D. Brent Dawson Child and Family Institute

08/05/2025

“What If It’s Too Late?” Facing Eco-Anxiety With Heart and Hope

Have you ever stared at a news headline and felt your chest tighten? Melting glaciers. Mass extinction. Fires, floods, rising heat.
A quiet thought creeps in: “What’s the point?”

That feeling has a name: eco-anxiety.
It’s the dread we feel when the future of the plane, and everyone we lov, feels uncertain. It’s not irrational. It’s deeply human.

But here’s what I want you to know:
*Eco-anxiety doesn’t mean you’re weak.
*It means you care deeply.

So the question becomes:
How do we hold that grief without shutting down?

5 Therapist-Tested Tools for Eco-Anxiety

1. Name the Feeling:
The first step is recognizing: “I’m overwhelmed.” Anxiety wants silence. Naming it reclaims your agency. Say it out loud or write it down. “I’m grieving what feels lost.” This isn’t collapse—it’s consciousness.

2. Shrink the Timeline
Thinking in centuries leads to panic.
Bring your focus to the next 10 minutes.
* Can you water your plants?
* Can you make one kind choice for the Earth today?

Tiny actions combat helplessness.

3. Grieve with Others
Eco-grief is meant to be shared.
Find others who are also “awake” to the pain: support groups, climate cafés, or even online communities.
Pain shared is pain softened.

4. Turn Anxiety Into Action
Anxiety says: freeze or flee.
But what if you planted something instead?

*Grow herbs in a window
*Host a clothing swap
*Volunteer at a park. Each act says: “The Earth matters. I matter.”

5. Anchor in Beauty
Even in crisis, nature is still offering you beauty.
* Trees still sway.
* Flowers still bloom.
* The sun still rises.
Let it in. Take pictures of it. Let awe be your medicine.

Final Thought:
Your eco-anxiety isn’t a weakness. It’s your nervous system responding to a world that needs care.
But you don’t have to carry that weight alone, or all at once.
Heal with the Earth, not just for it.

07/15/2025

07/08/2025

06/26/2025

Quote of the Day

06/25/2025

What's Really Going On with Teens Today?
It's not just one thing—and that's the challenge.

Many teens today are struggling with deep, unprocessed trauma—from family instability to social and school-related stress. Others are overwhelmed by identity confusion, trying to figure out who they are in a world that constantly pressures them to define and display themselves. Across the board, teens are facing digital overload—their emotional regulation and sense of self-worth shaped by endless scrolling, comparisons, and notifications.

These aren't isolated problems; they're overlapping. They're urgent. And they're rewiring how teens think, feel, and connect.

The path forward?
We need to create spaces that are trauma-informed, identity-safe, and emotionally grounded in today's digital reality. That means training adults to recognize emotional red flags, offering mentorship over judgment, and equipping teens with real tools for digital resilience.

Because teens aren't broken—they're adapting to a world that often doesn't see what they need.

What shifts have you noticed in the teens around you?

TEEN ANXIETY RESET GROUP - ENROLLING NOW!
DM me for details.

06/24/2025

TEEN ANXIETY GROUP - NOW ENROLLING (limited spots available)


Parents — is your teen…
• Constantly overwhelmed or shutting down?
• Struggling with friendships, social media pressure, or perfectionism?
• Avoiding school, activities, or even talking to you?

You’re not alone — and neither are they.

✨Introducing: THE ANXIETY RESET GROUP
A safe, expert-led space where teens will:
✔ Learn real tools to manage stress, panic, and overthinking
✔ Feel understood by others going through the same thing
✔ Build confidence without the pressure
✔ Leave every week with something that actually helps

DM “RESET”

Let’s give your teen tools they’ll use for life.

11/11/2023

Writer Vanese Maddix was diagnosed with anxiety, depression and a panic disorder 10 years ago. Here she shares the six foolproof ways she looks after herself

11/11/2023

Honored to be a part of Killing the negative conference in tulsa Ok.

10/04/2023

**Dance of Decision: A Ballad of Life's Crossroads**

In the waltz of life, where melodies of choices play, we find ourselves at the crossroads, faced with decisions as heavy as the moon setting on a midnight sea. We unravel the tapestry of making tough choices, poetic and profound.

**Authenticity:**

Amidst the verses of our existence, making hard decisions is akin to baring our souls to the world. We’ve been invited to the dance of authenticity, a tango with our innermost desires and truths. In the quiet hours, we confront the raw beauty of who we are, our unspoken lyrics echoing through the chambers of choice.

**Responsibility:**

The dancefloor of life demands we take partners—responsibility, a silent companion. Every decision is a pact with the universe. To be responsible is not a burden, but a rendezvous with the cosmic order, where we write our own lyrics on the parchment of destiny.

