MindLight

10/02/2025

MindLight is currently closed for some much needed R&R! We will reopen on Monday October 20th

10/01/2025

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects communication, behavior, and social interaction—each person experiences it differently. Learn more: https://ow.ly/wy2h50X0sw1

09/17/2025

Su***de survivors support group now forming. Please call the office at (908)651 9388 or email info@suefarley.sprucecare.com for more information or to register.

09/04/2025

5 YEARS!! This month, MindLight celebrates its five year anniversary. We’d like to thank our wonderful admin assistant Julie, our favorite psych NP Dr. Smith, our many therapeutic partners including Paths Psychiatric Services, LLC, Meyer Psychotherapy, LLC VAS Counseling LLC , Breathe Psychotherapy, and Sue Farley, LPC, LCADC among many others, and of course all of our wonderful clients who have allowed us to be a small part of their journeys. Here’s to another 5 years!

09/04/2025

08/18/2025

Treat yourself kindly. 💚

08/11/2025

Going back to school can bring up big worries for kids, but talking about concerns — and feeling supported — can help. Here are some tips to make your back-to-school conversations more productive and less stressful for everyone.

1. Be realistic about challenges
Glossing over your child's challenges can leave them feeling unheard.
Acknowledge your child's struggles and be direct - and strategic. Think about what's traditionally been difficult for your child. Past troubles can provide a roadmap for future support.
Give your child the chance to talk through any concerns and work together to brainstorm solutions.

2. Take worries seriously
Issues that might seem silly to you can be very serious to your child.
Worrying they won't have any classes with friends, seeing a former crush in the hall, finding out they have another class with a teacher who "Hates me!" – all of these can be sources of real stress. Instead of brushing worries away, take care to validate kids' feelings and give them opportunities to talk about what's troubling them. Asking open-ended, non-judgmental questions can help kids open up, and make it easier to share worries.

3. Talk about the good stuff
Help your child remember some of the good parts of school, like activities or classes they like, favorite teachers, and friends they've missed over the summer.
Try encouraging kids to compare notes on topics like these:
• What did they miss about school during summer vacation?
• What are they looking forward to? Starting a new subject?
Joining a team? Decorating their locker?

4. Don't push
The urge to check in, even when your child isn't responding, might be more about your own anxieties than your child's needs.
Try to manage your own expectations, and if your child isn't ready to talk or doesn't seem engaged with the conversation, that's okay. You'll have plenty of opportunities for conversations as the year goes on.
For now, just knowing you're there, and that you love and support them, can be enough.

Get more of our back-to-school resources:
https://childmind.org/resources/back-to-school/

08/07/2025

We’re excited to announce that Dr. Smith has once again been nominated as one of NJ’s Favorite Kid Docs! She’s in good company with our colleague over at Meyer Psychotherapy, LLC

07/03/2025

Celebrating all of life's freedoms

Are any of these on your “want to stop doing” list?

07/01/2025

For many of us, summer can have a great impact on our routines. We may not necessarily realize how much our routines contribute to our overall mental wellbeing until something changes.

What is one thing you do that helps you maintain your routine during this time of year?

I'll go first!

Calendar reminders! I need reminders a week before, a day before, the day of, and right before I need to leave.

Send a message to learn more