Planning family vacations requires a certain amount of skill and fortitude. You have to budget properly, adjust everyone’s schedules, and notify people of your plans. When you’re divorced, all of these difficulties are amplified.
Getting everyone on the same page in a split-parent household is a job all in itself. Vacations only make things more difficult, as schedules and visitations are often disrupted.
Have you considered visiting a family therapist in Las Vegas? They will help you navigate the waters and come up with scheduling solutions to keep everybody happy so you can relax during your vacation the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Follow these tips:
If you’d like your kids to see the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, put that thought on the table as soon as it crosses your mind. If you’re thinking about taking a road trip to a neighboring city that’s six or seven hours away, let your ex know as soon as possible.
No matter how far or near you’re planning to travel, it’s best to let your former partner know as soon as possible. The earlier the planning, the fewer obstacles you’re likely to encounter when packing day arrives.
If you’re lucky enough to have had an amicable divorce, that’s great! But don’t fall into a lull of security by thinking everything is kosher when it comes to travel plans. All divorced parents are responsible for obtaining proper paperwork before going on vacation with their kids.
If you fail to follow-up on the proper paperwork, you could be out a substantial amount of money for non-refundable flights, hotel reservations, and entertainment tickets.
Not only is it important for you, as an adult, to communicate your plans with your ex; it’s also essential your children have a free pathway of communication.
Your kids may feel anxious about going to an unknown place without both parents. This is actually quite natural, but the fear needs to be addressed by way of free-flowing communication. A family therapist in Las Vegas might recommend regularly-scheduled Facetime or phone calls with the other parent leading up to the departure.
While away, make sure your kids have easy access to the other parent if they want to share stories, talk about their anxieties, or explore their excitement.
If you want to take the kids out of town for Christmas, put Thanksgiving on the table as an olive branch. Remember, your kids have two parents who want to enjoy time with them.
If you’ve found yourself quarreling with your ex when it’s time to plan vacations, a family therapist in Las Vegas may be able to help. Reach out to our team at Kayenta Therapy Centers so we can help you talk through the difficulties and come up with a good solution that works for everyone. Call 702-438-7800 to schedule an appointment today.
Everyone has a favorite New Year’s resolution. It may be the same one they make every year. What happens when the good intentions fall by the wayside? What makes it so hard to stick to a resolution? If despite your best intentions your yearly resolutions seem to disappear before Valentine’s Day, there is a way to turn those well-laid plans into habits. Start by giving yourself a break: it isn’t a lack of willpower.
Good habits exist so we don’t have to constantly fight temptation. For example, instead of resisting eating a doughnut every morning for breakfast, form the habit of starting out your day with a healthy meal. Before you know it, it’s become routine and doughnuts don’t even cross your mind. The keys to successfully forming habits are knowledge and planning. Together, they help you build successful patterns lasting a lifetime. If you’re already thinking about your resolutions for next year, here’s how to make sure they become enduring habits.
It takes about 66 days to form a habit, so look for support wherever you can find it:
Changing your behavior doesn’t have to be restricted to the start of the New Year. You can get started any time. Remember, lapses are frequently part of the process. Sound like too much work? The good news is people who make New Year’s resolutions are nearly 10 times more likely to achieve their goals.
If you think something more may be holding you back, talking it out with a Las Vegas therapist can help. A therapist can help you see problems in a new way, lend emotional support, and offer the help you need to turn your New Year’s resolution into a healthy habit. Contact Kayenta Therapy Centers today to schedule an appointment or call 702-438-7800.
It is natural to want to live a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life. With the ending of one year, and the beginning of a new one, now is the perfect time to make these life-affirming changes. But making meaningful changes in your life is difficult. If you are like most people who find themselves consistently making and breaking New Year’s resolutions, you know the frustration and the feeling of hopelessness this can cause. Break the cycle of broken New Year’s resolutions, and make 2018 the year of personal growth by following these tips:
Making a New Year’s resolution is a great first step to change your life for the better. Many people find speaking with a professional, supportive therapist can play an essential part in helping them make the life changes they desire. If you live in the Las Vegas area and would like to speak with a therapist, contact Kayenta Therapy at 702-438-7800.
An absolutely symmetrical tree adorned with elegant decorations and twinkling lights. Gifts–each perfect for its recipient–wrapped with precision. Smiling family members breaking bread, sharing hugs and happy to see one another. A light dusting of snow on Christmas morning followed by New Year’s resolutions.
For many, these are the elements of an ideal holiday season. Sadly, their expectations are likely too high. No tree is symmetrical, decorations break, lights burn out, sometimes you get the wrong gift, families fight and it almost never snows in Las Vegas–even in December.
But sometimes New Year’s resolutions are realized, and this year you should resolve to adjust your expectations. From setting budgets to accepting flaws to seeking family therapy in Las Vegas, here’s a look at how you can adjust your expectations for the holidays:
Money–or a lack of it–can cause stress, anxiety and even feelings of inadequacy. Gifts, food, travel and holiday incidentals add up quickly–especially if you are focused on making everything perfect. Instead, set a holiday budget and let it guide your expectations.
