The arrival of a new school year brings a familiar mix of energy and anxiety. Store shelves fill with crisp notebooks, social media feeds flood with "first day" photos, and children experience a swirling combination of excitement and dread. As a mental health therapist specializing in school-aged children, I see a common pattern this time of year. Parents and kids often start the term with an overwhelming list of high-stakes resolutions: “I’m going to get straight A’s,” “I’m

School anxiety during the return-to-school season is a normal and manageable stress response that many school-aged teens face as summer ends. Transitioning from the relaxed pace of summer back to early mornings, academic pressure, and social dynamics can overwhelm even resilient teens. As an adolescent psychotherapist, I see this pattern every year. Here is how to understand and manage this stress. Why Back-to-School Anxiety Happens Loss of control: Teens trade the freedom of

Parents often wonder when they should begin talking to children about internet safety, body safety, and puberty. Our answer is simple: You don't need to tell young children everything. But you don't have to wait until they're older to start. The conversations we have when children are 5, 6, 7, or 8 create the foundation for the much more complicated conversations we'll need to have when they're 11, 13, or 16. For younger children, the goal isn't to teach them about every dang

There was a time when preparing a child for middle school meant talking about puberty, friendships, peer pressure, and maybe reminding them not to talk to strangers. The world our kids are growing up in is different. As children move through the preteen years, many begin communicating more independently through games, group chats, messaging apps, shared videos, and other online spaces. Even children who don't have social media accounts of their own are likely to encounter onl

As the school supplies fill the shelves and calendars begin to fill with orientation dates, many parents notice a shift in their student. Sleep becomes more difficult. Stomachaches appear. Conversations about school become shorter—or more emotional. Some teens withdraw. Others become irritable. A few begin asking if they really have to go back. For families who have experienced school refusal, these signs can feel terrifying. As a therapist specializing in adolescents, I want

Lea is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Anacortes Psych & Wellness serving individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan.

Throughout the past decade, mental health has been a very common topic of conversation yet many misconceptions and myths prevent individuals from seeking help and support. Mental Health stigmas can create feelings of shame, fear, embarrassment, and make it harder to have access to therapeutic services. Being aware of the stigmas and myths is extremely important as they can act as barriers to support. Understanding the facts rather than the myths about mental health can empowe

June is Post-Traumatic Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding of trauma and the ways it can continue affecting people long after a difficult experience has ended. What is PTSD? PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is the diagnostic term used by mental health professionals to describe a collection of symptoms that can develop following exposure to traumatic experiences. The diagnosis appears in both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manu

What if one of your most important responsibilities is making time for play? In this uplifting blog post, Nicole Casper explores how joy, creativity, and moments of lightheartedness can improve emotional well-being, reduce stress, and help us reconnect with ourselves in meaningful ways.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) has emerged as a promising option for individuals who feel stuck in patterns of depression, anxiety, trauma, or emotional overwhelm... especially when traditional approaches haven’t brought the relief they hoped for. While many people are curious about the immediate effects of KAP, another important question often comes up: What does healing look like in the long run? At Anacortes Psych & Wellness, we don’t view ketamine-assisted psychoth

If you’re here because things feel heavy, I’m really glad you found your way to this page. You might be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, numb, or exhausted. You might feel like anything is going to change. Or like the pain has been going on for too long. You might even be thinking: “I can’t keep doing this.” “I just want this to stop.” “I don’t see a way out.” If that’s where you are, there is nothing wrong with you for feeling this way. These thoughts often show up when someon

Our community recently experienced an immense loss. Two trailblazing female Naval Aviators lost their lives in a Growler crash. While we...

In our fast-paced world, prioritizing mental health is crucial so we can be present for ourselves and those around us. With the growing...

School anxiety is a common issue that many teens face, impacting their emotional well-being and academic success. Therapy can be a...