Sync Counseling Center |

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...

Giving Your “Good Enough”

By Emily Phifer A few months back, I was contemplating the importance of giving of ourselves-- to the world, to our work, to those around us. For me personally, when I go to offer anything of myself to the world, it’s very easy for me to get caught up by my own inadequacy, insecurity, and uncertainty. The following questions readily bubble to the surface: “What if I don’t say just the right thing? What if someone has already shared an idea like mine before? What if what I have to give isn’t...

Coping With Sudden Change: Listening to the Trees

By Curtis Miller and Emily Phifer In nature, we see reflected back to us a truth we also encounter in our core experience as humans: Life is unpredictable and difficult. When the unexpected hits, every aspect of our being is challenged - mind, body and soul. Like trees buffeted about by strong, gale force winds, we must adapt and move in response to what hits us - bending with the challenge, and not fighting against it. When we face unexpected hardship, we are forced to face the crisis at hand, even as we...

Grounded In the Present: Now. Here. This.

By Emily Phifer In overwhelming circumstances, with no end in sight, we may find ourselves challenged by knowing how best to survive the day- to- day marathon of our lives. Disruptions to our routines, plans, and usual rhythms can bring overwhelm and disorientation for even the most balanced of people. Our overwhelm is a normal and valid response to the stressors, changes and uncertainty we are collectively experiencing. We are normal, we are overwhelmed, and we are struggling, together. Father Greg Boyle, the Jesuit priest and founder/director of “Homeboy Industries” organization with...

Divorce Through The Eyes Of A Child

By Annie Miller, LMFT This is blog post #1 in the series "Helping My Child Cope After A Divorce." Sometimes things breakdown in a relationship. A marital relationship is no exception. A troubled marriage can leaves spouses hurt, confused, lost, and angry, especially when it leads to divorce. Children are intuitive, and will often anticipate a divorce long before parents communicate this to the child. So, what does divorce look like for children and how can you help them cope? We have the answer below. What Does Divorce Look Like Through The Eyes Of...

PLAY: Promoting Lifetime Achievement for Youth

Giving Your “Good Enough”

Coping With Sudden Change: Listening to the Trees

Grounded In the Present: Now. Here. This.

Divorce Through The Eyes Of A Child

Stay in touch