Miss Abby's Counseling Corner
Abigail Vickery, L.C.S.W. Boulder Creek School Counselor
Hello and Welcome to Week Two of Distance Learning! We are SO proud of you BC!
I would like to begin this week's newsletter with a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you who responded so positively to my last newsletter. It was wonderful to hear from you and even more wonderful that you felt encouraged!
This week I would like to address the topic of ANXIETY. A definition of anxiety is: a feeling of apprehension and fear, characterized by physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and feelings of stress. All of us struggle from time to time with anxious thoughts and feelings. Some struggle so much that their anxiety affects them negatively in many different areas of their lives.
Facing a global pandemic certainly doesn't help our anxiety. As a caregiver you may be feeling that your anxiety is higher than it typically is during this time. And you may notice that your child is feeling anxious too. This is even more pronounced in those that already struggle with symptoms of anxiety.
THERE IS HOPE! There are many practical ways to address these feelings. First, we need to understand the feelings and how to identify them in ourselves and the children in our care. Second, we need to acknowledge the symptoms and use strategies and tools to help ease the intensity of the anxious symptoms.
Below you will find several helpful resources for all ages. In the RESOURCES FOR CAREGIVERS SECTION there are 4 great resources for you.
The first is an article about Anxiety (in caregivers and children) and helpful information about coping.
The second resource is a graphic for you that provides tips for helping an anxious child.
The third resource is a transcript of a LEADING WITH HOPE call that is hosted by Aaron Hayes. Aaron is the director of Catalyst Mentoring. In one of his weekly LEADING WITH HOPE calls he interviewed Ryan Spitz and talked about the idea of MICROADVENTURES. This is so encouraging! You can have microadventures despite the current isolation we are experiencing. You are only limited by your imagination!
The last resource is a link to information regarding a wonderful and supportive resource for families in our community -- the opportunity to do TRIPLE P FOR FREE! This service is being offered VIRTUALLY! Many of you have heard me talk about Triple P and what an awesome resource it is!
In the RESOURCES FOR KINDER THROUGH FIFTH GRADERS SECTION there is a really fun video that teaches children how to draw a dinosaur. Creativity is a wonderful, healthy coping skill that you can help nurture in your children!
In the RESOURCES FOR SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADERS SECTION there is a graphic that you can review with your jr higher. It is a great conversation starter and can help you process with them what they are able to control and not able to control. Remember that they are feeling a lot of the same feelings that we are right now. It is important to give their big feelings a voice.
Please remember that I am HERE for you! My contact information is listed below. You are more than welcome to contact me!
RESOURCES FOR CAREGIVERS
RESOURCES FOR KINDER THROUGH FIFTH GRADERS
RESOURCES FOR SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADERS
I am HERE for you!
Email: avickery@eesd.net
Location: 505 Springer Drive, Redding, CA, USA
Phone: (530)224-4140