The Advice Corner: Talking with teens about sex, drinking, and drugs without pushing them away

Posted 2 weeks ago

This month's question: How do I talk to my teen about sex, drinking, and drugs without pushing them away? Nikole Slocum, MS, LPCC, JFCS Therapist: A lot of parents think they need to have this huge, serious[...]

Mental Health Awareness Month an opportunity to make sure we are practicing self-care

Posted 3 weeks ago

By Mark Kaufman, MSW, LICSW • JFCS Therapist May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we continue to live in a world that exposes us to trauma, heartbreak, and fear. The intersectionality of anti-Semitism, [...]

Welcome to our new Counseling team members

Posted 2 months ago

By Angela Cowan • Counseling Program Manager Over the past six months, the Counseling team at Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minnesota has added some new faces to the team. In September, we welcom[...]

Out of the office and into the outdoors: Nature-based Therapy

Posted 2 months ago

By Tara Burns, LPCC • JFCS Therapist Nature-based Therapy is an approach to counseling that brings therapy outdoors, combining conversation, gentle movement, and time in nature. Rather than meeting only in a[...]

The Advice Corner: How do I support my anxious child without feeding into their fears?

Posted 2 months ago

No one wants to reinforce their child’s fear of monsters under the bed, but we do want them to feel heard and supported. How do we thread that needle? This month’s question tackles how parents can support the[...]

The Advice Corner: How do I prepare my child for summer camp?

Posted 3 months ago

Summer camp can be an exciting experience, full of new opportunities, new friendships, and new skills. Parents sending their child to summer camp for the first time may find themselves wonderi[...]

JFCS offering caregiving, grief online support groups

Posted 4 months ago

JFCS’ recent uniting with Jewish Family Service of St. Paul (JFS) has allowed us to offer many of its ongoing programming to the entire community. This includes JFS’ long-running caregiver and grief online su[...]

The Advice Corner: How can I help my children feel safe and not scared during this uncertain time?

Posted 4 months ago

This month’s question: “The world feels so unhinged, every day a new devastating challenge. How can I help my children feel safe and not scared during this uncertain time?” Dori Gelfman, Education and Le[...]

The Advice Corner: How do I talk with my teen about suicide?

Posted 6 months ago

This month’s question: How do I talk with my teen about suicide? Nikole Slocum, MS, LPCC, JFCS Therapist: Talking with your teen about suicide might feel like one of the hardest conversations you’ll eve[...]

The Advice Corner: My adult child is struggling with mental health – what should I do?

Posted 7 months ago

This month’s question: Seeing your adult child struggle with mental illness can feel overwhelming and upsetting; you may be left wondering, what can I do to help? Angela Cowan, MSW, LICSW, Counseling Program[...]