**Freedom:**

In the hymn of choices, freedom is found in the spaces between the notes. Making tough decisions is a symphony of liberation. Each chord struck, each path chosen, is a stanza in our personal anthem. Freedom is both haunting and liberating, resonating through the corridors of our chosen narratives.

**Anxiety & Growth:**

As we journey through the verses of uncertainty, learning that anxiety is but a companion in the dance. It's the dance of the soul, where discomfort births growth. In the shadows of apprehension, we find the light of self-discovery, a poetic metamorphosis echoing in the empty chambers of consciousness not yet explored.

**Life's Uncertainty:**

Uncertainty is the dance partner whose steps are unpredictable. Life's unpredictability is a paradoxical beauty. Hard decisions become verses in the song of existence, harmonizing with the melody of the unknown. It's an invitation to savor the uncertainty, to dance in the rain of life without fearing the storm.

In the poetic den of hard decisions, we find our spirit. It's not merely choosing between paths but a lyrical exploration of our essence. So, as you stand astride the boundaries of choice, let the melodies of your decisions be verses in the ballad of a life well-lived.

09/28/2023

🏠👪 Navigating the Empty Nest: Challenges and Triumphs 👪🏠

🦋 As parents, we often anticipate the bittersweet moment when our children leave the nest, embarking on their own exciting journeys. While it's a proud and exciting time, it can also bring a wave of mixed emotions. Let's talk about some common challenges that arise during this transition and how to conquer them together! 🦋

❤️ Loss and Identity Shift: The empty nest signifies a profound change in our role as parents. It's okay to mourn the loss of our daily role and to feel a shift in our identity. Embrace this opportunity to rediscover and nurture your own passions and interests.

👥 Couple Dynamic: With children gone, it's common for couples to experience a shift in their relationship dynamic. Take this chance to reconnect, rekindle shared interests, and communicate openly. Celebrate this new phase of life and discover the joys of being just the two of you again.

💔 Dealing with Emotions: Feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and sadness are natural during this time. Lean on your support network, seek professional guidance if needed, and remember to be patient and compassionate with yourself. It's okay to process and grieve the changes.

💛 Rebuilding Relationships: The empty nest can also lead to a strengthened bond with your adult children. Embrace new roles as mentors and friends, explore deeper conversations, and cherish the moments spent together. Be sure to give them space to grow while staying connected.

🌟 Self-Care and Personal Growth: Embracing this new phase is an opportunity for personal growth and self-care. Pursue hobbies, set new goals, and take time to care for your physical and emotional well-being. Focus on your own dreams and aspirations!

🗝️ Embracing the Journey: The empty nest is not the end of your parenting journey; it's the beginning of a new chapter. Embrace the unknown with excitement, trust that you've raised capable and independent individuals, and remember that it's never too late to create a fulfilling and joyful life.

💖 Share in the comments below: How did you navigate the empty nest? What advice can you offer fellow parents going through this transition? Let's support one another through this exciting yet challenging time! 💖

09/27/2023

Hanging at When Life Hands You Teenagers conference.

09/15/2023

🌟 The Psychological Power of Kindness 🌟

Hey there, wonderful people! Did you know that acts of kindness can have a profound impact on our psyche. 🤗✨

🧠 Kindness and the Brain:
Did you know that acts of kindness actually activate the pleasure centers in our brain? When we engage in kind acts or witness them, our brain releases hormones like dopamine and oxytocin, which are responsible for feelings of happiness, connection, and trust. It's nature's way of rewarding us for being kind! So when you spread kindness, you're not just making others feel good; you're giving your brain a boost too! 🧡

❤️ Kindness and Emotional Well-being:
Kindness has shown to enhance our overall emotional well-being. Regular acts of kindness have been linked to reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. By showing kindness to others, we not only create a positive impact on their lives but also foster a sense of purpose and meaning in our own. It reminds us that we have the ability to make a difference, no matter how small. 😇

🌍 Kindness and Connection:
Kindness is a true connector! It strengthens our social bonds, improves relationships, and fosters a sense of belonging. When we engage in kind acts, we create a ripple effect, inspiring others to pay it forward. Through acts of kindness, we build a supportive community that thrives on compassion and understanding. Together, we can create a world that is kinder, more empathetic, and accepting for all. 🌈

🌺 Small Acts, Big Impact:
Remember, kindness does not have to be grand gestures; even the smallest act can have a profound effect on someone's day. From a smile, a compliment, or lending an ear to someone in need, these simple acts can make a world of difference. So let's challenge ourselves to spread kindness wherever we go because, in the end, it's the little acts of love and compassion that truly shape our world. 💫



Remember, my virtual door is always open if you need a listening ear or advice on any psychological matters. Take care and continue to be kind! 🤗💙

www.dbrentdawson.com
214-687-8070