Varhola Counseling, PLLC

11/12/2025

10/28/2025

WISD Cooking Camp
Ages 8-13 - Mon, 11-3

Taught by the best teacher, Ms. Tiel Jenkins

Link to Register
https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/1T7K2YwAMR8dCuOnmC-0sJ6UXIS1Nk2LKc5BiGzyNFb0/viewform?usp=drivesdk&edit_requested=true

Payment Link Below - Due Tomorrow
https://weatherfordisd.revtrak.net/weatherford-high-school-/fccla/ #/v/fall-mini-cooking-camp

Monday Nov 3rd $35 due Oct 28, 2025 Payment link will be sent via email once form is received

10/19/2025

“A child’s emotional well-being is no less important than his or her physical or educational well-being. “

-Garry L. Landreth

10/18/2025

What fun!

Weatherford ISD Career & Technical Education
Grizzard Regional Institute of Technology
Weatherford ISD
Weatherford HS & NGC PTA
Weatherford Ninth Grade Campus

10/18/2025

ADHD is deeply misunderstood.
Most people think it’s just “being easily distracted.”
But ADHD is a complex neurological condition—and it comes with strengths most people never talk about.
Here are 8 truths about ADHD everyone should know:
1. It’s not a lack of attention—it’s a dysregulation of it.
People with ADHD can hyperfocus for hours on what they love—and totally ignore everything else. It’s not about laziness, it’s about control.
2. It’s not just a childhood thing.
ADHD often continues into adulthood. The symptoms just shift:
→ Less bouncing off the walls
→ More mental chaos, disorganization, and overwhelm
Many adults live undiagnosed for years.
3. ADHD brains are wired for novelty and stimulation.
Routine can feel unbearable—but these brains thrive in:
→ High-pressure environments
→ Creative problem solving
→ Fast feedback loops
In the right setting, ADHD becomes a superpower.
4. Rejection Sensitivity is real.
ADHD often includes RSD—Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.
Criticism or perceived failure can feel crushing.
It’s emotional pain that gets misdiagnosed as mood disorders.
5. Many ADHDers are natural entrepreneurs.
They’re:
→ Big-picture thinkers
→ Risk-takers
→ Unafraid of uncertainty
They struggle with rigid systems—but thrive when creating their own.
6. Executive function is the real challenge.
ADHD affects the brain’s ability to:
→ Plan
→ Prioritize
→ Start/finish tasks
It’s not about intelligence—it’s about activation.
7. Movement helps focus.
→ Pacing
→ Fidgeting
→ Walking while thinking
These aren’t distractions—they’re coping tools.
Even cardio can boost focus and mood.
8. Structure = freedom.
Yes, really.
→ Lists
→ Calendars
→ Visual reminders
These tools reduce overwhelm and build momentum.
Structure doesn’t box ADHDers in—it frees them.
🧠 ADHD isn’t a flaw.
It’s a different operating system.
Understand it. Support it. Harness it.

08/18/2025

Parenting teens can feel like a rollercoaster. One day they’re close and talkative, the next they’re distant and quiet. It’s not a sign you’re failing! This is part of their growth as they seek independence and identity.

What they need most is your steady presence. Even when they act uninterested, your consistency, patience, and love create the safe foundation they will always return to.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Every gentle conversation plants seeds you may not see grow right away, but God is faithful to bring fruit in time.

You are not alone, and you’re doing meaningful work even when it feels unseen.

08/01/2025

Let’s Talk About..Co-Regulation

Ever wondered why your child has sudden outbursts or seems to “lose it” over small things? Their brains are still developing, and for kids, especially with ADHD brains, it can feel like emotions hit at full speed without a brake pedal.

Co-regulation is the process of borrowing your calm to help your child find theirs.
It is not:
• Yelling over their meltdown
• Forcing them to “get over it”
• Ignoring their feelings

It is:
• Staying calm and present
• Offering a safe tone, posture, or touch
• Modeling how to breathe and settle

Quick Tips to Begin Co-Regulation:
• Lower your voice instead of raising it
• Sit near rather than over your child
• Offer slow, deep breaths or a gentle hug if they accept it

When you co-regulate, you are teaching your child’s brain what calm feels like. Over time, they’ll start to internalize that skill and self-regulate more effectively.

If your child struggles with big emotions, ADHD, or frequent meltdowns, play therapy can help build these skills in a safe, supportive way!

For more ways to strengthen your child’s emotional toolkit together, contact Kelly Varhola, LPC!

www.kellyvarholacounseling.com

07/24/2025

Let’s Talk About….
Friendships and Bravery

As a therapist, I see how brave it is for kids to try again in friendships when they’ve been hurt, excluded, or betrayed in the past. And in today’s world of social media, fast-moving group dynamics, and constant comparison, it’s more complicated than ever before.

Whether it’s an older child struggling to find a lunch buddy or a teen trying to make sense of shifting friend groups..friendship can feel risky and overwhelming.

But here’s the truth:
We were created for connection.
God designed us to love, be loved, and walk in community with wisdom and grace.

It takes courage for a child to take the step to say “Hi,” to forgive, or even to walk away from a hurtful relationship with peace.

How to support your adolescent or teen in friendship:
- Talk about what makes a friend; loyalty, kindness, truth, and forgiveness.
- Normalize healthy boundaries. It’s okay to protect their heart and step back from those who continue to hurt them.
- Help them become the friend they’re hoping to find. Talk about empathy, honesty, inclusion, and how to lift others up.
- Celebrate effort, not just outcomes. That small wave or honest conversation may have taken everything they had.

Friendship is beautiful, and sometimes it’s messy, but they don’t have to navigate it alone.

07/04/2025

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful Independence Day! For those who are sensitive to loud noises or crowded spaces, here’s a quick coping tip:

Create a calm zone: Use noise-canceling headphones, play soft music, or have a favorite fidget or comfort item nearby. Taking breaks in a quiet space can help soothe overwhelmed senses.

It’s okay to celebrate in your own way.
❤️🤍💙 Stay safe, stay grounded, and enjoy the day!

06/25/2025