Knowing how much you can spend will automatically set your financial expectations.
It’s easy to fall in love with a “Hallmark holiday,” especially when every commercial features a picture-perfect family enjoying another ideal holiday. In reality, however, perfection is not obtainable–especially when it includes three inches of fluffy white snow on Christmas day in Las Vegas.
Ignore the idealistic notions of what holidays are supposed to be and focus instead on staying true to your family traditions.
You know how your Mom is always an hour late? Yeah, that’s not going to change this year–and that’s OK. Identifying and accepting your family members’ lifelong habits, predispositions and, flaws, is a lot easier and less stressful than expecting them to change–even if the family dinner is at your house this year.
Sometimes it’s not your expectations that lead to stress and anxiety. Sometimes it’s your assumptions about what others expect from you.
You want to get the perfect gift for a loved one but have no idea what the perfect gift might be. You assume everyone expects a formal dinner. You think friends flying in from out of state expect to stay with you.
These assumptions go hand in hand with high expectations–expectations that might not even be in line with what others want, need or expect.
So why not communicate with your friends and family? Ask what people would like for gifts. Include your guests in the dinner planning. Find out what accommodations your friends want and need. Communicating clearly will help you keep expectations in line with reality.
Sometimes people need a little professional help in the form of family therapy in Las Vegas to make it through the holidays. Kayenta Therapy Centers offers low cost family therapy in Las Vegas. Contact Kayenta Therapy Centers today at 702-438-7800 for help with holiday expectations and stress.
Divorce can be confusing, frustrating and frightening for adults. The uncertainty created when a marriage comes to an end often leads to tears, anger and emotional outbursts.
And it can be worse for children.
Children often can’t understand what’s happening during a divorce. All they know is the two most important people in their lives are going in opposite directions. To make matters worse for kids, they often don’t have the right coping skills to effectively express themselves–and this can lead to behavior problems. While there are certain tips you can do on your own, it’s advised to make an appointment for a divorce parenting class in Las Vegas.
Here’s a look at how divorcing parents can help their children understand what’s happening and express themselves in productive ways:
Children are incredibly perceptive. If you are struggling emotionally with the divorce, it is likely your children know. They sense the stress, feel the frustration and carry your burden with them throughout the day. That’s why it’s important you manage your emotions and model positive behavior. It’s normal to struggle with divorce, but it’s important to show your kids you know you’ll be OK.
Consistency is one thing your children will need more than ever after a divorce. The world they once new will change dramatically, and structure will help them make it through the change.
Set expectations. Establish new routines. Be consistent with rules and discipline.
You may feel tempted to be lax and fall prey to the “Disneyland parent” syndrome, but this doesn’t do your children any favors. They want and need consistency so they know their world is not falling apart.
Many kids create emotional shells after their parents go through a divorce. They don’t talk; they let anger build up inside of themselves and act like everything is OK.
In most instances, everything isn’t OK. Over time, pent up questions and anger is sure to come to the surface–and it often manifests itself in behavioral problems.
Children want and need communication, so create opportunities to talk to your kids without pushing or demanding. Instead, do something fun together (like coloring with younger kids and cooking with older kids) and talk as naturally as possible about the divorce.
It can take a long time for children to come out of their shells. But don’t lose faith. Be patient and keep trying. Over time, it’s likely your children will come around and want to talk to you about what they are feeling and thinking.
If you have modeled good behavior, set up structure and communicated with your kids and you’re still dealing with behavioral problems, it may be time to ask for help.
A divorce parenting class in Las Vegas might be a good place to start. Kayenta Therapy Centers offers divorce parenting classes that are affordable and effective. You’ll learn to communicate, co-parent and help your children cope with the new world in which they live.
Contact Kayenta Therapy Centers today at 702-438-7800 for more information about divorce parenting classes in Las Vegas.
For most people, the holiday season represents happy times spent with loved ones. However, for the children (young and adult) of newly separated parents, and for the parents themselves, this first big holiday with a fractured family can feel like a nightmare.
If you are undergoing stress and anxiety due to separation, it’s important to remember you are not alone and seeking counseling in Las Vegas may be an important step for your well-being. To help you go beyond simply surviving the holidays, consider the following tips for an enjoyable holiday season:
Finally, remember to take care of yourself. Learning how to put your mental and emotional health first is a large part of counseling in Las Vegas. It is easy for the stress of holidays and the anticipation of dealing with a separation to cause anxiety and bouts of depression. Stay healthy and happy with exercise and the above tips for a more easy-going and less stressful holiday.
To learn more about navigating a changing family dynamic, and make an appointment for counseling in Las Vegas, contact Kayenta at 702-438-7800.
