Child and Family Therapy Archives

Time to trade in bathing suits for backpacks as summer is coming to an end
and the start of a new school year is upon us! Back to school can be such an
exciting time for families but can also bring up a lot of mixed emotions. This time
of year presents an ideal opportunity to create new positive and constructive habits
for both children and caregivers. Setting children up for success is a community
effort as we all are aware that it indeed takes a village to raise a child.

My experience as both a school counselor and therapist has taught me how
much, most children respond to structure. Back to school is the ideal time to help
build new routines for families. While the school day provides a natural rhythm to
our days, afterschool and evening time can be more challenging. Spending quality
time with your child after school is proven to help boost their confidence and well-
being. Encourage your children to engage in family games or play time during
down time and they will learn better communication and teamwork skills.

This time of year is also a great time to increase positive reinforcement for
your child who may struggle with different aspects of school at times. If your child
sometimes lacks motivation for school, try integrating some type of positive
reinforcement. Even small rewards like a piece of candy or an ice cream cone can
be effective. Reinforcing positive behavior at school can really help kids feel seen
but the most meaningful reward you can give any child is your time. The more
quality time you can spend with your child the better so that they learn to
communicate and identify their feelings about the many changes happening to their
bodies and their brains.

If your child is struggling with some aspect of school, whether it be a
behavioral issue or social anxiety or some other challenge, you may consider
reaching out first to the school counselor or school social worker. Many
counselors offer small counseling groups as well as one-on-one support for
students. This is a great place to start to see how your child responds to working
with an adult in a counseling setting. If your child benefits from this kind of
support then you might also consider outside counseling. Some children are activated by therapy in as little as 12-15 sessions depending on what their goals look like and what kind of coping skills are taught. We would love to support your child and family as you navigate the school year. Request a free 15 minute consultation with one of our compassionate therapists today!

Best of luck to you and your families as you take on the many challenges of a new school year.

Written By Elizabeth Scott

5 Years and 5 Things to Celebrate:

Surviving/Thriving during Covid
- We signed our office lease in January of 2020, excited and unknowing that the world would go into a shutdown in March. The COVID-19 pandemic changed how the world functioned for a long time and it caused so much emotional suffering. We knew we needed to pivot to telehealth services in order to support children and families in Tucson through this scary time. We were able to support many families through grief, anxiety and depression during this time. Eventually, we were able to start seeing clients again in the office and we were so happy to reconnect in person and get back to doing creative, fun and hands-on activities to engage children in therapy.
Growth of Office Space
- We were able to expand office space that was designed with comfort and care in mind for the children and families we work with. We were able to add another office and expand our team!
Growth of Team
- We expanded from a solo practice to a group practice in order to increase our impact in the community and meet the emotional wellness needs of children and families in Tucson. We were able to add a Spanish-speaking team member to better serve and represent our community.
Serving and Loving Our Tucson community
- We find it meaningful to cultivate relationships with children and families in our community through short and long term relationships. We love to see the growth that takes place when children process emotions in therapy, feel supported & safe, and learn to cope with their emotions in a healthy way. We celebrate with them when they accomplish their emotional and relational wellness goals.
- We love volunteering and supporting non-profits in the community. Susie spent years on the board of Seeds Community Centerand this year Resilience Therapy was one of their community partners!
- Susie currently serves as the Director at the Becoming Grace Foundation
Investing in the Emotional Wellness and Resilience of the Next Generation
- We have worked with over 500 children
- We have supported children and families in over 10,000 sessions
- We feel honored to be a part of hope, healing and resilience in the lives of children and families in Southern Arizona

Back to School 2025

5 Years and 5 Things to Celebrate!