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Nov 11
Love0

How Psychological Testing Can Bring Peace of Mind to Parents Over the Holidays

By Testing

The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and connection—but for many parents, they can also bring stress, worry, and questions about their child’s well-being. Between changes in routine, increased social demands, and the pressure to “make it magical,” you might notice behaviors or struggles that raise concern. This is where psychological testing can bring clarity, understanding, and peace of mind.

Understanding What’s Really Going On

When a child struggles in school, seems unusually anxious, or has frequent emotional outbursts, it’s easy for parents to feel uncertain about what’s normal and what may need more support. Psychological testing provides objective, research-based insight into your child’s strengths, challenges, and learning or emotional patterns.

At Dayspring Behavioral Health, these assessments are designed to uncover the “why” behind behaviors—helping parents and professionals create plans that work, not just guesswork. Whether it’s attention issues, learning differences, or emotional concerns, testing helps bring the full picture into focus.

Why Now Is the Perfect Time

The holiday season often brings a natural pause from school routines, making it an ideal time to schedule testing. With fewer academic pressures, your child can participate in assessments in a relaxed environment. Results are typically ready by the time the new semester begins—allowing parents to meet with teachers and plan targeted supports before the next grading period starts.

Plus, going into the new year with clarity can ease the mental load for parents who’ve spent months wondering what’s going on. Answers replace worry, and understanding replaces frustration.

Gaining Peace of Mind and a Clear Path Forward

One of the greatest gifts psychological testing can offer is peace of mind. It helps you understand your child’s unique needs so you can advocate confidently, communicate effectively with educators, and provide the right type of support at home.

For some families, that means identifying a learning difference like ADHD or dyslexia; for others, it’s confirming that a child’s challenges stem from stress, anxiety, or emotional changes. Either way, you walk away with practical next steps and a sense of relief knowing you’re not navigating this alone.

Support That Grows With Your Family

At Dayspring Behavioral Health, our psychologists work closely with parents, schools, and healthcare providers to ensure that each child’s care plan is thoughtful, effective, and sustainable. We believe that understanding your child’s mind is one of the most powerful tools you can have—and that every family deserves peace, especially during the holidays.

Ready to learn more about how psychological testing can support your child? Contact Dayspring Behavioral Health today to schedule a consultation and start the new year with clarity and confidence.

Oct 25
Love0

He’s Not Lazy: Understanding What Your Teenage Boy Really Needs

By Teens

If you’ve ever looked at your teen boy and wondered, why won’t he just try?, you’re not alone. Many parents of teenage boys find themselves frustrated when their once-curious, energetic sons seem to withdraw, lose motivation, or spend hours scrolling through social media. It’s easy to label it as laziness—but often, what’s really happening runs much deeper.

The Teenage Years Are a Time of Change

The teenage years bring a rush of physical, emotional, and neurological changes. While teen girls often communicate these transitions more openly, young men are sometimes taught—directly or indirectly—to keep things inside. What can look like apathy or avoidance is often confusion, anxiety, or exhaustion from trying to keep up with expectations they don’t know how to meet.

For teenage boys, this is also a stage where their sense of identity is forming. They’re trying to figure out who they are, how they fit in, and how to feel safe in a world that constantly tells them to “man up” or “try harder.” When parents only see the lack of effort, they might miss the signs of deeper struggle—like depression, social anxiety, ADHD, or emotional overload.

The Role of Connection and Safety

One of the most important things your teen boy needs is to feel safe. Safety doesn’t just mean physical protection—it means emotional safety, too. If your son feels like every conversation turns into a lecture, he may stop opening up altogether.

Creating safety starts with small gestures:

  • Making consistent eye contact without judgment
  • Asking questions without jumping to solutions
  • Spending time together without an agenda—like driving, cooking, or watching a show

These small, everyday moments help your teen feel seen and understood. For many young men, connection happens shoulder-to-shoulder, not face-to-face. It’s less about long talks and more about shared experiences that make them feel supported without pressure.

