Holistic Health

I am a firm believer in a holistic approach to health, meaning that we have to tie both the physical and mental aspects of health together to have the desire result - a healthy, whole child. Children in today's world are experiencing a whole new set of stresses that in the past were not usually thought to be a part of a child's life. No longer is a family made up of two parents with only their children, today, a child's family might consist of grandparents, or a single parent, or divorced parents with stepparents and stepbrothers and sisters. Children seem to be on their own more often and at an earlier age. Choices about the use of drugs, alcohol or cigarettes, becoming sexually active, who to "hang out with," or keeping a curfew can produce stress and uncertainty. There are pressures related to school, such as achieving academically, participating in sports or other after school activities, being part of the "right crowd," or having enough money to maintain the desired social status. All these things can seem to come crashing down on a student, even all at once. The availability of a school psychologist allows the student a place to talk and express him/herself without fear of judgement being given while being confident of confidentiality. Concerns of a student might range from getting a good grade on a test, distress over parents divorcing, not getting along with another person, to, feeling like life is not worth living, with expressed suicidal thoughts.