Maybe this sounds like you – or someone close to you: You would like to talk with a therapist but aren’t sure how to get started and worry about how much the counseling sessions will cost. So instead of reaching out for help, you remain stuck.
In fact, these two fears prevent many people from pursuing counseling, according to the mental health experts at Psych Central: “Therapy may seem like a strange, foreign land to someone who’s never been,” the source quotes Ryan Howes, a professor and clinical psychologist in Pasadena, in its “World of Psychology” series. While admitting therapy can be costly, Howes says people can find affordable treatment options if they look in the right places.
Kayenta Therapy is one of those places. As the largest private practice Las Vegas counseling center, Kayenta Therapy does far more than anticipate such fears; it addresses them head-on by offering a convenient and straightforward therapist search function and $40 sessions with graduate student therapists.
The therapists at Kayenta understand there are few things in life more frustrating than wanting (and needing) counseling but not pursuing it. And this is precisely why they make it so easy to reach out.
Our premier Las Vegas counseling center demystifies the process of finding a therapist with its quick and easy search option. All you have to do is fill in three data fields to come up with a potential therapist (or therapists):
If you’ve been referred to Kayenta and already know a therapist’s name, you can click on that name and be directed to the therapist’s bio. More than 100 therapists have their practice at Kayenta – virtually assuring you will find a therapist who is a good fit for you.
The Kayenta Legacy Program underscores our commitment to graduate student education and affordable counseling services. Graduate students from five universities work under the direction of a licensed and experienced supervisor to offer therapy sessions for only $40.
In the world of graduate school, this is known as the “capstone experience” – a culminating clinical experience that rounds out graduate students’ classroom education right before they graduate and embark on a career in counseling. It is similar to a residency that future physicians fulfill at a hospital before graduating from medical school.
The graduate students’ schooling has prepared them well to address a variety of issues in counseling sessions, including anger management, anxiety, career decisions, child behavior problems, communication problems, coping skills, depression, divorce adjustment, grief, parenting skills, relationships issues and many more.
The licensed and graduate student therapists at Kayenta Therapy are united in purpose: They believe people possess the power to change. The therapists offer sensitive and compassionate guidance so that people can find the tools to foster such change – and, in the process, change their lives for the better.
Often when a parent gets a call from a school counselor they go into panic mode straight away. Parental brains go to thinking “What is wrong with my child?” or “What did my child do?”. One thing to note is school counselors can call for many reasons, including academic issues, social development, and personal issues.
If a school counselor does call you about personal or social issues, the best thing you can do is listen. You will want to find out what is happening at school that has triggered the call. Is this a problem that has stemmed from something that is happening at school or is it something happening outside of school?
If the problem is not school or education related, then your school counselor may suggest resources outside of the school. They may suggest your child visit a child therapist in Las Vegas.
Contact a Therapist at Kayenta Directly
It is hard not to panic when the school counselor calls and suggests getting outside help. It is better to view this as an opportunity, though. An opportunity to get your child help before issues become bigger.
Another advantage to getting help outside of school is your child is more likely to open up without the added pressure of thinking everyone in the school knows they are seeing a counselor.
You can be assured the school counselor has not made this call on a whim, something has triggered the call and it is likely something to take note of and get help for.
There are many reasons a school counselor may call you about getting further help for your child, including:
The school counselor may suggest the names of outside counseling groups; however, as the parent you get to make the final decision on who you choose as your child’s counselor.
You will want to find someone that can connect with your child. You will also want a convenient location so it is easier to be there for scheduled appointments.
If you are in need of a group of independent therapists, Kayenta Therapy Center provides a range of therapy services. We have a large staff base making it easier for you to find the right fit for your child. For over 10 years our therapy centers have provided help to the residents of Las Vegas at 702-438-7800.
If your school counselor calls and suggests therapy for your child, contact the team at Kayenta Therapy Center.
“What are we going to tell the kids?”
For couples going through a divorce, no question is more important to answer. Unfortunately, answers aren’t always easy to find.
Children are often more affected by divorce than their parents. It can be incredibly stressful, confusing and heartbreaking for kids. It can cause detachment from friends and family, and the affects can last a lifetime-unless children get help and support from a therapist in Las Vegas.
Here’s a look at how you can help your children cope with divorce:
Open, honest and measured communication will be critical to your kids’ ability to understand and cope with the divorce. This means:
Your kids are going to feel like their world is spinning out of control. This can escalate if their parents aren’t cooperating with one another. You can help your kids feel secure by:
Even if you communicate and cooperate, your children are likely to have questions, concerns and comments of their own-and you might not always like what they have to say. Encourage your children to share their feelings and emotions by:
When you are physically healthy and emotionally present, you are better positioned to help your kids cope with the divorce. Make sure to care for yourself by:
If you are going through a divorce and wonder what you are going to tell the kids, contact a therapist at Kayenta Therapy directly to set up an appointment, and discuss your options with him or her.
