Advice from Our Professionals

Informative articles by Youth First Social Workers

Is Your Child Feeling Anxious?

By Christine Weinzapfel-Hayden, MSW, LCSW, Youth First, Inc. Children are creatures of habit. They thrive in calm, consistent, predictable environments. When there is change for them, or even when they have the anticipation of change,…

Cell Phones: What are the Dangers for Your Child?

By Dawn Tedrow, MSW, LCSW, Youth First, Inc. When I was younger, my parents knew who my friends were. They knew their parents, when I would be at their house, and what time I would be returning. If I decided to walk to a different friend’s…

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

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By Ashley Underwood, MSW, LCSW, Youth First, Inc. How does one describe a traumatic event? Traumatic is defined as “emotionally disturbing or distressing,” which can vary from person to person, so that question has many answers. “Adverse…

Developing Resiliency in Children

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By Niki Walls, MSW, LSW, Youth First, Inc. Resiliency is something many of our children utilize unknowingly every day. So, what exactly is resiliency? Resiliency is building immunity to stressors and adversity; or in other words, the…

Handling the Terrible Twos

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By Sarah Audu, MSW, LSW, Youth First, Inc. It seems all new parents are warned about the much-dreaded “terrible twos.” I have reflected upon my own journey as a new mom and have given this phrase much thought and consideration. Throughout…

Holiday Stress and Your Anxious Child

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By Brooke Skipper, MSW, LCSW, Youth First, Inc. No school, sweet treats, presents, and parties…You might think this is every kid’s dream! If you have a child with anxiety, however, you know this combination can be a huge trigger. While…