Cool Creek Counseling, LLC

11/25/2025

Top Tips for Parents to Stress Less During School Holiday Breaks

Holiday breaks can be wonderful … and also a lot for parents.
If you ever find yourself dreading those long days off, these tips can help things feel calmer, smoother, and more connected at home:

✨ 1. Create a Loose Routine
Kids thrive with predictable structure, even on “home all day” break days.
Try a simple flow like:
Wake up → Breakfast → Activity → Down time → Lunch → Free play
You can even make a visual schedule with your kids!

✨ 2. Plan One “Anchor Activity” Per Day
This pairs beautifully with a loose routine.
Your anchor activity can be small: baking cookies, a library trip, a craft, a walk outside.
Kids do better when there’s one thing to look forward to, while still keeping the day flexible.

✨ 3. Prep “Yes” Snacks Ahead of Time
Create a bin of parent-approved snacks kids can grab independently.
If they ask, you can simply point to the bin. This reduces constant requests and gives kids healthy control.

✨ 4. Prepare Kids for Family Gatherings
Before heading to relatives’ homes, talk your kids through what to expect: who will be there, what activities might happen, how long you’ll stay.
Bring familiar toys, sensory tools, or games so you aren’t arriving with nothing for them to do.

✨ 5. Check Your Expectations
If your child only eats PB&J or chicken nuggets, expecting them to suddenly enjoy a full holiday meal often leads to frustration.
Pack foods you know they’ll eat and release the pressure, meeting kids where they’re at creates a more peaceful day for everyone.

✨ 6. Use “Special Jobs” to Encourage Cooperation
Kids love feeling helpful and included.
Give them roles like: napkin helper, present organizer, dishwasher captain, dog feeder, table setter.
Small responsibilities reduce chaos and boost confidence... and you can even let them pick between a collection of these special jobs so they feel like they have some say/control!

✨ 7. Add a Daily Parent Reset Too
You matter just as much.
Even 10 minutes alone with a coffee, a podcast, or silence can shift the tone of your whole day.

Holiday breaks don’t have to feel overwhelming! All of these tips won't work for every family but you can support your kids and yourself with simple, thoughtful routines and expectations.

www.coolcreekcounseling.com

11/21/2025

Today is the !! Please consider donating to the Touchstone Foundation! They are an amazing program that helps support mental health in Lancaster County in numerous ways! www.extragive.org/story/coolcreekcounseling

11/14/2025

Cool Creek Counseling is excited to support this to help youth in Lancaster County, PA access mental health care and mentorship. Our office has proudly joined with Touchstone's Mental Health Access Assistance Program for several years and see first hand how this program's generosity has helped numerous families access mental health care. Join us in making a difference on November 21st!

https://www.extragive.org/story/coolcreekcounseling

CCC is excited to support Touchstone Foundation during this ExtraGive to support youth in Lancaster!

11/11/2025

Teens are navigating so many changes — school transitions, friendships, feelings.

Let them know their feelings matter: “I hear you. I see you.”

Validation and curiosity help them feel seen and build confidence.

www.coolcreekcounseling.com

10/27/2025

🌟 Celebrating 5 Years with Devon! 🌟

This month marks five years with Devon as part of our Cool Creek Counseling team!

We are so thankful and grateful for all she brings to our practice — her steady presence, her compassion, and her dedication to the families she serves. Devon has a true passion for helping children, teens, adults and parents connect, grow, and heal.

Some of her clinical focus areas include behavioral concerns, play therapy, EMDR, and parent support, and she approaches her work with warmth, creativity, and deep care for each client.

Please join us in celebrating Devon and all the wonderful ways she has impacted our clients and our team over the past five years!

10/16/2025

Art therapy is more than making art — it’s a way for children, teens, or adults to express big feelings, calm their minds, and build confidence when words aren’t enough. 💛
You don’t have to be an artist to benefit — it’s all about the process, not the product!

🖌️ Learn more about art therapy at Cool Creek Counseling in Lancaster, PA or virtually throughout PA. www.coolcreekcounseling.com

10/06/2025

🌿 What Is Play Therapy?

Parents often ask, “Why play? Why not just talk?”

For children, play is talking. When words are hard to find, play becomes their language — a way to show us what they’re feeling, thinking, or worrying about.

In play therapy, a dollhouse, art supplies, or a sand tray can become their voice. Through play, children can safely explore emotions, build coping skills, and begin to heal.

It’s not “just play.” It’s powerful, meaningful work in the language children know best. 💛

If you think your child might benefit from play therapy, our team at Cool Creek Counseling would be glad to help. Learn more or reach out at www.coolcreekcounseling.com

09/19/2025

✨ Parenting isn’t about being perfect. ✨

It’s about showing up as the adult you want your child to become. Every time you model courage, kindness, or vulnerability, your child is learning how to do the same. 💛

Want support in navigating the ups and downs of parenting? We’re here to help — reach out to learn more about our parenting workshops and teen/child therapy services.
www.coolcreekcounseling.com

09/10/2025

Parenting teens or pre-teens isn’t always easy — and sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s “just being a teen” versus something more.

Every teen has ups and downs. But if you notice your child:
✔️ Pulling away from friends or family
✔️ Feeling overwhelmed by school or friendships
✔️ Changes in sleep or eating habits
✔️ Struggling to handle emotions
✔️ Loss of interest in activities they use to enjoy

…it may be time to consider therapy as a safe place for them to process and grow. 💚 Remember: reaching out doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you care enough to give your teen tools to thrive. Connect with us to see if our office would be a good match for your family. www.coolcreekcounseling.com

09/03/2025

🌟 Parenting little ones can feel overwhelming! 🌟

If you’ve ever thought…
“My child has constant tantrums.”
“Drop-offs are such a struggle.”
“I just want to feel more connected with my child.”

…you’re not alone! Our Circle of Security Parenting Workshop is designed to help parents of kids ages birth–6 understand their child’s needs, manage tough moments, and build stronger bonds. 💙

- Who it’s for: Parents of children ages birth–6
- When: Wednesdays from 1-2pm for 8 weeks, starting Oct.1
- Where: Virtual workshop (join from the comfort of your home!)
- Led by: Taylor Ohrum, LCSW, trained and certified in COSP

Fill out our contact form to learn more or secure your spot!
https://coolcreekcounseling.com/contact

08/19/2025

Helping kids, teens, and young adults feel calmer and more confident — now accepting new clients this school year.

Meet the team at Cool Creek Counseling!
We’re a group of therapists passionate about helping kids, teens, and young adults feel more confident, calm, and connected.

With the new school year starting, we know it can bring up a lot for you or your child—nervous feelings about going back to school, friendship worries, or stress from changes at home or school. That’s where we come in.

🌟 We’re excited to share that we have new openings available this fall and would love to walk alongside your family.
www.coolcreekcounseling.com

08/11/2025

We have just a few spots left open in our upcoming Neurodiversity Workshop for kids ages 11–13 this fall at Cool Creek Counseling, and we’d love to have your child join us! The group will run 4 consecutive Wednesday evenings starting on 9/10.

🧠 This workshop is designed for neurodivergent preteens to:
✨ Learn more about themselves
🤝 Build peer connections
🛠️ Practice concrete coping and social-emotional skills

You do not need to currently be or become ongoing clients at our practice — we’ll complete a brief intake prior to the workshop to ensure fit!

If you have a tween in mind who could benefit, we’d love to connect!
Feel free to email us or connect from our website: info@coolcreekcounseling.com for more info or to sign up!
www.coolcreekcounseling.com/workshops