  This is the developmental stage where one is striving to form his/her identity.  Adolescent Hispanic immigrants are trying to figure out who they are, what their values are and who they want to be. The transition from adolescence to adulthood is fraught with the challenges of identity.  Hispanic adolescents have the added stress of the acculturation process.  This process comes with its own unique set of challenges.  Stressors emerge that may become even more problematic than the normative stressors of adolescence.  Anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation have been seen to impact this population, however the research has shown that these symptoms do decrease with time and that familism, ethnic identity and collective self-esteem can act as protective factors. In addition, grief work, individual treatment and family support aid in the development of a strong sense of self.

Written By Judy Grant from WVCC

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

Teens can go from being cuddly and precocious children that cannot wait for parents or guardians to come home, to cold and distant roommates that value independence above all else. The transition from child to teen can be a struggle for any family, but there are measures that can be taken to create a more copasetic family life that also grants teens the autonomy and freedom they crave.

Many parents follow their teen’s lead, and allow a gap to slowly widen until things such as self-esteem and grades plummet and behavioral problems may appear. In this case, as with many others, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.

Here are some strategies that may help in bonding with reluctant teens:

1. Find Common Ground

Try to engage teens using hobbies such as running, gardening, sports, reading, and music. Having a special activity that everyone enjoys can feel much more comfortable than family dinners or structured events. These activities also provide a creative outlet for teens to express themselves and create healthy habits that can follow them throughout the course of life.

2. Utilize Mornings

Take time to cook breakfast with or for your teens, and ask about their plans for the day. They may surprise you, and let you know about a test they are stressed out about or problems with their social circle. Starting the morning with an encouraging beat will help both parents and teens feel connected throughout the day.

3. Let Them Partake in Important Decisions

Decisions such as moving, taking family vacations, or matters that may have an impact on the family are a great chance to include teens and guide them in making mindful decisions. By giving teens a chance to weigh in on important issues, it creates a safe place for teens to apply logic and refine decision-making skills. Additionally, it empowers teens to validate their autonomy and can help ease tension in times of stress or change.

4. Do not give up!

Reaching a point where teen bonding can occur can take weeks or months of building trust. Parents and caregivers should be patient, consistent, and always available. As tempting as it may be to throw in the towel, the rewards of sealing a bond with a teen will follow them through the course of life, and can be crucial in developing behaviors, attitudes, and motivation as a functioning adult.

If the above tips do not work for specific family circumstances, consider teen therapy at West Valley Counseling Center. West Valley Counseling Center is proud to provide various counseling services, such as teen therapy, anger management, grief and loss counseling, and couples therapy, just to name a few.

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

West Valley Counseling Center Congratulates its recent graduates from Phillips Graduate Institute!

These individuals graduated with Masters in Psychology, and they will be staying on at West Valley Counseling Center as Marriage and Family Therapist Interns.

From Left to Right:

Lisa Markinson, Alex Kofsky, Julie Krimstein, Judy Grant, Nicole Gersheson.

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

Living with intention is mindfulness at its peak. How many days do individuals trudge to work, pick up the kids, watch television, and go to sleep only to repeat the process the next day? While these tasks are unavoidable, they also may create a way for individuals to emotionally ‘check out’ from dreams, goals, and personal development.

Here are some simple ways to add intention to your life and reap the benefits of introspection and personal achievement:

1. The Importance of Health & Well-Being

It is hard to focus on anything when feeling lethargic, burnt out, or unhealthy. The first step to living with intention is treating yourself and body with respect. That means eating healthy, engaging in moderate exercise, and receiving an adequate amount of sleep. Create a realistic routine, and try to stick with it. Being physically healthy is an important aspect of maintaining emotional well-being, and this is the first step.

2. Set Goals and a Plan of Action

Research supports that the best way to reach a goal is to set sub-goals and determine a plan of action for how to methodically solve each obstacle until the goal is reached. This is less about timelines and more about knowing each step. For example, running a marathon requires months of prep work. Working backwards can help figure out how much training is needed per week until the big race. By using sub-goals such as “running one mile this week, and two the next” helps individuals stay focused and excited about goals.

