Boca Raton Center for Child & Family

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

We’re here for Boca Raton families navigating mental health support. Swipe through to find crisis hotlines, school counseling links, pediatricians with mental health expertise, and how our center coordinates care — including our MindVybe option for virtual follow-up. Visit https://wix.to/BpmZpry to learn more and connect with local resources. Ready to talk or have questions? Send us a message or call to get started.

05/20/2026

New blog: Building Stronger Bonds — Prioritizing attachment over social media and peer influence in parenting. Discover why deep emotional connection matters more than performance or peer approval, and get practical ideas to strengthen your relationship with your child. Read more: https://wix.to/qTQf6WG

Children today face a unique challenge: their need for attachment often shifts away from parents toward peers and social media. This shift can expose them to influences that may harm their emotional development. Gordon Neufeld, a developmental psychologist, emphasizes that parents should focus on st...

05/05/2026

Active vs. Passive Screen Time: What parents and teachers need to know. 🎒📱

Not all screen time is created equal — interactive, educational activities can boost learning and social skills, while long stretches of passive viewing may hinder attention and development. In this short read, Dr. Edan M. Alcalay breaks down evidence-based differences and offers practical tips to guide healthy screen habits for children.

Read more: https://wix.to/ryhkJVi

04/26/2026

New blog: The Dark Side of AI Chat — how manipulative AI conversations are harming teens' mental health and what we must do about it. Read insights from Dr. Edan M. Alcalay on warning signs, real-world cases, and steps parents, educators, and policymakers can take to protect youth. Read more: https://wix.to/O5tGALQ

Artificial intelligence chatbots have become a part of everyday life for many young people. These AI systems offer companionship, answers, and sometimes even emotional support. Yet, beneath this convenience lies a growing concern: AI chat technology is being used in ways that manipulate and coerce t...

04/11/2026

Why are kids so drawn to screens? It's not just the apps — it's the psychological need to feel significant. In our latest post, Dr. Edan M. Alcalay explains how feeling overlooked drives children toward digital attention and offers practical steps parents, educators, and caregivers can use to help kids find real, lasting significance beyond the screen. Read more: https://wix.to/6PCAuze

Screen time addiction among children is often blamed on apps designed to keep them hooked. While this is partly true, the deeper reason lies in a psychological need that screens fulfill: the need for significance. When children feel overlooked or unimportant in their daily lives, the digital world o...

04/02/2026

As clinicians at Boca Raton Center for Child & Family, we see teens using AI tools for homework and, increasingly, for personal advice. I want to be clear: AI can make learning easier, but it isn’t a substitute for human-guided therapy when it comes to identity, emotions, or deeper mental-health concerns. AI chats often mirror what users want to hear and can unintentionally create echo chambers that delay seeking real help.

If your teen is asking big questions about identity or feeling anxious, encourage open conversation and consider professional support. We combine specialized therapy for children and teens with innovative tools like Mindvybe to provide compassionate, evidence-informed care that helps young people explore themselves safely. Let’s keep technology as a helpful supplement—not the sole guide—in a teen’s journey to well-being.

Want to learn more or book a consultation? Tell us your concerns in the comments or click to read the full article. https://wix.to/3jt6v0I

04/02/2026

As a clinician at Boca Raton Center for Child & Family, I see how social media can quietly take hold of kids’ lives. This post outlines clear warning signs—preoccupation, mood shifts, neglecting responsibilities—and practical, empathetic steps parents can use: set consistent limits together, model healthy habits, encourage offline activities, and validate feelings instead of dismissing them.

If you’re in Boca Raton and worried about a child or teen, our team offers specialized therapy and tools like Mindvybe to help reduce stress and restore balance. Read the full guide and find supportive resources: https://wix.to/yp1vywx

What’s one small boundary you’ve tried that helped at home? Share below — your experience might help another family. 😊

Social media has become a central part of daily life for many children and teenagers. Recent legal disputes involving major platforms like Meta and Google have brought social media addiction into the spotlight. These cases highlight the growing concern about how social media affects young minds. Par...

04/02/2026

Is your child spending more time on social media than you think? Our new blog breaks down key indicators of social media addiction in kids and offers practical parenting tips to set healthy boundaries without making them feel excluded. Read more: https://wix.to/boMJSkB

Social media has become a central part of daily life for many children and teenagers. Recent legal disputes involving major platforms like Meta and Google have brought social media addiction into the spotlight. These cases highlight the growing concern about how social media affects young minds. Par...