How Social Media Shapes Motivation

Social media plays a huge role in how teenage boys see themselves. Between highlight reels, gaming culture, and endless comparisons, it’s easy for a teen to feel inadequate before he even starts.

If your son seems glued to his phone, it’s not always just distraction—it can be a coping tool. The constant stream of content provides escape from self-doubt or social stress. However, over time, it can also numb motivation and increase isolation. Helping your teen find balance—not punishment—around screen time is key. Encourage breaks, outdoor time, and offline hobbies where he can experience real accomplishment and self-worth.

When “Lazy” Might Mean Something Else

If your teen consistently struggles with motivation, focus, or mood, it may be time to look a little deeper. What can appear as laziness might actually be:

  • Anxiety: Overthinking or fear of failure can make it hard to start anything.
  • Depression: Fatigue, irritability, and loss of interest often look like disinterest.
  • ADHD: Trouble with organization and time management may lead to frustration and avoidance.

A professional assessment can help identify what’s really going on and what kind of support your teen needs. Understanding the “why” behind his behavior can be life-changing for both of you.

Parenting Teens with Understanding

Parenting teens is one of the hardest—and most rewarding—seasons of family life. It requires patience, flexibility, and the ability to listen more than you speak. Try to focus on progress, not perfection. Celebrate effort. Reinforce strengths. And when you see your son struggling, remember that he’s not lazy—he’s likely overwhelmed.

The goal isn’t to fix every challenge for him, but to help him build confidence in solving problems himself. Over time, that sense of capability becomes the foundation of healthy adulthood.

Finding Help and Hope

At Dayspring Behavioral Health, we understand how confusing these years can be—for both teens and parents. Our clinicians specialize in helping teenage boys and young men uncover what’s really driving their behavior and emotions. Through individualized assessment and therapy, we help families rebuild connection, restore motivation, and strengthen resilience.

If your son seems withdrawn, unmotivated, or “checked out,” don’t wait for it to pass. With the right support, he can learn to understand himself better and regain confidence in who he’s becoming.

Because he’s not lazy—he just needs help finding his way.

Oct 16
Love0

Perimenopause or ADHD? Understanding the Overlap in Midlife

By Women's Issues

Midlife is a time of transition for many women. As hormone levels shift and life demands grow, it’s common to experience changes in mood, focus, memory, and energy. For some, these changes signal the beginning of perimenopause and menopause. For others, they may be signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—or perhaps both. Because the symptoms overlap, many women go undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or struggle to find clarity.

This post explores how hormonal fluctuations, estrogen levels, and executive functioning intersect—and how to tell when you might be facing perimenopause, ADHD, or a combination of both.

Why the Overlap Happens: Hormones, the Brain, and ADHD

Estrogen isn’t just a reproductive hormone—it has far-reaching effects on the brain. It helps regulate dopamine and serotonin, which are key in attention, motivation, mood regulation, and executive functioning.

As estrogen levels decline during the lead up to menopause, these neurotransmitter systems become less stable. That instability can mimic or intensify ADHD symptoms, especially in women who already have ADHD or traits that were previously mild or unnoticed.

Many women report that their focus, memory, and emotional regulation—once manageable—begin to feel more fragile during this phase of life. This is why midlife is a common time for women to be diagnosed with ADHD for the first time, or to feel that their existing ADHD has worsened.

Common Symptoms That Overlap

Both ADHD and perimenopause can cause similar cognitive and emotional challenges. Women often describe:

  • Persistent brain fog or forgetfulness
  • Increased irritability or mood swings
  • Difficulty with organization, time management, and planning
  • Fatigue or disrupted sleep
  • Heightened anxiety or feelings of overwhelm

These experiences can affect emotional stability, relationships, and work performance. Because symptoms fluctuate with hormone levels, many women are left wondering whether it’s a hormonal change, ADHD, or a mood disorder—when in reality, it may be both.

What Women Report

Many women in midlife describe a sudden shift in their ability to function day to day. They say things like:

  • “I used to be sharp at work, but now I can’t remember simple details.”
  • “I feel scattered and unmotivated, even with things I care about.”
  • “My moods swing from fine to frustrated in minutes.”
  • “It feels like I have menopause brain all the time.”

