Starting therapy can be a scary process for many people. Some may feel hesitant or confused about the process or how to get started. Also, for some, the idea of being vulnerable with a complete stranger can feel intimidating. Often in life, though, if you want something different to happen, you have to DO something different, even if it seems scary or unfamiliar.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) has been well researched for over 30 years, and its impact on our children and teens is becoming more and more evident. As a mental health professional serving children and families, I have sat across from many anxious parents seeking support for their child who recently experienced a potentially traumatic event. Abuse or neglect, violence, a loved one dying by suicide, and growing up in a home with substance abuse, mental health issues, or parental separation, otherwise known as ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), come to mind.