Blog
The Power of Mindfulness for Kids: Simple Techniques for Everyday Life
Parenting can feel like a whirlwind—busy schedules, homework battles, and endless activities. Sometimes, it seems like kids are moving a mile a minute, and their emotions follow suit. That’s where mindfulness comes in! It’s a simple yet powerful way to help kids slow...
Understanding Types and Development of Play
Play is essential to a child's development, fostering growth at home, in school, and in social settings. Whether independent or interactive, play shapes social and emotional learning. My goal is to provide a brief introduction to content described in an article from...
Why does my child need constant reassurance?
At Individual and Family Connection (IFC), we often see children struggle with reassurance-seeking behaviors, especially when anxiety is involved. Reassurance seeking occurs when children repeatedly ask questions like, “What if I fail?” or “What if I mess up?” This...
5 Powers of Play: How Play Shapes Your Child’s Development and Strengthens Family Connection
Play is so much more than just fun and games—it’s a powerful tool for child development, emotional resilience, and family connection. As a child mental health therapist, I see firsthand how play nurtures emotional well-being, social skills, and cognitive growth in...
IFC Celebrates 2024 Best and Brightest in Wellness® Win
We’re Honored (Again!) to Be Named a 2024 Winner We are thrilled to announce that Individual and Family Connection has been recognized as a 2024 WINNER for The Nation’s Best and Brightest in Wellness Program®—for the second year in a row! This prestigious award...
Healthy Boundaries for Screen Time
Setting Healthy Boundaries Around Screen Time for Kids and Teens As a therapist working with families, one of the most common challenges I hear about is the difficulty parents face in creating healthy boundaries around screen time. With the growing presence of...
Fear to Flourish: Tackling School Anxiety
Many children experience a mix of excitement and nervousness about school, but for some, these feelings can intensify into significant worry and anxiety. As a parent, it is tough to witness your child struggle with these emotions. To help them effectively in tackling...
Is your child on TikTok? Thoughts from a child therapist.
IFC's therapist, Tess Kihm was asked on to Chicago's news radio, WBBM to share her expertise on the psychological effects of children being featured on social media. Listen or read along to find her advice!...
Conquering College Anxiety
Proven Strategies to Overcome Your Higher Education Jitters Starting college is an exciting and transformative experience, but it can also be a source of anxiety for many individuals. The transition from high school to college brings a whole new set of challenges and...
Best and Brightest in Wellness
Individual and Family Connection is so honored to be named a 2023 WINNER for The Nation's Best and Brightest in Wellness Program®! The Best and Brightest In Wellness is an innovative initiative that recognizes and celebrates quality and excellence in health awareness....