3. Recognize Your Control (or Lack of Control)

It is important to recognize what aspects of life are controllable and which are not. Many people get sucked into fulfilling the status quo without really doing anything to make them happy. For example, it is hard to control how a boss or manager may act, but it is in an individual’s control to have a discussion with a boss to address the feeling of lack of respect or value.

4. Celebrate Your Successes

Anything worth doing takes time. Enjoy the journey, and celebrate small victories. Little league wins, finishing a poem, or de-cluttering the home office are all tasks that should be celebrated with something that makes you feel happy, alive, and intentioned.

Living with intention provides helpful scaffolding in finding a purpose in life. Intention stems from knowing what brings joy, gratitude, and meaning to life. Another important factor to consider in living with intention is the recognition that goals, identities, and values change over time. Many individuals fixate on a point in the past or an old goal that was never achieved, and they fail to realize that life is fluid and ever changing. Dreams and aspirations may have evolved, and it is okay to change your mind, direction, and thought processes.

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

West Valley Counseling Center Sponsors Training Breakfast for SBHP, Whose Mission is to Provide Care for Service Members and Their Families

On May 27, San Fernando-based West Valley Counseling Center is teaming up with Star Behavioral Health Providers (SBHP) to sponsor SBHP’s training breakfast. The breakfast will precede three levels of training sessions that are geared toward training behavioral health providers in military culture so these professionals may be best equipped to treat the needs of service members and their families.

SBHP provides three tiers of training that focus on: 1) the introduction to military culture; 2) the education about specific challenges associated with military service; 3) the clinical skills necessary to address some behavioral issues that service members, veterans, and their families face. With this training and awareness, these licensed health clinicians more thoroughly understand evidence-based treatments for PTSD, insomnia, suicidal ideation, chronic pain, and depression.

West Valley Counseling Center (WVCC)—a non-profit in Tarzana, CA—provides therapy for individuals, couples, and families. West Valley Counseling Center believes in and supports SBHP’s mission and is excited to reach out to SBHP and get involved in helping military members and their families. Several of West Valley Counseling Center’s staff will be partaking in SBHP’s training sessions, which are centered on military sensitivity. WVCC’s therapists work with trauma survivors, whether it be inner family trauma, PTSD, or trauma recovery.

WVCC has expertise in the area of trauma recovery and works through issues to help ease emotional burdens and manage feelings of depression, stress, isolation, loneliness, and anger. WVCC’s services are provided by licensed mental health professionals who work with clients’ issues and concerns through positive support and care.

For more information, please contact WVCC at (818) 758-9450 or visit their website at www.WestValleyCounseling.org.

Domestic violence, or domestic abuse, is a sort of blanket term that has taken on a life of its own through popular culture, media, and word-of-mouth. The West Valley Counseling Center is committed to providing the community with not only the facts regarding domestic violence, but also a contextual picture of how abusive behavior can affect our lives and the lives around us.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), one out of every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Unfortunately, the true statistic is markedly higher, as many cases of domestic abuse go unreported or unrecognized by individuals who have become normalized to abusive behavior. The purpose of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to advocate continued support of domestic support survivors and to urge those in abusive relationships to seek the help and resources they need.

Domestic violence runs rampant when we remain silent. It is through communication and a strong commitment towards providing safe environments for victims that we can reduce not only the physical and psychological damage to victims, but to their friends, families, and children. Furthermore, domestic abuse that may involve one person should be handled delicately and swiftly, so that other family members are not put at increased risk. Above all, remember that compassion towards the victim is key when dealing with domestic violence. Conditional support such as: “I won’t be your friend unless you break up with that person” can often backfire, making victims feel isolated and fearful. This can even result in victims clinging to their abusers even harder, for support. If you ever feel that a friend or loved one is unsafe or in an abusive relationship, in any form, please contact the National Domestic Violence at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).

West Valley Counseling Center offers therapeutic services for survivors of domestic abuse, as well as anger management classes. For more information or to speak to one of our staff at the West Valley Counseling Center, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

West Valley Counseling Center offers therapeutic services for survivors of domestic abuse, as well as anger management classes throughout Southern California. For more information or to speak to one of our staff at the West Valley Counseling Center, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

Sources:

http://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence

http://www.thehotline.org/

http://nnedv.org/getinvolved/dvam.html

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org