Mental Health Blog

Picture this: your child watches other kids play from the sidelines. They inch closer… then pull back. They want to join, they really do — but something stops them. The words don’t come out right, the timing feels off, or the group seems too fast, too loud, too...

Imagine this: a new art class, a birthday party, or the first day of soccer practice. Other children run ahead excitedly — but your child freezes at the door, buries their face in your side, or whispers, “I don’t want to go.” It’s not stubbornness. It’s not a lack of...

Picture this: your child refuses to put on their shoes, throws themselves on the floor during bedtime, or argues over every step of the morning routine. You feel the tension rising, they feel your frustration, and before you know it — you’re both locked in a power...

Imagine a young child who seems constantly on alert — scanning the room, clinging to routines, melting down when plans shift even slightly. Or a child who wants to participate but becomes overwhelmed by noise, transitions, or unclear expectations. Parents often ask,...

Picture this: a toddler repeats the same movement over and over, lines up toys with careful precision, or becomes overwhelmed by sounds that seem ordinary to everyone else. Parents notice the signs, wonder quietly, Google late at night — and then ask the question so...

Picture this: you finally make the call — the therapist consultation you’ve been thinking about for months. You close the laptop, and instead of relief, something tightens in your chest. Should I have been able to handle this on my own? Is this my fault? Did I wait...

Imagine this: your child has been practicing a new coping strategy for weeks — deep breathing, asking for help, using a break card — and at home, it works beautifully. But the moment they walk into school, it’s as if the skill disappears. Different...

Imagine your child lining up toy animals, assigning each one a personality, a voice, and a role in their tiny imagined world. Or maybe they’re building a blanket fort — complete with rules, rituals, and a sign that says “Keep Out.” It may look simple. It may even look...

Picture this: your child wants something but can’t find the words.  Frustration builds, maybe there’s a cry, a stomp, or silence instead. For parents, these moments can feel heartbreaking — you know your child has so much to say, but the words just won’t come. At Alma...

Picture this: your child is refusing to put on their shoes, your coffee’s gone cold, and you’re already late for school drop-off.  You feel that wave of frustration rising — the one that makes you want to yell even though you know it won’t help. You’re not alone....