These reports reflect how deeply menopause affects not only physical health but also hormone health and cognition. For women with ADHD, these transitions often magnify preexisting struggles with focus, follow-through, and emotional regulation.

Even women who never noticed ADHD traits before may start to see patterns that were once hidden by structure, energy, or hormonal balance.

Why Hormones Play Such a Big Role

Estrogen helps support attention, memory, and emotional steadiness. When estrogen levels start to decline, dopamine production drops, and the brain’s ability to sustain focus and regulate emotion becomes more difficult. This creates what many call menopause brain—a sense of fogginess, forgetfulness, or detachment.

Meanwhile, the menstrual cycle during perimenopause becomes irregular, causing fluctuations in hormone levels that directly affect mood and concentration. This means one week may feel productive and stable, while the next feels emotionally draining and unfocused.

For women already prone to ADHD symptoms, these swings can feel like losing control over their own minds.

How to Tell What’s Going On

It’s not always about deciding whether it’s perimenopause or ADHD—it might be both. Understanding what’s contributing most can help guide the right treatment approach.

  1. Take a thorough history

Start by identifying when symptoms began. If focus and organization have been lifelong struggles that worsened during midlife, ADHD could be the underlying factor. If symptoms appeared suddenly alongside hot flashes, irregular cycles, or fatigue, hormonal shifts may play a larger role.

  1. Get a professional assessment

A comprehensive ADHD assessment can clarify whether symptoms fit the pattern of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or are more related to hormonal or emotional changes. Neuropsychological testing can reveal strengths and weaknesses in executive functioning, working memory, and attention.

Additionally, lab work to check hormone levels—such as estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and thyroid—can help determine where you are in the perimenopause and menopause process.

  1. Track symptoms in relation to your cycle

Monitoring mood, sleep, and attention across the menstrual cycle can reveal patterns tied to hormonal fluctuations. For example, if symptoms consistently worsen right before a period, hormones may be a major factor.

  1. Observe how you respond to treatment

If hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or lifestyle changes improve brain fog and emotional steadiness, that suggests hormones are driving much of the issue. If ADHD medication or structured behavioral strategies provide relief, the neurological component may be stronger.

Often, the best outcomes come from addressing both simultaneously.

The Dual Approach to Healing

Because hormones and brain chemistry are so interconnected, an integrative approach often works best.

Supporting Hormone Health

  • Consider HRT: For some women, balancing estrogen levels through HRT can ease mood swings, improve clarity, and reduce brain fog.
  • Prioritize sleep and nutrition: Both support stable hormones and better focus.
  • Reduce stress: Chronic stress can worsen both ADHD and hormonal imbalance.

Addressing ADHD Directly

  • Medication (when appropriate): Stimulant or non-stimulant medication can help regulate focus, energy, and executive functioning.
  • Cognitive-behavioral strategies: External reminders, planners, and ADHD coaching can help manage overwhelm and disorganization.
  • Therapeutic support: Therapy focused on emotional regulation can help manage irritability and prevent burnout.

When both systems are supported—the hormonal and the neurological—women often notice a stronger sense of control, clearer thinking, and steadier moods.

What to Expect

It’s normal for symptoms to ebb and flow during midlife as hormone levels fluctuate. However, if your ability to function, focus, or manage mood feels significantly impaired, professional help can make all the difference.

If you’ve already been diagnosed with ADHD, discuss the impact of hormonal changes with your clinician. Adjustments to your treatment plan—whether medication, therapy, or lifestyle—may be needed.

If you’ve never been evaluated for ADHD but now experience increasing forgetfulness, disorganization, or irritability, consider a professional assessment that includes both hormone and cognitive factors.

A Real-Life Example

Take Anna, a 47-year-old professional and mother. She always juggled multiple roles successfully but recently started forgetting deadlines, losing her train of thought mid-conversation, and crying over small frustrations. She assumed it was stress—until her doctor mentioned perimenopause.

After testing, Anna learned that her estrogen levels were dropping, contributing to hormonal fluctuations and poor sleep. But an ADHD evaluation also showed difficulties with executive functioning that had been masked for years by structure and support.

