Seattle Child Therapy - Thriving Child Blog » Alternative treatment http://www.thriving-child.com/blog Robyn Howisey, M.A. - Child and teen counselor in Seattle. Therapy to thrive! Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:59:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Hypnosis for teens http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/2010/08/hypnosis-for-teens/ http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/2010/08/hypnosis-for-teens/#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2010 22:27:15 +0000 Robyn Howisey http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/?p=280 I have been incorporating elements from hypnosis into some of my work with teens, with really fantastic results. I know some people freak out at the word hypnosis, but really it’s a process of being in a very relaxed state. You are still aware and know everything that is going on around you, and can have a conversation, but my experience lately with teens is that their defenses are lowered, they don’t feel like they are supposed to give a “right” answer, and we seem to get deeper into the meat of what is going on in their life. Teens report enjoying the sessions and seem more able to talk about some tough tough issues. In typical counseling sessions, I think sometimes teens can feel like things get too intense (ie looking and talking directly to the therapist) and put on the breaks. In a hypnosis session they have their eyes closed, and seem to go wherever their mind takes them to bring up what needs to be brought it.

I’ve seen it work extremely well for teens dealing with grief and loss, and for those struggling with feeling like they can’t talk to their parents or another key figure in their life. I am really enjoying this new element to my work and am excited to share it with current and new clients.

]]> http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/2010/08/hypnosis-for-teens/feed/ 0 yoga and kids http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/2010/04/yoga-and-kids/ http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/2010/04/yoga-and-kids/#comments Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:50:12 +0000 Robyn Howisey http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/?p=265 http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/13/kids.yoga/index.html

This article is a great introduction for how yoga can benefit kids. I see it as a way for kids to connect to their body, learn to control their movement and breath, and be grounded. When some kids have a hard time talking about painful issues, yoga could be a great tool to get the emotional energy moving and release energy.

]]> http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/2010/04/yoga-and-kids/feed/ 0 Talisman Summer Camp for kids with ADD/ADHD, Learning Diabilities, Autism and more http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/2007/10/talisman-summer-camp-for-kids-with-addadhd-learning-diabilities-autism-and-more/ http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/2007/10/talisman-summer-camp-for-kids-with-addadhd-learning-diabilities-autism-and-more/#comments Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:58:37 +0000 Robyn Howisey http://thriving-childseattleblog.com/?p=34 I just found out about the Talisman Camp.

This is straight from their philosophy statement on their website “We are an experiential wilderness learning camp that offers children opportunities to develop physical and social competence in an atmosphere that encourages and supports self-regulation and self-direction. We believe that every child wants to do well, and that every child has unique strengths, struggles, and outlooks on life. In order to help each camper reach their potential, we must meet them as individuals and not attempt to fit them into one mold.”

Talisman serves kids ages 8-17 with a variety of programs, and is based out of North Carolina. You can find out about their dates and rates here.

I have to say I don’t yet know anyone that has been to this camp, but I think it sounds amazing and just wanted to spread the word.

]]> http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/2007/10/talisman-summer-camp-for-kids-with-addadhd-learning-diabilities-autism-and-more/feed/ 0 Recent Study Finds Food Additives Linked to Hyperactivity http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/2007/09/recent-study-find-food-additives-linked-to-hyperactivity/ http://www.thriving-child.com/blog/2007/09/recent-study-find-food-additives-linked-to-hyperactivity/#comments Tue, 11 Sep 2007 03:55:45 +0000 Robyn Howisey http://thriving-childseattleblog.com/?p=26 I have never been a big proponent of food coloring and preservatives but there has been controversy on both sides of the issue on whether or not they cause and exacerbate ADHD and/or hyperactivity.

A recent study conducted in Britain and published in The Lancet, a British Medical Journal, (and written up in the New York Times) found that “a mix of additives commonly found in children’s food increases the mean level of hyperactivity.”

The double blind, 6 week trial was conducted with several hundred 3-year-olds and 8 and 9-year-olds using a variety of food colorings and sodium benzoate – a preservative commonly used in food. The children were evaluated by teachers, parents, and a computer test for inattention and hyperactivity. “Researchers discovered that children in both age groups were significantly more hyperactive and that they had shorter attention spans if they consumed the drink containing the additives.” (Rosenthal, The New York Times, Sept 6, 2007).

The article in the NY Times can be found here

If you are interested in learning more about food allergies and how children may react to foods and additives, or want to know how to do a diet to find out how your child reacts to specific foods, I highly recommend Doris Rapp’s book “Is this your child? Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies in Children and Adults.”

It’s a thick book and filled with information on how to test and treat allergies (without medication). I found it truly eye-opening, especially drawings included in the book of children who cannot control their crayon after having certain foods (pizza, ice cream, and soda in one example) and then draw beautifully and within the lines just two days later after being on a food elimination diet and the suspect foods have left the system.

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