Courageous Counseling Colorado, PLLC

12/04/2025

We’re excited to offer this Mindfulness Group for middle schoolers!

Email us at info@denverplaytherapist.com to reserve your spot!

12/02/2025

Screens aren’t the enemy — but balance matters. Many parents are unsure what 'healthy screen time' actually looks like for different ages. This visual breaks it down simply, so you can make informed choices that support your child’s wellbeing.

Remember: it’s not just how long a child is online, but how they’re using screens, how regulated they are before and after, and how supported they feel in between.

Use this guide as a starting point, not a strict rulebook — every young person’s needs are different.
What feels realistic for your family right now?

11/29/2025

It takes the body time to calm — not just a few deep breaths.

When a child is overwhelmed, their nervous system can take 20–60 minutes to fully settle after a surge of stress hormones. A heightened sense of justice (more common in neurodivergent children) can drive the chemical changes for longer). That’s why calm can’t be rushed. They need safety, patience and connection — not pressure to “get over it.”

Understanding this is at the heart of brain-based parenting. Regulation isn’t instant; it’s built through co-regulation and trust.

This also demonstrates why a child needs longer than 5 minutes out of class after an incident.

There is a full range of calming strategy prompts in our toolkit below.

NOW AVAILABLE IN THE RESOURCE STORE - to accompany our series on social media.

The Child Brain Explained: How the Upstairs & Downstairs Brain Shape Behaviour, a Toolkit for Parents & Educators - available for only £3.75 until 3 November 2025

Electronic download available at link in comments ⬇️ or via our Linktree Shop in Bio.

11/29/2025

If you’ve ever found yourself mid-lecture, wondering how you got there — you’re not alone.
In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to slip into long explanations, over-talking, and trying to get a child to understand right now.

But here’s the truth: children don’t learn from lectures.
They learn from reflection — and reflection only happens when both adult and child feel safe, calm, and connected.

Guiding a child through reflection can actually help you deregulate too.
It slows the moment down, reduces the pressure to “fix it immediately,” and shifts the focus from frustration to understanding.

You start to see the why behind their reactions — the feelings, needs, and overwhelm that drove the behaviour.
And when the adult feels calmer, the child’s nervous system follows.

If you’d like structured reflection prompts, co-regulation strategies, and guides for tricky moments, they’re all inside my Managing Big Feelings Toolkit. Find it via the link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

Follow for more on reflection, consequences, and brain-based parenting this week.

11/29/2025

11/29/2025

11/24/2025

As we enter summer, the school holidays and Christmas, just remember that social engagement can be exhausting for our young people and that they may not have the energy for being around people.

There's nothing wrong with them wanting to recharge in their comfort space. :)

11/20/2025

There are many resources and events in our community for families coming up. Please share!

11/18/2025

So many parents ask why their child seems fine all day but unravels the second they get home. The answer lies in safety, connection, and how the brain processes stress — this visual explains it clearly.

Full After-School Restraint Collapse Toolkit available via the link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

11/16/2025

Emotional support is an increasingly common reason people turn to AI chatbots and wellness apps, but these tools currently lack the scientific evidence and the necessary regulations to ensure users’ safety.

See areas of concern and science-backed recommendations from our new health advisory: https://at.apa.org/9d13ad

11/16/2025

World kindness day every day!

11/16/2025

The colorful leaves—and temperatures—may be dropping, but that doesn’t mean fall is over. If you’re like us, you want to soak up every Five fall activities in Denver and beyond.