Linda Archibald, LMSW

11/27/2025

Keeping the younger crowd engaged and talking about feelings means meeting them right where they are at…one story, one laugh at a time. 😂

11/22/2025

Morning Routines That Ease School Anxiety (for all year-round)

Mornings can be one of the toughest times for children who experience anxiety about going to school. A predictable, gentle routine helps their nervous system feel safe and grounded before the day even begins. Start by waking your child with calm energy—soft light, a quiet voice, or a warm hug can signal safety right away. Give them enough time to move slowly without feeling rushed, which is a major anxiety trigger.

Offer simple choices like, “Do you want the blue shirt or the green one?” to give them a sense of control. Build in connection moments—five minutes of snuggling, reading together, or chatting while they eat breakfast. These small pockets of closeness help reduce stress and build confidence.

Use visual schedules or picture charts so they know what’s coming next and don’t have to guess. Practice a goodbye routine that stays the same each day, like a special handshake, hug pattern, or phrase. Validate their feelings by saying, “It’s okay to feel nervous. I’m right here, and you can do hard things.”

A calm, consistent morning doesn’t just get them to school—it teaches them how to regulate their emotions and trust in the stability of their world.

11/20/2025

11/18/2025

One thing about the upcoming holidays that can be overwhelming to me is the clutter! Between my busy work schedule my personal goal is decrease clutter in my home.
De-cluttering often gets pushed to the bottom of the list, buried under the daily routines of work, school events, meal prep, cleaning, tidying, and making time for exercise. But a little progress each day can make a big difference.
💡Here is a quick hack to make it a quick part of your weekly routine.
📦Every time a box gets delivered to your door empty it and fill it with things that you can donate and then put it directly in your car, and take it to a donation center/bin near you.
It is SO EASY and a start to keeping a clutter-free home. Plus you won’t have to deconstruct/recycle all of the boxes since you can use them for donations.

Benefits of decluttering for mental health:
* Reduces stress and anxiety
* Improves focus and productivity
* Boosts mood and feeling of accomplishment
* Enhances sleep quality
* Improves relationships

11/03/2025

Nature is Therapy!🍂
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

11/03/2025

Nature is therapy!

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

11/03/2025

Teaching Coping Skills to Build Resilience in Young Children

Helping young children build resilience starts with teaching them healthy coping thoughts and skills they can use when faced with frustration, disappointment, or fear. Children often feel big emotions but don’t yet have the tools to manage them — that’s where we come in.

Start by giving them simple coping thoughts they can repeat, like “I can try again,” “This feeling will pass,” or “I can ask for help.” These phrases reframe challenges as opportunities to grow and help children build an internal sense of strength and self-trust.

Pair these thoughts with calming actions: deep breathing, squeezing a stress ball, hugging a stuffed animal, or taking a short break. You can model coping by saying, “I’m feeling upset, so I’m going to take a deep breath before I try again.”

Encourage problem-solving by asking, “What could we do differently next time?” and celebrate their efforts, not just their successes. The goal isn’t to remove all stress, but to give children tools to handle it with confidence and calm.

Over time, these small moments teach children that they are capable of managing life’s ups and downs — and that emotions, even the hard ones, can be handled with care and courage.