Engaging in these activities with people you feel connected to can bring you closer to happiness, especially when you use that time to strengthen those bonds. Making intentional choices about how to spend your time and what you can gain from it can set you on the path (not the destination) to happiness.

The SPACE protocol allows parents to be supportive to their children without reinforcing the anxiety loop. The goal is to allow kids to feel their anxious feelings and feel confidence in their ability to handle it.

What we don’t always hear is the internal dialogue these teens are grappling with, which can be brutal. As a therapist, one of my tasks is to help teens become aware of their inner voice and understand its impact on their mood. The self-talk I encounter daily is often surprisingly harsh. This internal monologue is their constant companion, and when it turns critical, it can cause a lot of pain.

Feeling nervous before a game or performance is completely normal. However, it’s essential to differentiate between healthy nerves and overwhelming panic. Encourage your child to channel their anxiety into focus and preparation, rather than letting it hinder their performance. Help your child turn that nervous energy into focus, and if their anxiety starts to resemble panic, let’s chat about whether therapy could be the game-changer.

Back to school photos are also markers of growth. As we watch children transition into new grades and take on fresh challenges, we witness their ongoing development. These moments serve as poignant reminders of how far they’ve come and how much further they are yet to go. It’s a celebration of progress and potential.

Some parents worry that discussing depression or anxiety when their child is calm might trigger those feelings. In reality, a calm environment is ideal for having low-pressure conversations about mental health.

If we start with a faulty assumption that the failures come from a lack of desire to do well, then we are stuck, without a path to success. This is when we see low motivation, depression, or anxiety related to school performance. Alternatively, if we start with a growth mindset then we can dive into the source of the problem and be a part of our child’s team.

What excites me about starting a private practice the solo way.

For those who are struggling with Purpose-Driven burnout, there is help available. As a therapist who serves professionals who work in these settings, I have been where my professional clients are and I know that they need someone who understands and can help define the source of the fatigue. Therapy can be an important part of your journey.