Tips for a Mentally Healthy Holiday from Child and Family Therapists

It’s Thanksgiving time! Time for gratitude and family gatherings (sort of). If it goes well, it can boost your mental health for the colder months to come. If not… we have you covered.

Every month we send a newsletter to hundreds of families on our email list. But we don’t want our readers on the blog or social media to miss out!

Click the image to the right to view the November issue. Click here to add your email to the list. (We will NEVER sell or share our list.)

In this issue, we talk about preempting fights with your spouse, teaching your children the concept of daily gratitude, and finding the right therapist for your child. Read snippets here, or click for the full posts.

When you fight with your partner at the holidays, is it time for couples therapy? Probably not, says a local Couples Therapist (in Montgomery County, MD).

It’s actually pretty normal for couples to fight at the holidays. If you learn to expect it, you can actually handle it in advance! Nicole Filipe LCMFT tells us how in this post.

Teaching Gratitude to Your Child: a Child Therapist shows us how

Robin Brannan LCMFT walks us through a full day of gratitude in this post. Here are a few examples of the teachable moments she shared.

  • It’s time to get up! Thank your bed for being so cozy before you climb out.

  • Grow taller by reaching your arms up high. Thank your muscles for helping you do it.

  • Smile into the mirror.  Notice the sparkle in your eyes.

  • Taste your food. Thank the person that made it. (Even if it’s yourself).

  • Pet your pet. Thank them for being in your family.

  • Step outside.  Thank the sunshine, the rain, or the breeze for greeting you.

  • Think of someone who helped you today. Thank them if you can.

  • Do something silly.  Enjoy it.

  • Find something soft to touch, like a blanket or stuffed animal.  Hold it for as long as you want.

  • Thank your socks or sweater for keeping you warm today, or your awesome shades for keeping you cool.

  • Tell someone about the best part of your day. Listen to them as they do the same.

Finding the right Child Therapist in Montgomery County. And knowing when you need to.

Montgomery County is a great place to live, and to parent.  We have so many options.  For activities, for camps, and for schools.

With this many options, finding the right fit for your child can be exhausting.  And it’s even harder when you’re looking for something as important as a child therapist. 

There are 225 listings for child psychologists in Bethesda.  And hundreds more if you’re also willing to drive to Kensington, Rockville, Potomac, Chevy Chase, or Silver Spring. 

Ask the right questions and understand the alphabet soup of credentials with help from this post.

And of course, if you’re looking for Child Therapy, Couples Therapy, Teen Therapy, Family Therapy, or Parenting Support we can help. Our services are online in Maryland and our Kensington office is an easy reach from Montgomery County. Book a free consult today!

Robin Brannan

Robin Brannan is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist in Maryland, where she has been treating children, couples, parents, and families since 2001.

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What To Do If A Loved One Is Depressed… Insight from a Child & Family Therapist

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We fight at the holidays, do we need couples therapy? Not Necessarily--a Couples Therapist tells you why