If all else fails. . . enjoy the moment. A good bed time routine takes work. Most likely it isn’t going to happen overnight. Every night you will get a bit closer to your goal. Keep your routine, keep setting clear expectations, and stay calm. If it doesn’t work. . . relax. Enjoy this moment because we all know that these little people won’t be little forever.

At Olympia Therapy we know the frustration many parents experience and feel. We understand and know the pressure of all the parenting strategies not working! We have found that many times it is these sensory sensitivities that are not being addressed sufficiently. We are hoping that through education and compassionate support, parents can get the stress relief they are seeking, knowing that you are finally getting to the root of, what can be, significant behavioral and emotional conflict and strain in the home.

As a parent, if we lose sight of the human child in front of you and only seek to have compliance and dominance over the developing child - you lose connection and breach the relationship. A child’s brain does not function as an adult’s, it is growing and developing. By focusing on the child and the intention of their behavior, you will find connection and strengthen your relationship.

The beginning of Three is often a breath of fresh air after the “terrible twos.” Three has an easier time cooperating and sharing with those they are close to.

Cary, Olympia Therapy's owner, is often asked about what sensory fidgets and items she has in her clinic when she presents to the public on Play & Sensory Processing Disorder, Playful Regulation, & Playful Wisdom Parenting.

In our clinic we have sensory fidget toys in all of our treatment rooms to aid in calming, distraction while talking, and engagement in play. Research tells us that if we are meeting our body's need for regulation, our brains can process information more easily and verbalizations come easier. Our tactile, visual, and auditory sensory systems can often be regulated together with many hands-on fidget toys pictured below.

The mor...

We have to keep our body fueled, moving, well rested, curious, and engaged with other humans. And sometimes, we need to seek help when we are feeling stuck in our bodies and/or our brains. Life events happen that throw us off kilter. We experience: grief/loss, relationship challenges, social challenges, marriage, children, feeling isolated, divorce, sleep disturbances, anxiety/panic, ongoing feelings of sadness or helplessness. These are all common reasons why individuals might seek professional help. It is important that when you are seeking help, you know what to look for. Seeking out a trained professional with State Licensure is key, as their training and education is more exten...

The ACEs questionnaire was administered to over 17,000 adults and was comprised of ten yes/no questions evaluating the ten categories above; each yes equated to one point on their ACE score. The scores were then correlated against health outcomes.

Going through divorce is hard for everyone in the family. I know because I’ve been there. I’ve also worked with countless families as a therapist helping them through the process. One of the biggest worries is how it will impact the children. I’ve gathered helpful resources and tips for you. I hope you find this encouraging and it helps you establish further support for yourself and your family during this challenging time.

Young children- ages 8 and younger

Many people underestimate how much young kids know and understand. Parents often try to shelter kids from what’s happening, but little ears will hear things even when you’re careful. If they overhear parts of conversations, their...

This week, February 3-9, is National Play Therapy Week! So let's talk about play therapy and how it can help your child and your family!

What is Play Therapy?

• Play Therapy is an evidence-based practice for working with children in mental health.

• Play Therapy uses the natural language of children and the powers of play to help children process their feelings and experiences.

• Why Play? https://a4pt.site-ym.com/page/WhyPlayTherapy

• The Association for Play Therapy (APT) defines Play Therapy as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or reso...

As it turns out, there are lots of good reasons to employ deep breathing as a calming tool, according to science.