Best Life Therapy Blogs - Grief, Anxiety, Stress & More
- posted: Aug. 10, 2025
Back-to-School Reset: Supporting Your Teen Through Change, Anxiety, and Healing
Blog post written by Vicky Alvarez, Clinical Therapist and CEO of Best Life Therapy
As the school year approaches, many families are beginning to feel the shift—earlier mornings, packed schedules, and the emotional ripple that comes with returning to routine. For some kids, this transition is exciting. For others, especially those with a history of anxiety, depression, academic or behavioral challenges, and those who have been bullied, it can feel overwhelming, even scary. Sometimes with children this comes out in the form of a huge meltdown in the aisle of Target because they can’t find the perfect backpack or their favorite color notebook. With teens, we often see increased isolation, difficulty sleeping and a lack of interest in things they used to enjoy.
If your child/teen struggled last year—felt isolated, anxious, depressed, or unsafe—this season may stir up more than just nerves. It might bring back memories they haven’t fully processed. Being able to name their feelings is an important part of developing self-awareness. Therapy can help youth learn to name their emotions and help them to see that it is okay to have strong emotions. Being able to use their words or even journal writing to express their fears, frustrations, anger, or other emotions is an important step toward problem-solving and healing.
At Best Life Therapy, we believe that change is possible—even for kids/teens who’ve been through tough seasons. For some, growing up seems easy. They accept the fact that things will not always be perfect, but they move on from it. Challenges are viewed as opportunities for success. For others, negative thoughts play on repeat. Some brains seem like they are hard-wired to think of the worst-case scenario for everything. The more we dwell on what is not going well, the worse we feel. Doing nothing about those thought patterns isn’t always the best way to handle that. When we don’t address worries and sadness, we can put ourselves or our children at risk for the development of worsening symptoms. Anxiety can turn into panic attacks. Sadness can turn into major depression. There are some things that parents can do to support their child/teen.
What Parents Can Do
- Validate First, Problem-Solve Later
If they share their worries about returning to school, resist the urge to fix it right away. Parents are great at solving problems but if we tell them what to do right away without expressing empathy first, they are less likely to listen to anything we have to say. When you meet them with empathy, they feel heard and are open to receiving support. Say things like: “That sounds hard. I’m so glad you told me.” - Create a Safe Space for Conversation
Make emotional check-ins part of your routine. Ask questions like:
“How are you feeling about the upcoming school year?”
“What’s something you’re nervous about?”
“What would help you feel safer this year?”
“Is there anything you wish your teacher or school knew?”
- Revisit Last Year’s Pain with Care
If bullying or anxiety were part of your child’s experience, gently acknowledge it. You might say:
“Last year was tough. I want this year to feel different. Let’s talk about what you need. "Sometimes we behave as though it is not an issue. Parents may be thinking that if they ask, it could bring up issues. That is usually not going to make things worse. If they are worried, they are likely already thinking about all of it. Helping them move toward solutions is something that parents can do. - Speak Positively About the School and Your Child
Young people take emotional cues from their parents. If you speak with hope and trust about the school, your child/teen is more likely to believe that the adults there can help. A problem-solving mindset—rather than criticism—can make all the difference in how safe they feel. - Partner with the School
Reach out to teachers, counselors, or administrators before the first day if they are in elementary school/middle school. Let them know your child is managing some emotional challenges and share what’s helped in the past if they don’t know. Ask: “What supports are available if my child feels overwhelmed?” or “Can we create a plan together to help them feel safe? "Schools often have resources—quiet spaces, check-ins, peer support—that can make a big difference. Some teens struggle with self-advocacy and may need a parents help with this. Teaching a teenager how to navigate this and allowing them time and space to do so can help improve their self-confidence. - Practice Patience and Perspective
It’s important to remember: the adult to child ratio at school can make it difficult for educators to juggle multiple needs. While your child’s experience is deeply personal, collaboration with schools works best when it’s grounded in empathy. As a mental health outpatient therapist who previously worked as a school social worker in several districts, I’ve seen firsthand how hard teachers, counselors, and school administrators work. More support is needed in most schools which seems to be a fact that many parents and educators likely agree on but with patience, it is possible to work together to put some supports in place. - Know You’re Not Alone
Emotions can be a challenge during the teen years. In 2025, nearly 40% of U.S. high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, and 20% had seriously considered suicide (CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2025). Anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm are more common than many parents realize. It is okay to seek out therapy for your child. Having two offices in Genesee County is helpful especially if you have a teen that is nervous about walking into a mental health practice in their hometown. Involve them in the process by having them look at our website with you. They can check out the TEAM page and select the therapist who they feel they will be able to work best with. - Therapy Can Bridge the Gap
Therapy gives kids a space to process emotions, build confidence, and learn tools to navigate school stress. It also helps parents feel supported in guiding their child through change.
