A child with a history of neglect comes to the therapist’s office and will not speak. A mother who is overwhelmed with grief comes to the therapist’s office and cannot talk through her tears. A teenager comes to the therapist’s office and does not say a word. He is only in counseling because a judge …
Communicating Without Words: Sand Tray in Therapy Read More »
Here at ChildSavers, I provide outpatient mental health services to our clients and families. Most of my clients are Black youth being raised by Black mothers and grandmothers. Often I see a pattern in many of these women which can be described as the Black Superwoman Complex or the Strong Black Woman narrative. In the …
According to the National Center for Voice and Speech, the average conversation rate for English speakers in the United States is about 150 wpm. Wow! We have an incredible opportunity to help build up a family member, co-worker, or child each time we interact with them by choosing positive, powerful words. Doing so builds resilience …
I am excited to talk to you all this month about Black storytelling and its healing power. We’ve talked in previous cultural competency blogs about the importance of using books about Black culture when working with a Black child. Today we will talk about the power of Black storytelling, no matter who the reader is. …
Have you ever tried grocery shopping with a hungry child? Adults have a lot on their minds. Deadlines, bills, job stress, phone calls, traffic, and news stories. All this can lead adult minds to focus on the future. Children, on the other hand, focus on the present. They are constantly exploring their world, primarily through …
Pierre Greene is a Community Board member at ChildSavers and the Pastor at Poplar Mount Baptist Church. He is deeply involved in the community and his life experiences in childhood inspired him to serve others. In this blog, Pierre shared his story of trauma, resilience, and the people and things that helped him rise above …
This April is the 22nd annual National Poetry Month. Two clinicians, Bob Nickles and CasSandra Calin, from Mental Health Services (MHS) at ChildSavers teamed up to share their perspectives. They shared that they believe children live in a world of symbols and speak with real voices. In this way, children and adolescents can be poets …
In March, we celebrate National Nutrition Month and the National Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP). ChildSavers is an administrator of this program to child care providers in Central Virginia. Last year, we provided more than 1,600 children in our region with nutritious meals. This initiative combats hunger and provides healthy meals to children and …
Did you know children learn to share around age seven? Sharing is an important part of our work. When you share your time, treasure, and talent, you provide a safe space for children to share their stories and thrive. Remember, resilient people don’t go through life alone. Children become resilient because they have a nurturing, …
“Every child deserves a champion-an adult who will never give up on them. Who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” Rita Pierson Every child deserves a champion. This is somewhat different from a mentor who we wrote about in a previous blog. A …
