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Tag: Therapist

6 Real-Life Mental Health Tips That Actually Work: Simple Tools for Everyday Wellness

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Taking Care of Your Mental Health: Tips, Tools, and Resources That Help

By: Qiana Jones, COTA/L

As a pediatric occupational therapist assistant, I spend my days helping kiddos find meaning, balance, and function in their lives. I get to walk alongside kids and their families through their obstacles, uncertain moments and major milestones. But sometimes it’s easy to get lost in it all. It’s very fast paced and we push through stress, downplay anxiety, or tell ourselves we’ll “deal with it later.” But mental health is just as important as physical health—neglecting it can affect every part of our lives: work, relationships, sleep, and even our physical well-being.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or simply want to build healthier habits, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out alone either. Here are some trustworthy mental health tips to help you support your mental well-being.

Take Charge of Your Mental Health: Real Tips, Honest Insights, and Trusted Resources

1. Acknowledge What You’re Feeling

It’s okay to feel anxious, sad, exhausted, or irritable. Ignoring or judging your emotions only increases the pressure. Practice noticing what you’re feeling with curiosity instead of criticism.

Try this: Pause for a moment during the day and ask, “What am I feeling right now—and what might I need?”

2. Create Small, Steady Routines

You don’t need an elaborate wellness plan. Often, it’s the simple, consistent habits that help most—like making your bed, drinking water, or going for a short walk.

Tip: Pick one small thing you can do daily. It might feel minor, but it builds structure and control when life feels chaotic. My thing I do EVERY night is a 15 minute power clean! It gives me something to look forward to and calms my body down after a long day.

3. Limit Overstimulation

Constant notifications, endless scrolling, or doom-scrolling news feeds can worsen anxiety and disrupt your focus.

Tip: Schedule short “digital detox” periods—maybe 30 minutes in the morning or evening—to recharge without screens.

4. Talk to Someone You Trust

Mental health thrives in connection. Sharing your thoughts with a friend, therapist, or support group can help you feel seen and supported. I personally speak with a therapist once a month just to help process major life transitions, anxiety and depression!

Reminder: You don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis to reach out. Talking early can prevent issues from escalating.

5. Move Your Body—Gently

Exercise doesn’t have to mean intense workouts. A short walk, gentle stretching, or dancing in your living room can release stress-reducing chemicals like endorphins. I love walking the local trails in Greenville for 10-20 minutes!

Movement helps shift mental energy—and it’s a form of self-respect, not a form of punishment.

6. Give Yourself Permission to Rest

Rest is productive. Your brain and body need time to recover, reflect, and process. Try not to confuse rest with laziness. 

Try: Scheduling downtime like you would a meeting—your nervous system will thank you.

How Carolina Therapy Connection Can Help

You don’t have to navigate your mental health journey alone—Carolina Therapy Connection is here to support you every step of the way. Our licensed therapists offer personalized mental wellness services for children, teens, and adults, whether you’re navigating anxiety, burnout, life transitions, or simply seeking to establish healthier routines. We take a compassionate, whole-person approach to therapy because mental health isn’t one-size-fits-all.

From individual counseling to family support and caregiver resources, our team helps you create realistic goals and lasting strategies for well-being. We also offer complimentary 15-minute screenings to help you determine if therapy is right for you. In-person and teletherapy options are available for your convenience, because caring for your mental health should fit into real life.

 

Understanding Child-Centered Play Therapy

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Understanding Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)

Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is an evidence-based approach that helps children explore their emotions, resolve conflicts, and build overall well-being—through the power of play. In this blog, we’ll break down the core principles of CCPT, its benefits, and why it’s such a powerful tool for helping children navigate emotional challenges.

What Is Child-Centered Play Therapy?

CCPT is a nondirective, child-led approach to therapy. Instead of asking children to talk directly about their problems, it gives them a safe space to express themselves naturally through play. In this supportive environment, children can use toys, art, and imagination to work through their feelings. The therapist follows the child’s lead with empathy and acceptance, helping them build trust, emotional awareness, and healthy coping strategies.

Benefits of Child-Centered Play Therapy

  1. Encourages Emotional Expression
    Children often struggle to express emotions like grief, anger, anxiety, or fear with words. CCPT gives them a way to “speak” through play. For example, a child might act out a scary experience with dolls or role-play different ways to handle conflict. This symbolic expression can lead to powerful emotional healing over time.
  2.  Helps Process Trauma and Loss
    For children who have experienced trauma, loss, or big life changes—like a death in the family, divorce, or abuse—CCPT can be especially effective. Play becomes a safe outlet for overwhelming emotions, allowing them to make sense of what happened and begin to heal.
  3. Builds Self-Regulation and Coping Skills
    Through play and connection with the therapist, children learn how to handle frustration, anxiety, and disappointment in healthier ways. These emotional regulation skills carry over into everyday situations at home, school, and in social settings.
  4. Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem
    When children are accepted without judgment and given control over their play, they feel valued. Over time, this builds self-confidence and teaches them that their feelings matter—and that they have the ability to solve problems on their own.
  5. Strengthens Social Skills
    Whether it’s learning to take turns, share, or resolve conflicts, CCPT provides opportunities to practice real-life social skills through play. These lessons help children form stronger, more positive relationships with peers and adults.
  6. Offers a Safe Space for Exploration
    CCPT gives children the freedom to explore who they are, what they feel, and how they relate to the world around them. With a supportive therapist by their side, they gain insight, build self-awareness, and grow emotionally.

Who Can Benefit from Child-Center Play Therapy?

Child-Centered Play Therapy is effective for a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges, including:

  • Anxiety, depression, or frequent anger

  • Trauma or abuse

  • Grief and loss

  • Difficulty with family transitions (e.g., divorce or parental conflict)

  • Social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties

  • Developmental delays or disabilities

CCPT is typically used with children ages 3 and up, and its flexible, child-led nature makes it adaptable to many different needs.

How Carolina Therapy Connection Can Help

At Carolina Therapy Connection, we’re passionate about supporting children and families through a variety of therapeutic approaches—including Child-Centered Play Therapy.

If you think CCPT could benefit your child, we’d love to help. Contact our mental wellness team today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation and see how we can support your family’s journey.