LC4YF Blog
You Are in Control of Your Thoughts, They Are Not in Control of You
As a mental health professional, I can say I have seen an increase in individuals struggling with symptoms of anxiety and depression. These symptoms can feel debilitating at times. Making it difficult to do simple tasks at work and at home. Symptoms of anxiety and...
Benefits of Volunteering in Your Community
This past summer I began volunteering weekly at a local animal shelter. Before signing up for dog walking, I had no idea how much joy volunteering would bring me. I was looking for something to fill my time after work and figured I could use the exercise. Plus, I had...
Effectively Apologize
Many of us can recall an experience of being made to apologize, especially as children. Some of us also remember being on the receiving end of such an apology. Perhaps a sibling argument escalated to name-calling and a parent or other adult intervened, insisting the...
The Danger of Self-Diagnosing
Whether it’s a nagging cough, strange stomach problems or other aches and pains, we have all turned to the internet at one point to dissect the problem and find solutions. If you are anything like me, after googling your symptoms on WebMD, you will read the worst-case...
Changing the Brain
My work as a therapist allows me the opportunity to be creative, to engage in continued learning, and to connect to people in such a beautiful and powerful way. I really love the job I get to do each day. For me though, one of the most exciting and fascinating parts...
What’s Worth More than Money?
A couple weeks ago, my significant other accepted a job at a company that offered him every one of the non-monetary benefits he had been asking his current company to offer him for the last three years. He was the second person that day to give his notice and the...
Childhood ADHD Explored: Myths, Facts, Strengths and Thoughts
October 2022 is National ADHD Awareness Month. Now, more than ever, is a good time to reflect on “neuro-diversity”. That is- the brain differences that exist in us all (versus a “one-brain fits all” approach). It can be helpful to know a bit about disorders like ADHD...
Confirmation Bias
Confirmation bias exists within all of us. It can be recognized in a few different ways: in the tendency to seek information that confirms our existing beliefs, the pull to interpret new information in those same ways, and by forming beliefs through the use of...
Welcome New Board Members
A message from Rick Peterson, Board Chair, Lakes Center for Youth and Families: We would like to send a warm welcome to our newest Board Members! Gretchen Mattson is the Principal at Linwood Elementary. She has worked as a teacher and instructional leader for the past...