Some days I can so clearly recall the newborn phase, while other days it feels distant. As my son’s second birthday approaches, I’ve been reflecting on both the absolute joys of those early weeks of his life and also the growth these past two years — not just in him, but in me.

As a new school year begins, there's a palpable sense of excitement and hustle around the city. Families are busy with their final back-to-school shopping, schedules are being released, and the anticipation of a new season fills the air. While many children look forward to the fresh start, the return to friends, and a break from the monotony of long summer days, the new school year can also bring anxiety and uncertainty, accompanied by a wave of complex emotions.

"Are you breaking up with us?" This sentiment is one I've encountered numerous times as I broach the topic of termination with caregivers. While the remark may appear lighthearted, it undoubtedly speaks to the depth and significance of the therapeutic relationships we, as therapists, form not only with our clients but often with the entire family system.

In our last two blogs, we’ve been discussing how to talk to your child about refugees and how you can begin exploring more through conversations and learning in your home. While discussing topics such as that of immigration are important in creating good, global citizens and increasing empathy, they are especially important and relevant to our community. For many caregivers, it may be easy to assume that their children have not been exposed to immigration or refugees. However, the reality is that as of 2019, Austin has approximately 12,000 refugees, and therefore, it’s likely that many children have classmates who are refugees or immigrants and/or have a loved one close to them who is. 

As a parent, my hope is to raise caring, strong, and compassionate children that become good global citizens. And yet as an adult, I’m aware that many subjects, such as that of refugees, can be a complicated topic in today’s world. Not only does it often bring political debate, but also the complexity of understanding the various terms when people speak about refugees.

At Ensemble Therapy, we understand the importance of healing and we want to foster growth throughout our community, so we prioritize partnering with local organizations and volunteering in our community. We recognize that currently, the system our community has for supporting refugees is in need of volunteers, resources, and assistance. We know that as we practice acceptance and inclusion and honor diverse identities the healing benefits ripple through the community at large, so we want to share with our closest community (you!) why you should explore immigration with your children and how to do so.

All children deserve the right to play. And furthermore, to play in a space that meets their needs and allows them to experience a feeling of safety to express themselves and grow.

As we begin to settle into the new school year, I often find myself wondering how it's been almost two years since the start of the pandemic. In some ways, it feels like it's been an eternity whereas other days it seems as though it was just yesterday when the world came to a stop. And while more recently things are starting to feel like the “new normal,” and I feel like I’m able to navigate the world as I once did, I can’t help but acknowledge the universal grief that is all around us. Grief both in death and in the loss of what once was.

At Ensemble Therapy, we care deeply about the “why” behind our practice of counseling. We believe there is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach to counseling; each therapist views the counseling process and their clients through a unique lens formed from years of education and experience. This means that as a client, you can choose the counselor who is the best fit for you or your child. While this freedom to choose the best-fit may sound nice at first, it can be difficult to know how to choose when there seem to be so many ways to do therapy. Not only are there lots of theories on how to practice counseling, often the language behind counseling theories is difficult to understand and apply without any previous background knowledge.

As parents during a pandemic, we have been tasked with many new roles. We have been teachers, therapists, bakers, gardeners, tech support, and emotional regulators — and that was all before noon. This list doesn’t include what our “typical” role looked like before the pandemic all the while trying to make the safest decision for our kids that balances their social and emotional well-being. As we finally approach the end of the year, we may have begun establishing a rhythm, getting used to the “new normal” and finding things a little bit more familiar. And yet, the world around us continues to change, and we are constantly having to adapt along the way. Many of us are feeling exhausted, burnt out, and ready for a break. The skills and routines that were once more easily accessible for us have since been much harder to implement.

There’s something magical about being near the ocean. Between the calming waves splashing against one another to the soft sand beneath my toes, the ocean has always provided me a calming and healing experience. However, it’s more than a cliche as sand has been proven to calm your nervous system and relax your body, which is exactly why sand makes for a great healing modality.