The Active
& Connected Blog
Is Family Therapy Right for Us? Exploring the Benefits and When to Seek Help
Family. It's the foundation on which we build our lives, a source of love, support, and sometimes, frustration. Let's face it, even the closest families go through rough patches. But when these...
When Should My Teenager See a Psychiatrist? A Guide for Parents.
The teenage years are a whirlwind of emotions, physical changes, and social pressures. It's normal for teens to experience occasional mood swings, anxiety, or withdrawal from social activities. But...
Like, Comment, Share: How Does Social Media Affect Teens?
Social media. It's a constant presence in our lives, and for teens, it's often the main avenue for connection, entertainment, and self-expression. But with great selfies comes great responsibility...
Unleashing the Inner Wonder: How to Build Confidence in Your Teenage Daughter
Let's talk teenagers, confidence, and that magical land where they somehow manage to rock the coolest outfit yet convince themselves they look like a walking disaster. (Spoiler alert: they almost...
Practical Mindfulness For Parents: Managing Spring’s Hustle with Moments of Calm
Spring arrives with a vibrant burst, but it also brings a hefty to-do list that can quickly become overwhelming. From relentless yard work to the compulsion to tidy every corner of the house, the...
A Realistic Guide to Surviving Summer with Teenagers
The onset of summer often brings a mixed bag of emotions for parents. While the warm weather invites visions of relaxation and fun, the reality for many is the daunting task of managing their...
The Realities of Parenting Teens with Phones, by Amanda Sovik-Johnston, Ph.D.
My 13-year-old has an iPhone. The reality of that sentence makes me deeply uncomfortable, almost ashamed. It makes me wonder if I’m a fraud. As a child psychologist who focuses on families and...
Workin’ with The Second Row – Amanda Sovik-Johnston, Active & Connected Family Therapy
A&C Family Therapy worked with Matt at The Second Row to help with the rebrand from Virginia Family Therapy to Active and Connected Family Therapy. Matt was such a joy to work with and I am so...
The Power of Small Talk
Let’s teach our kids the power of small talk! Research shows that good-old fashioned chatting and a brief moment of connection with people we don’t know well releases oxytocin and dopamine – our...
Reflections From A Psychologist (11/4/2023): Counting On Kindness For Kids’ Mental Health
We all know there is a mental health crisis out there. We have real numbers that highlight elevated rates of anxiety and depression for kids, teenagers, people of color, men, working mothers. The...
Begin a journey of growth and connection.
Step 1: Fill out the form below to schedule a consult and discover a therapist in Virginia or North Carolina that is a specialized fit for you.
Fostering growth through connection.