Ready to Begin Again?
Whether your child is facing social anxiety, recovering from bullying, or needs help adjusting to change, therapy can be a powerful reset. At Best Life Therapy, we work with young people on emotional resilience, managing stress, anxiety, and depression, and assist them in developing skills needed to navigate challenging situations.
At Best Life Therapy, we support parents, too—because your well-being matters just as much. If a therapist is working with your teen and you need your own individual support, we have several therapists who can support you. It might even be possible for your teen and you to schedule appointments at the same time so you both receive support. Sometimes family therapy is necessary. Our therapists can help with that as well.
Visit our website online at https://bestlifetherapy.net. You can learn more about our therapists by checking out the Team page. Take a moment to view the insurance we accept. We’re in the process of credentialing with at least 5 additional insurance companies. If you don’t see your insurance listed, check back or reach out to us to be added to our waitlist. When you’re ready to set up an appointment, click on the “Schedule an Appointment Now” button on the homepage of our website. Clients can also call during business hours, 810-771-3457 to schedule. Let’s make this school year one of healing, growth, and emotional safety. When students feel safe and supported, they can focus more on learning.
- posted: Aug. 10, 2025
Back-to-School Reset: Supporting Your Teen Through Change, Anxiety, and Healing
Blog post written by Vicky Alvarez, Clinical Therapist and CEO of Best Life Therapy
As the school year approaches, many families are beginning to feel the shift—earlier mornings, packed schedules, and the emotional ripple that comes with returning to routine. For some kids, this transition is exciting. For others, especially those with a history of anxiety, depression, academic or behavioral challenges, and those who have been bullied, it can feel overwhelming, even scary. Sometimes with children this comes out in the form of a huge meltdown in the aisle of Target because they can’t find the perfect backpack or their favorite color notebook. With teens, we often see increased isolation, difficulty sleeping and a lack of interest in things they used to enjoy.
If your child/teen struggled last year—felt isolated, anxious, depressed, or unsafe—this season may stir up more than just nerves. It might bring back memories they haven’t fully processed. Being able to name their feelings is an important part of developing self-awareness. Therapy can help youth learn to name their emotions and help them to see that it is okay to have strong emotions. Being able to use their words or even journal writing to express their fears, frustrations, anger, or other emotions is an important step toward problem-solving and healing.
At Best Life Therapy, we believe that change is possible—even for kids/teens who’ve been through tough seasons. For some, growing up seems easy. They accept the fact that things will not always be perfect, but they move on from it. Challenges are viewed as opportunities for success. For others, negative thoughts play on repeat. Some brains seem like they are hard-wired to think of the worst-case scenario for everything. The more we dwell on what is not going well, the worse we feel. Doing nothing about those thought patterns isn’t always the best way to handle that. When we don’t address worries and sadness, we can put ourselves or our children at risk for the development of worsening symptoms. Anxiety can turn into panic attacks. Sadness can turn into major depression. There are some things that parents can do to support their child/teen.
What Parents Can Do
- Validate First, Problem-Solve Later
If they share their worries about returning to school, resist the urge to fix it right away. Parents are great at solving problems but if we tell them what to do right away without expressing empathy first, they are less likely to listen to anything we have to say. When you meet them with empathy, they feel heard and are open to receiving support. Say things like: “That sounds hard. I’m so glad you told me.” - Create a Safe Space for Conversation
Make emotional check-ins part of your routine. Ask questions like:
“How are you feeling about the upcoming school year?”
