Safe to Grow Psychotherapy with Kristen Hess, LCSW

02/12/2024

People love to say therapy is miraculous and life-changing, but is it really? Not always. On the blog, I explain what therapy CAN do, and how to troubleshoot if doesn't seem to be helping you.

If you're skeptical about therapy, or you've had therapy and was left wondering, "What is the hype all about?", this blog post is for you. My take is this in a nutshell: yes, therapy can work. But it sometimes doesn't. Here some things to keep in mind: Therapy is not the only way to heal Most of us....

08/25/2022

Getting a new sibling can be a BIG adjustment. Head to the blog for 3 ways to support your older child and reduce aggression and sibling rivalry in the long run. https://safetogrow.org/blog/helping-your-older-child-adjust-to-a-new-sibling

It’s hard for parents to know how to handle it when their oldest kid expresses dislike, anger, or aggression toward their new younger siblings. We often find it disturbing, and start to worry that our kids are never going to get along. Those of us who are younger siblings might find this particula...

08/19/2022

School can be SO hard for ADHD kids! Head to the blog for tips on making your ADHD child's school experience more positive and hopeful.
https://safetogrow.org/blog/helping-your-adhd-child-at-school
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08/11/2022

The most wonderful ADHD kids often get the message that they're "bad." Today, on the blog, we're learning how parents can counteract these harmful messages, and build up their ADHD kids' self worth and resilience. https://safetogrow.org/blog/how-to-build-your-adhd-child-s-resilience-and-self-worth

Last week, we talked about some of the ways parents can support their ADHD kids at home. Today, we're learning about how to build up your ADHD child's resilience and self-worth, even in the face of negative experiences in school and other environments. Next week, we'll talk more about how to advocat...

08/04/2022

Many traditional parenting techniques can leave ADHD kids (and their parents) feeling frustrated and hopeless. Head to the blog for a more empowering, research-backed approach. ://safetogrow.org/blog/parenting-your-adhd-child

When I reached out to friends and family, asking what they wanted to see a post about, parenting strategies for ADHD kids was a big one! People mentioned various challenges, including the observation that punishment gets kids into negative feedback loops. They also noted that they have strategies th...

07/29/2022

https://safetogrow.org/blog/how-to-handle-your-child-s-why-phase
Worn out from fielding your toddler's endless stream of questions? Head over to the blog to learn what the "why" phase is all about, and how to respond in ways that meet your child's needs while preserving your energy and sanity!

A toddler’s steady stream of “why” questions can be extremely trying for parents. Sometimes it feels like the “Why did he do that?”, “Why are they tall?”, “Why can’t I do __?”, “Why?” will go on forever. The “why” phase can feel like you’re undergoing a never-ending, ex...

07/21/2022

f you've been walking around with your heart racing and your shoulders around your ears (like me), this one's for you! Head over to the blog for some concrete ways we can relieve stress. https://safetogrow.org/blog/how-to-relieve-stress

When I asked friends and family about what topics they'd like to see on the blog, help with stress relief was a big one. Some international friends shared that they are looking for ways to survive the ongoing COVID lockdowns. And here in the US, while the COVID restrictions may have been lifted, the...

07/14/2022

What mental-health related topics would you love to learn more about on the blog? Let me know in the comments, or in a DM! If you request it, chances are I'll probably write about it 🙂

07/08/2022

So many of us grapple with shame and low self-worth. Learn about where these feelings come from over on the blog! https://safetogrow.org/blog/why-do-we-struggle-with-self-worth

Many of us have a deep sense of unworthiness--deep down, part of us believes that we're terrible human garbage, or inherently "bad" in some way. This feeling may only be awakened at certain low points, or it may be that we grapple with this feeling all the time. Maybe we hustle and try to be as “g...

06/24/2022

Wondering how to defuse a tantrum? Head to the blog for some strategies that help bring calm in the moment AND build kids' emotional regulation skills over the long term! https://safetogrow.org/blog/how-to-respond-to-tantrums

06/17/2022

Ever wonder why kids tantrum? Turns out they're not being "bad"--there's a neurobiological basis for it! Learn more over on the blog: https://safetogrow.org/blog/why-do-kids-tantrum

06/09/2022

Hey all you parents out there! Head over to the blog for three ways to help your child learn to tell the truth, even when it's hard.


https://safetogrow.org/blog/how-to-help-kids-tell-the-truth-part-ii

It can be SO frustrating when our kids keep things from us, act evasive, or outright deny reality as we know it! How do we help our kids be honest with us? A few weeks ago, we learned some of the reasons kids lie or tell tall tales. Then, we learned three strategies that help our kids to be honest w...

05/26/2022

Last week on the blog, we learned about some of the reasons kids lie or tell tall tales. This week, head on over to my blog for some concrete strategies to help encourage kids to tell the truth! https://safetogrow.org/blog/how-to-teach-kids-to-be-honest

Last week, we talked about some of the different reasons that kids lie or tell tall tales. We learned that lying is normal behavior and does not indicate that your child is amoral or disrespects you. Instead, lying may indicate that your child a) doesn't yet know the difference between reality and a...

05/18/2022

It can be SO frustrating when your child lies or makes up tall tales. Today on the blog, we're learning where this behavior comes from! https://safetogrow.org/blog/why-do-kids-lie

Parents often find lying REALLY upsetting. Something about being lied to makes our blood boil. Sometimes we feel disrespected and betrayed--we SAW you spill your juice! How dare you tell us that you didn't! Sometimes we panic and our mind starts churning with worry. If our child is already lying to....

05/13/2022

Why is parenting such an emotionally-intense experience? Turns out there are a bunch of social and neurobiological factors at play. We're getting into it on the blog today! https://safetogrow.org/blog/why-does-parenting-feel-so-intense

Last week, we talked about common fears and insecurities for parents. We learned that it is really common for parents to question their worth, and feel hopeless and not good enough, or unsupported and angry/disappointed with their partners and kids. These feelings are often particularly intense for....

05/10/2022

05/10/2022

Today, I'm re-sharing one of my favorite resources--part I of my two part series on why kids act mean, and how we can respond compassionately while getting the behavior to stop! https://safetogrow.org/blog/why-is-my-kid-being-mean

Why is my kid being mean? It can be so stressful when your kid is being mean, angry, or aggressive! We often feel really disturbed and lost when we see our child kick the dog, yell at us, try to hit us, or hurt their siblings. For many of us, our first impulse is to be hard on ourselves! We wonder i...

05/10/2022

Welcome to my business page! I'll be sharing resources on mental health, child development, attachment, and parenting every week.

Check out my website to learn more about my therapy practice or book a free consultation: https://safetogrow.org

Compassionate and transformative therapy for children, adults, and families. Learn more about how we can help.