Zach Engler: Solutions-Focused Counseling, LLC

09/17/2020

Hey everyone! I will be giving a presentation on mental health with several other counselors from the local area this evening at 7 pm. It will be live streamed on Springfieldcatholicschools.org. Hope you can make time to watch it! The video should be made accessible on that same website as well if you miss the live stream.

This presentation should have good information on how you and your family can stay mentally healthy during this difficult time.

Dear SCS Alumni,As you may know, several area schools have been presented a petition regarding the education given at their alma mater in the area of race and racism.  This week, our administration was presented with a signed petition from several SCS alumni in that regard.  Please see below th...

04/04/2020

Hey everyone,

I thought I'd reach out and give you some information I think could be helpful for you and your family's Mental Health during this time of quarantine.

I think the key thing is to have open communication right know about the quarantine between you and your loved ones. Parents, let the kids talk about how they are feeling about it and ask questions. You can ask them things such as "What they're missing right now being in quarantine and what do they understand about the virus?" "Are they scared or worried?" If so, what about?
Google can be your best friend. Look at this article I found just googling "how to help teens during quarantine time" and found this helpful article: https://www.mghclaycenter.org/hot-topics/7-ways-to-support-kids-and-teens-through-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

A bunch of different and helpful articles came up besides just this one. And parents, you can look up different activities that you can plan on doing with your kids/teens during this quarantine too.
Socializing is so important for kids and teenagers, so they need to stay connected. They can play online video games with their friends. Social media gets ragged on a lot these days but it's essential they stay connected with their friends. Have them watch a scary or funny movie together with their friends over the phone or through video chat. Or they can play Battleship, Guess Who, or video Charades over the phone/Skype with their friends. They need to stay connected! Another idea if your child and their friends can start a book club together.

Also, this is an important time for families to reconnect and do things together. Put puzzles together. Go for walks together. Play board games together. Get into a walking/biking/running mileage competition with your friends and family. I'm doing that with my family right now and the competition ends on Mother's Day. A lot of teens don't spend much time at home with their family, so this is a perfect time for them to reconnect with the family. And parents, keep an eye on your child's behaviors, especially those that are changing since quarantine began.

And I of course believe counseling can help. Just having a place for the kids/teens to talk about their issues and what they feel they're missing can really help. Again, open communication during these times is key. And yes, boredom is going to happen so understanding that and knowing that boredom can be a part of life sometimes. So trying to make the best of that time and filling it with fun and interactive activities is key. Just reading a book can help pass the time and help their kids/teens use their imagination to escape what is going on around them, even if it is just for a little bit.

I hope this information helps you and your family and I hope you and your family are doing well!

Sincerely,

Zach

As parents, we need to support kids and teens through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to help them maintain emotional stability. Here are 7 tips.

10/01/2019

I have a link attached here to my Psychology Today Profile. If you are currently looking for counseling, or want to refer a friend to me for counseling, then click on the link below to get to know a little bit more about me and my counseling style.

Zach Engler, Springfield, MO, 65804, (417) 815-1931, My job is to help empower you or your child/family/significant-other to find a solution to the problems you are facing; whether it be job or family related, relationship issues or you just need somebody to talk to and listen, I am here. Call, text...

03/02/2019

It's official, I'm a fully licensed professional counselor (LPC)! A lot of hard work but couldn't be happier. If you're looking for a counselor call or message me @ 417-299-3169. My business name is Solutions-Focused Counseling, LLC.