Give

PLAY: Promoting Lifetime Achievement for Youth

By Rubina Haroutonian, M.A., LMFT, RPT What is Play? It's easy for adults to underestimate play as merely an insignificant or juvenile way for children to pass the time.  In actuality, play is a core foundation for the long-term developmental stages of healthy childhood to adulthood. According to the Association for Play Therapy, play is a way of “being with the child that honors their unique developmental level and looks for ways of helping in the ‘language’ of the child, play.” Play is how children express themselves, with the toys used in play...

Read More

Emotional Refueling: Vital to Mental Health

by Emily Phifer, M.S. MFT   During this difficult life season, Sync Counseling Center wants to remind you that everyone can benefit from prioritizing mental health practices.  Particularly during this pandemic and the collective shifting around long-held systems of  racial inequality in our society today, you may find yourself "running on empty", depleted and fatigued.  It's not uncommon during times of personal or collective grief, or both, for people to find themselves unusually exhausted, slowed down, and having difficulty completing usual tasks or functions.  Grief and stress slow us down physically, emotionally...

Read More

Look Carefully. Listen Carefully: Timeless Advice

Anyone who has ever watched an episode of “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” knows that Fred Rogers was something special.  The PBS icon had a distinct way of connecting to, teaching, and valuing children, adults and living beings in a way that was simultaneously simple and undeniably profound.  Roger’s philosophy, rooted in the innate value of each and every person leaves a timeless legacy of living in humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn and grow.  In these difficult and uncertain times, Mr. Rogers offers lasting wisdom and encouragement for us all as...

Read More

Unrest: a Nation Shouts for Justice

The past few weeks of turbulent unrest in our country shine a global spotlight on the systemic racism and injustice embedded in our history's foundation.   We grieve with our Black brothers and sisters.  Many have watched or heard of those brutal final moments in the life of George Floyd.  As fellow human beings, we are finding ways to take a stand for racial justice in our communities. Even so: Racial injustice in our society has pervasive systemic roots that are not easily uprooted.  While protests and voices and bodies raised in...

Read More

Parenting in Pandemic Times

Even in the best of times, parenting is a challenging and ever-evolving journey, requiring stamina and grace. [perfectpullquote align="full" bordertop="false" cite="" link="" color="" class="" size=""]Add in the daily restrictions, stressors and upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many parents and families are struggling to find their way.[/perfectpullquote] Take a look at these suggested routines and insights from Rubina Haroutonian, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist at Sync Counseling Center to guide you and your family in these uncharted times:   [perfectpullquote align="full" bordertop="false" cite="" link="" color="" class="" size=""]“When parents deal...

Read More

Stay in touch

Sign-up to stay up to date with upcoming events, news, and interesting resources.