The Child and Family Counseling Center of Westlake

02/04/2026

As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s a reminder that love shows up in many forms—including caring for your mental health. At The Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake, we support acts of self-care such as setting boundaries, slowing down, practicing self-compassion, and reaching out for support. Small, intentional steps toward well-being matter, and they deserve space and care. 💕

02/03/2026

A soft touch, a calm tone of voice, or your simple presence can be enough to co-regulate your child’s nervous system.

If you’ve ever been told to “send them to calm down” and it didn’t sit right with you — this is why.
Children don’t learn regulation through isolation. They learn it through connection. Through an adult who stays close, steady, and calm enough for them to borrow that calm until their own nervous system can catch up. This isn’t about spoiling or rescuing. It’s about building the brain skills that make self-regulation possible.

01/29/2026

As daylight decreases, many children and adults notice changes in mood, energy, and motivation. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real and treatable form of depression that often appears during fall and winter months.

If you or your child are experiencing these changes, you don’t have to navigate them alone. Support and effective care are available.

01/27/2026

Stress is a part of life—but when it starts to feel overwhelming, support can make a difference. Therapy offers a space to slow down, build coping tools, and feel more grounded before burnout takes over. If this resonates, help is available. 💜

01/21/2026

✨ Wellness Wednesday Spotlight ✨

Meet Laya Bankston (she/her), a proud Cleveland native and graduate of Cleveland State University’s School of Social Work. Laya is passionate about supporting children, teens, young adults, and families as they navigate life’s challenges and move toward healing.

Laya specializes in trauma-focused care, blending mindfulness, strengths-based strategies, and narrative techniques to foster resilience. She partners closely with clients and families to create a collaborative, affirming space where individuals can build coping skills, process trauma, and navigate emotional, relational, and life-transition challenges.

Her work is grounded in cultural humility, affirming LGBTQ+ identities, and honoring clients as the experts of their own lives. With experience across school and hospital settings, Laya has supported families through trauma, foster care transitions, medical stress, anxiety, and parent-child dynamics.

Trained in CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Laya also incorporates play therapy, attachment-based, and relational approaches—meeting each client where they are and empowering them through individualized, strengths-based support.

Outside the therapy room, Laya enjoys hiking Northeast Ohio’s trails, collecting rare houseplants, and getting lost in a good thriller 📚🌿

01/19/2026

Setting intentions helps us move forward with compassion, not perfection. At Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake, we believe meaningful change begins with self-kindness, reflection, and intentional choices that support emotional well-being. If you’re ready to take that next step, we’re here to support you.

01/14/2026

Meet Nicole Phelps this Wellness Wednesday 💚

Nicole has several years of experience working in community behavioral health, providing trauma-informed mental health services to children, families, and refugee populations. She integrates evidence-based therapeutic approaches including Gestalt Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Multi-Systemic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to support each client’s individual needs.

Her clinical areas of focus include post-traumatic stress disorder, complex trauma, trauma and abuse, bereavement and grief, stress management, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, mood disorders, and behavioral disorders.

In addition to her clinical work, Nicole has conducted trauma-based research in collaboration with mental health and healthcare organizations and academic institutions throughout Northeast Ohio, including Frontline Services, Kent State University, Case Western Reserve University, and Cleveland State University.

01/09/2026

January doesn’t have to mean pressure or big resolutions.

At The Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake, we encourage starting with one gentle intention—something realistic and supportive of where you are right now.

We’re here when you need support.

12/31/2025

Happy New Year from our team at the Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake!

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake!

12/21/2025

Small, yet powerful actions can help you regulate your system this holiday season.
😌

Taking care of your mental well-being goes beyond just relaxation techniques—it’s about taking small, yet powerful actions to soothe your nervous system. From the calming effects of hugs to the stress-relief of yoga and laughter, there are countless natural ways to find peace in your day. These practices don’t just benefit the mind, but can rejuvenate your body and soul as well.

Engaging in grounding activities like walking barefoot on grass or pet therapy can reconnect us to the Earth and offer relief from stress. Whether it's cold exposure or simply practicing deep breathing, your nervous system can find its balance naturally.

These free regulators are powerful tools that anyone can incorporate into their life. Embrace these holistic practices for a calmer, healthier you.🌸🧘‍♀️

12/17/2025

This Wellness Wednesday, we’re proud to spotlight Dr. Hussain, a valued member of our clinical team at The Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake.

Dr. Hussain specializes in treating children and adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders, including ADHD, ODD, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and bipolar disorders. He provides comprehensive care through a combination of medication management and psychotherapy, and also works with adult patients.

Dr. Hussain emphasizes the importance of intentionally setting aside quality time each day to be fully present with the people who matter most. For him, spending time playing and interacting with his baby granddaughter brings joy, grounding, and a sense of connection that helps him stay centered.

He shares that being present in these moments—without distractions—allows him to feel more balanced and emotionally regulated, which in turn helps him show up more fully for his family and his patients. This daily practice of connection supports his overall well-being and reinforces the value of slowing down and prioritizing meaningful relationships.

As a psychiatrist who works with both children and adults, Dr. Hussain encourages everyone to find small, consistent ways to build presence and connection into their daily routine as part of a healthy wellness practice.