PlayWorks Individual and Family Therapy

05/06/2026

A big factor in why we are seeing mental health issues at a much younger age, the issues are more resistant to change, and why the increase in teen depression and anxiety.

Several countries are stepping up to protect their younger generation’s mental health by restricting access to social media for children under 16. Denmark, Australia, and Greece are taking proactive steps to shield young brains from the overwhelming effects of excessive screen time.

Research has shown that teens who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media apps are at a significantly higher risk of developing anxiety and depression. The reason? Social media can overload the brain’s emotional regulation system, hindering the ability to cope with stress, peer pressure, and self-image issues.

These nations are prioritizing well-being over market growth, recognizing that while social media platforms are powerful tools for connection, they can also harm young people’s mental health if left unchecked.

This shift is an important reminder that protecting mental health is just as critical as technological progress. As parents and guardians, it’s essential to understand the impact that excessive screen time can have on the developing brain.

05/06/2026

How to co- regulate with your child.

Credit:

05/06/2026

Studies show less often leads to more happiness. Some of the happiest kids are ones with less stuff and more creative outdoor opportunities.

05/02/2026

We have a few openings for yoga Monday night at PlayWorks. No charge but you must be registered with me. Come relax, take a breath, and connect with yourself through soft stretching and body awareness.

05/02/2026

This is why so important to talk about things.

When your body stores emotional pain in a physical form, this looks like:
• constant back, neck, or shoulder pain that comes and goes
• migraines or tension headaches
• unexplained muscle stiffness or tightness
• muscles spasms
• nerve pain, tingling, or burning sensations
• digestive issues
• extreme fatigue, even after sleeping
• flare-ups of symptoms with no clear medical explanation
• feeling physically tense or "on edge" all the time

These physical symptoms are very real.
They're just being driven by your nervous system, not a physical injury or structural issue.

It can be frustrating to hear that something so physical is connected to something emotional (especially if you've spent years searching for a physical cause).
But understanding this connection is a huge step forward in your ability to heal because it means you finally have a way to heal from it.

Once you release your suppressed emotions and pent-up stress, your nervous system learns that it doesn't need to create physical pain to protect you, and the tension, fatigue, and discomfort that once felt endless will finally start to subside.

05/02/2026

Help for grief you maybe feeling with Mothers Day approaching.

Join David Kessler for two free discussions about Grief & Mother's Day. Because we know this day can be challenging when you're missing a mother or a child, David will share helpful tips for navigating Mother's Day.

05/01/2026

May is mental health month. Mental health is how we feel about ourselves and the world around us. It’s how we are functioning and handling life. It can affect our relationships, jobs, physical health, and all areas of our lives. That’s why it’s important to take care of you. Believe in you. Believe in your value and worth. Use that as your compass to navigate life.

05/01/2026

🧠 Your brain can change—and that matters for trauma recovery.

A recent study in Molecular Psychiatry found that neurogenesis (the growth of new brain cells) can help reduce PTSD-like behaviors.

🔬 What the research showed (in simple terms):

When new neurons were generated in the hippocampus (the part of the brain tied to memory and emotion):
👉 fear responses decreased
👉 trauma-related behaviors improved
👉 brain circuits began to reorganize

💡 Why this matters:

This suggests that the brain is not fixed after trauma—
👉 it has the ability to adapt, rewire, and recover.

⚠️ Important context:

This study was conducted in animal models,
but it adds to growing evidence that:
• the brain remains plastic in adulthood
• recovery is biologically possible
• interventions that support brain health may matter more than we think

🛡️ What supports neurogenesis (based on broader research):

✔️ Physical activity
✔️ Sleep
✔️ Stress regulation
✔️ Learning and new experiences

👉 The takeaway:

Trauma can change the brain—
but the brain can also change after trauma.

And that’s where hope lives.

🔗 Read the study:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02585-7

04/29/2026

As always Linda did a fantastic job tonight. We will have another class next Monday 6:00. Please register if you would like to come. No cost. Take time to reconnect and find some peace.

Another lovely evening at a snail's pace. Learning to slow down is a worthwhile and rewarding journey.

04/27/2026

Our annual ND APT conference. Amy and I will be talking about tribes, culture, history/intergenerational trauma, working with families and giving specific cultural play therapy activities for individuals and families. Please share any information you feel should be included. Can always DM me. Hope to see you there.

Introducing our Day 3 speakers:
Tina Nordaune, MS, LCSW, CTS, CFRC, EPT/C RPT-S and Amy Ham, MS, LPC/LPCC-S

They will be presenting on Integrating Native American Culture in Play Therapy Practice

To learn more and join Tina & Amy visit our website👇
https://playtherapynd.com/conference

04/27/2026

Dr Bessel van der Kolk, leading expert in the trauma field and author of “The Body Keeps the Score,” and I hanging out in Virginia Beach a few years ago. Meeting and talking to him was a great professional moment!

04/25/2026

PlayWorks is at “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes”today! Come see us and all the other vendors. Enjoy your Saturday.