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Clair Mellenthin

Child and Family Therapist

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How To Spring Clean Your Soul

March 3, 2020 by clair Leave a Comment

While we often think of spring cleaning as decluttering our homes, this season can also be a wonderful time to emotionally let go of things that are taking up too much space. All of us have things that are keeping us from being fully present in our relationships and in our work.

Marie Kondo’s famous book “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” teaches us that we can honor things in our home for what they meant in our lives at one time, then learn to let them go. When it comes to the soul, some emotions, experiences, and even individuals may have once held significance but now can be released.

To begin this process, you may ask yourself a few questions. What hurt are you still holding onto? What grudges or painful experiences are taking up space in your heart? Do you have any shame that is limiting you? If so, what is at the root of it?

Letting go of these things isn’t always easy, but by working through your feelings, honoring what has some special memory or notable place in your past, and releasing these emotions and experiences, you can find greater freedom and joy in your life.

The Benefits of Physical Affection With Your Children

November 5, 2019 by clair 3 Comments

It may seem obvious, but it bears repeating just how important it is to show physical affection to our children. Giving them hugs helps to increase their brain development as well as their overall social, emotional, and physical development. Studies also show that showing affection helps our kids be happier, less anxious, and be able to create healthy emotional bonds in other relationships.

For some individuals, expressing physical affection may not come naturally. Maybe you feel uncomfortable with hugs and kisses and did not experience this in your own family of origin. If you’re unsure of where to begin, here are some simple tips:\

Skin-To-Skin Contact Is Important in Infancy

Babies need the cozy snuggles their parents can provide, so get close with your little one! This helps their immunity, their physical development, and creating those early bonds.

Laughing, Dancing, and Playing is Just as Powerful As Hugging

If you’re not necessarily a hugger by nature, don’t underestimate the importance of playing and being silly with your children. These other forms of affection also create that burst of feel-good neuro-chemicals in the child’s brain.

Don’t Go Overboard

Learning to read our children’s own cues can help us know when and how often to express physical affection. When kids get a bit older, they may seem to resist a bit, so talk to them about how you want to show your love for them in a way that you’re both comfortable with.

Celebrating Play Therapy Week!

February 1, 2019 by clair Leave a Comment

We are celebrating play therapy week! Many parents still don’t quite know what this type of therapy entails or how it could benefit their children. Here is some helpful information about play therapy:

What Is It?

Play therapy is a kind of therapy that gets away from the traditional method of sitting in a chair and talking to a counselor. Instead of using just words, play therapists provide toys, artwork, games, and other physical means to allow participants to explore certain topics and express their feelings. Play therapy works with the developmental level of a child, teen, or adult who perhaps doesn’t have the language capacity to articulate emotions or difficult experiences.Continue Reading

Anxiety in Toddlers: What We Can Do

December 5, 2018 by clair Leave a Comment

We often tend to think about anxiety as something adolescents and adults experience. After all, young children don’t have responsibilities or anything that could seem to be a legitimate source of stress, right? Wrong! Anxiety can start very early in children. Separation anxiety is something we expect in children, but there are other kinds as well. Here are some common signs of anxiety in toddlers and preschoolers:Continue Reading

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Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S, Director of Child and Adolescence Services, Past President of UAPT. As an experienced play therapist,
and sought after presenter, she frequently appears on local and national media as an expert on child and family issues.