The Dr. is in! August – Back to School

Meet  Jessica Colucci, LPC. She is a child and adolescent therapist at the Lukin Center for Psychotherapy. She specializes in the treatment of behavioral difficulties in children, anxiety, depression, as well as strengthening the parent-child relationship within families. Jessica also specializes in the treatment of trauma and is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She provides virtual and in- person sessions at our Westfield, Ridgewood and Hoboken locations!

As our kids get ready to go back to school, what are some ways parents can help/prepare them to cope with new experiences they might encounter?

Heading back to school can be an exciting, but sometimes scary experience for kids! For younger children, I always try to suggest if the school has a park that is accessible, go visit and spend some time as the beginning of school nears so that they can become familiar with the route to school, location and their playground! I also love the idea of a “coping box” that children can create their own toolbox and fill it with coping skills and items that they can then choose from as they walk out the door in the mornings to head to school.

What is group therapy and how does it work for our children? What are the benefits of group therapy for this age group?

Group therapy with children is often activity based and discusses different mental health topics to learn about, gain coping skills and also work on individual difficulties through peer feedback and sometimes even role play! Group therapy for this age group is beneficial because kids have the opportunity to normalize their experiences and not feel alone in their struggles. They also get the unique experience of being able to provide feedback to others, and gain it as well. It is a great option for social skills!

Any other advice?

It’s always helpful to have your child be aware of their resources at school! A conversation before school starts may also be to discuss who their teacher is, and any other support staff such as guidance counselors, social workers or any other provider who is there to help. This can ease anxiety for children to know they have a big team around to help when needed!