Contributed by: Austin Raines, LCMHCA As parents, your role in shaping your child's overall school experience goes far beyond just ensuring they turn in their homework in on time, study for tests, and receive good grades. Being a supportive parent is the most...

Contributed By: Austin Raines, LCMHCA The term, “validation,” has become increasingly popular, and its benefits can be applied in any relationship you find yourself in. At its core, offering emotional validation is one of the most important pillars in any close...

Contributed by: Austin Raines, LCMHCA The start of the school year is back on the horizon, and it’s never too early to start planning ahead. This allows students and parents to do everything in their power to make this upcoming school year as successful as possible....

Contributed by: Austin Raines Body image is a widely discussed topic that impacts individuals from all walks of life and can significantly influence one’s mental health. With the rise of social media, the expectations for people to look a certain way has never been...

Contributed by: Austin Raines If you are reading this blog, odds are you are knee-deep in your own mental health concerns or the mental health concerns of someone you love. Perhaps it’s both. Regardless of what brought you to this blog, I’m so glad you’re here, taking...

Contributed by Austin Raines During childhood and adolescence, individuals have a greater ability to learn and digest new information. The commonly used saying is that kids absorb new information like a sponge. During the early stages of development, kids are...

Contributed by: Austin Raines "The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet." -Rachel Naomi Remen Before I dive into the impacts of...

Contributed by: Austin Raines February is a month that, for better or worse, operates as a reminder of relationships and how they impact our lives. With Valentine’s Day falling on February 14th, traditionally romantic relationships are at the forefront of people’s...

Contributed by: Austin Raines Congratulations on making it to a new year! The start of the new year comes with so much excitement and promise. The phrase “new year, new me” continues to grow in popularity and reinforces the concept that at the start of the new year...

The holidays are generally one of the most exciting times of the year, but they are also one of the most stressful. Between coordinating travel plans, buying gifts, managing work schedules, handling kids that are out of school, and more, it is easy to feel run down...

Contributed by: Monique Heath, LCMHC, LCAS The temperatures are dropping, school is in session, the days are shorter, and the leaves are changing colors. These are all signs that fall is upon us. Much like this there are signs of all around promoting substance use....

Contributed by Renee Birch, LCMHC and NC Licensed School Counselor Is your middle school age child experiencing any of the following: fluctuation of energy and fatiguewanting to know the relevance in learningshowing varied interestsa concrete thinkersensitive at...

Contributed by Mary York, MSW, LCSWA Have you ever heard the phrase “communication is key?” I’m sure you have! Whether you have heard it in the therapy room, at work, or just in everyday life; effective communication is one of the most important skills we can learn....

Contributed by: Monique Heath, LCMHC, LCAS Being in an accident or natural disaster, experiencing spiritual or religious abuse, a sudden or violent death in your life, witnessing bodily harm or death, being physically assaulted, exposure to school violence, being...

Contributed by: Amy Gregor, LCSW It is no secret that the team here at Queen City Counseling & Consulting (QCCC) believes in the healing power of animals.  We are excited to say that over the past several months we have continued to expand our knowledge in the...