HopeStone Counseling PLLC

02/03/2026

Affection can change with teenagers but it is still very important.

A teenager never stops needing affection… they just stop asking for it.

Many parents believe their child no longer wants affection because they no longer seek it. But the truth is, they stop asking because they’ve learned they won’t receive it.

At three years old, they hug you endlessly.
At thirteen, they push you away—but inside, their heart is trembling.

And if, in that moment, you’re not the one who reaches out, if you don’t set your pride aside, if you don’t cross that invisible wall they built out of fear, the bond begins to grow cold.

After an argument, they shut themselves in. You feel hurt and decide not to approach.
But while you wait for them to make the first move, they’re on the other side, staring at the ceiling, carrying a doubt that hurts more than any punishment:
What if they don’t love me like they used to?

Many teenagers seem to reject affection,
but in reality, they don’t know how to receive it without feeling weak.
And many parents pull away out of pride, fear of rejection, or the belief that it’s no longer needed.

But it is needed.
Very much so.

A hug, a brief word, a hand on the shoulder can calm a teenager who feels broken.

It’s not losing authority.
It’s reminding them that even in conflict, love doesn’t disappear.

Because when love is withheld out of pride, it feels like abandonment.
And that abandonment leaves wounds that can last for years.

02/03/2026

Social Work Tools and Resources - Free; Socialworkerstoolbox.com ❤️

02/03/2026

02/03/2026

I'm a BIG fan of encouraging kids to work through conflict on their own. But, in order for that to work, we need to make sure they have the skills to do it.

One way to do that is to teach kids the "3 C's" of conflict resolution: Calm down, Communicate, and Choose a solution.

This process is easy to remember and, with practice, will help kids feel confident in their own problem solving skills!

For more information on the three steps, and how to teach them, visit this post: https://www.counselorchelsey.com/blog/conflictresolutionsteps

02/03/2026

Estrangement is common and often not unwelcome.

02/03/2026

Learn about a confusing diagnosis that can help explain how life feels for some people.

Phttps://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CAVevwfqe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Parenting is tough! Parenting a child with Sensory Processing Disorder, let alone any special need, can be downright exhausting.

TIPS & INSIGHT >>> https://mommyevolution.com/sensory-processing-disorder/

02/03/2026

Great read to be help you be more productive.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19XhhWxC2U/?mibextid=wwXIfr

02/02/2026

This is very helpful to understand a key difference in ADHD and Autism.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DSQT6mhNy/?mibextid=wwXIfrandern

01/15/2026

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition typically diagnosed in childhood. But some people, specifically people assigned female at birth , may go undiagnosed until adulthood.

Traditional estimates find that boys are four times as likely as girls to receive an autism diagnosis. But experts are realizing that almost as many females as males may have autism — recent research shows that nearly 80% of autistic females are undiagnosed as of age 18.

An autism diagnosis can be a relief for many adults. It may explain symptoms they’ve always had but have never been able to explain.

01/15/2026

Being an upstander doesn’t mean jumping into conflict.
It means using your voice in a safe, simple way.

Here are phrases students can actually use:
• “Hey, that’s not okay.”
• “Come on, let’s go.” (Redirect)
• “Leave them alone.”
• “That’s not funny.”
• “Are you okay? Want to talk?”

Small words. Big impact.
Upstanders change school culture; one moment at a time.

11/06/2025

Reflecting on what we are grateful and thankful for has a therapeutic benefit. During the month of November we often reflect on what we are thankful for as we celebrate Thanksgiving. Stop by HopeStone Counseling and add a leaf or leaves to our Grateful Tree.

11/06/2025

HopeStone Counseling participated in the Pink Chair Project and painting the town PINK! Together we raised $10,120.00 for Cancer Services of Davidson County. Great things happen when communities come together!