Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Slinky, flexible mindset

Faults in Our Stars: Developing a Flexible Mindset for Ourselves and Our Children

Posted on by Annalise

One of our main objectives at CBT Westport is working together with kids and their parents to achieve a growth and flexible mindset.  As part of this objective, we practice taking risks and learning how to tolerate mistakes.

Professor Thomas Curran, an Assistant Professor of psychological and Behavioral Sciences at the London School of Economics, views perfectionism as a relational trait rather than an individual trait.  This makes sense when we are treating children and adolescents who oftentimes look to their environment (home, school, sports team, parent/coach/teacher) as a conduit to his/her/their perfectionism.

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Anger and anxiety

Are you Angry? Or Anxious?

Posted on by Annalise

Anxiety and anger are two distinct emotions that provide us information about ourselves and our environment. While they are different, there are several ways that they can interact.

Anxiety is the worry or fear that is felt in response to a perceived threat. The hallmark symptoms are: bodily tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes. Anxiety is often in response to feeling out of control. While too much anxiety can be paralyzing, studies show that mild to moderate anxiety can sometimes serve as a catalyst for making a change or getting things done.

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Social Anxiety

A Guide to Social Anxiety for Gen Z

Posted on by Annalise

Members of Generation Z include people who were born between 1995 and 2010. Sandwiched between Millennials and Generation Alpha, Gen Z individuals are growing up in a time of uncertainty and stress. This generation is also significantly more likely than other generations to report negative mental health according to a recent survey by the APA. One of the major types of mental health struggles that Gen Z is having a hard time with is Social Anxiety.

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On the field

Back to School and Back On the Field

Posted on by Annalise

As children and teens head back to the classroom, many are also heading back to the field, the gridiron, the court or the rink.

It is important for parents and coaches to familiarize themselves with the difference between helpful and unhelpful stress and anxiety as it relates to performance in sport.

Student athletes feel tremendous pressure both in and out of the classroom.  Awareness and open, positive engagement is key in helping kids manage their anxiety in a variety of competitive situations.

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solving social struggles picture

A Parents’ Guide to Kids & Teens Social Struggles

Posted on by Annalise

Watching your child or teenager be rejected or experience unkindness can be incredibly painful and anxiety-producing.  We want our children to fit in, to be liked and appreciated for who they are, and to feel a sense of belonging.  When social problems arise, we can react in different ways: feeling overwhelmed, feeling worried that our child will suffer or things will only get worse, or becoming critical of our teen or their friends. Our efforts to control the situation can backfire and lead our kids to feel unsupported.  When this happens, kids tend to stop sharing their bumps in life with us (for fear we can’t handle it).

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