“What’s something you’re nervous about?”
“What would help you feel safer this year?”
“Is there anything you wish your teacher or school knew?”
- Revisit Last Year’s Pain with Care
If bullying or anxiety were part of your child’s experience, gently acknowledge it. You might say:
“Last year was tough. I want this year to feel different. Let’s talk about what you need. "Sometimes we behave as though it is not an issue. Parents may be thinking that if they ask, it could bring up issues. That is usually not going to make things worse. If they are worried, they are likely already thinking about all of it. Helping them move toward solutions is something that parents can do. - Speak Positively About the School and Your Child
Young people take emotional cues from their parents. If you speak with hope and trust about the school, your child/teen is more likely to believe that the adults there can help. A problem-solving mindset—rather than criticism—can make all the difference in how safe they feel. - Partner with the School
Reach out to teachers, counselors, or administrators before the first day if they are in elementary school/middle school. Let them know your child is managing some emotional challenges and share what’s helped in the past if they don’t know. Ask: “What supports are available if my child feels overwhelmed?” or “Can we create a plan together to help them feel safe? "Schools often have resources—quiet spaces, check-ins, peer support—that can make a big difference. Some teens struggle with self-advocacy and may need a parents help with this. Teaching a teenager how to navigate this and allowing them time and space to do so can help improve their self-confidence. - Practice Patience and Perspective
It’s important to remember: the adult to child ratio at school can make it difficult for educators to juggle multiple needs. While your child’s experience is deeply personal, collaboration with schools works best when it’s grounded in empathy. As a mental health outpatient therapist who previously worked as a school social worker in several districts, I’ve seen firsthand how hard teachers, counselors, and school administrators work. More support is needed in most schools which seems to be a fact that many parents and educators likely agree on but with patience, it is possible to work together to put some supports in place. - Know You’re Not Alone
Emotions can be a challenge during the teen years. In 2025, nearly 40% of U.S. high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, and 20% had seriously considered suicide (CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2025). Anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm are more common than many parents realize. It is okay to seek out therapy for your child. Having two offices in Genesee County is helpful especially if you have a teen that is nervous about walking into a mental health practice in their hometown. Involve them in the process by having them look at our website with you. They can check out the TEAM page and select the therapist who they feel they will be able to work best with. - Therapy Can Bridge the Gap
Therapy gives kids a space to process emotions, build confidence, and learn tools to navigate school stress. It also helps parents feel supported in guiding their child through change.
Ready to Begin Again?
Whether your child is facing social anxiety, recovering from bullying, or needs help adjusting to change, therapy can be a powerful reset. At Best Life Therapy, we work with young people on emotional resilience, managing stress, anxiety, and depression, and assist them in developing skills needed to navigate challenging situations.
At Best Life Therapy, we support parents, too—because your well-being matters just as much. If a therapist is working with your teen and you need your own individual support, we have several therapists who can support you. It might even be possible for your teen and you to schedule appointments at the same time so you both receive support. Sometimes family therapy is necessary. Our therapists can help with that as well.
Visit our website online at https://bestlifetherapy.net. You can learn more about our therapists by checking out the Team page. Take a moment to view the insurance we accept. We’re in the process of credentialing with at least 5 additional insurance companies. If you don’t see your insurance listed, check back or reach out to us to be added to our waitlist. When you’re ready to set up an appointment, click on the “Schedule an Appointment Now” button on the homepage of our website. Clients can also call during business hours, 810-771-3457 to schedule. Let’s make this school year one of healing, growth, and emotional safety. When students feel safe and supported, they can focus more on learning.
We Specialize in Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Trauma
At Best Life Therapy, we provide compassionate counseling to support your mental health journey. Our experienced therapists are here to help you navigate life's challenges and promote personal growth.
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- Photo taken at Flushing County Park, Michigan