Her care plan included hormone replacement therapy, ADHD-friendly organization tools, and therapy focused on emotional regulation. Within months, she noticed better focus, fewer mood swings, and a calmer, clearer mindset.

When to Seek Help

If you feel like you’re losing your edge, constantly exhausted, or “not yourself,” you don’t have to just power through. An individualized assessment can help determine whether you’re experiencing menopause affects or the signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—and guide you toward real, evidence-based solutions.

Through comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment, we help you understand what’s happening and develop a plan that restores balance—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

You deserve to feel focused, capable, and at peace with yourself again. Whether your challenges stem from perimenopause, ADHD, or both, the right support can make all the difference. Call Dayspring Behavioral Health today to learn more.

Sep 12
Love0

Supporting Your Child Through Parental Separation or Divorce

By Family Therapy

When parents face the difficult decision of separation or divorce, the effects ripple through the entire family. Children of any age—whether they are young children in preschool or older children navigating adolescence—are especially sensitive to these changes. While adults may focus on legal details, finances, and co-parenting logistics, children of divorce often experience deep emotional shifts. They may feel sad, confused, or even guilty about what’s happening.

The good news is that, with the right support, children can learn to cope with divorce in healthy ways. Research shows that most children of divorce adapt well over time, especially when parents provide stability, reassurance, and the opportunity to maintain a relationship with both parents.

This blog will explore how children feel during separation or divorce, what parents can do to support them, and strategies to strengthen family relationships during this transition.

How Children Feel During Separation or Divorce

Children feel the weight of family changes differently depending on their age and personality. Some withdraw and become quiet, while others act out in anger. Many simply feel sad but don’t know how to express it.

  • Young children may not understand what divorce means. They might assume the parent who moves out is gone forever or worry that the other parent will leave, too. Because their thinking is concrete, they often blame themselves for the separation, believing they did something wrong.
  • School-aged children are more aware of conflict. They may feel torn between loyalty to each parent, or worry about what friends and classmates will think. If not reassured, they might internalize guilt or anxiety.
  • Older children and teens often grasp the reasons behind divorce, but that doesn’t mean they are less affected. They may feel anger at one or both parents, question their own future relationships, or step into adult roles too soon, caring for younger siblings or trying to mediate.

Across all ages, children of divorce may show signs of stress: changes in appetite or sleep, academic struggles, behavioral outbursts, or regression in younger children. Parents should watch for these signals and respond with patience and empathy.

Why Children Need Support

It’s natural for parents to feel overwhelmed during divorce. But children rely on parents for stability, security, and love. Supporting children through this period isn’t just about easing their sadness in the short term—it’s also about protecting their long-term wellbeing.

Research shows that cooperative co-parenting and stable routines lead to healthier emotional, social, and academic outcomes. When children know they are loved by both parents, they are more likely to develop resilience. On the other hand, when they are caught in the middle of parental conflict, children feel isolated and stressed.

Simply put: the way parents handle their separation or divorce has a direct impact on how well their children cope with separation.

Practical Ways to Support Children

  1. Create Stability Through Routines

In uncertain times, routines provide comfort. Regular mealtimes, consistent child care arrangements, and predictable schedules help children know what to expect. Even small rituals—like bedtime stories or weekly family dinners—become anchors of stability.

  1. Encourage Honest Expression

When a child feels sad, angry, or confused, validate their emotions instead of brushing them aside. Phrases like, “I can see you’re upset. It’s okay to feel that way” show children their emotions are valid. Invite them to ask questions and answer honestly in age-appropriate language.

  1. Maintain a Relationship with Both Parents

Unless safety is a concern, children benefit from spending time with both parents. Encourage them to enjoy activities with their other parent without guilt. Remind them that it’s healthy and normal to love both parents equally.

  1. Keep Conflict Away From Children

Children should not feel like messengers or referees. Avoid arguing in front of them or speaking negatively about the child’s other parent. Respectful co-parenting models problem-solving and teaches children that even strained family relationships can be managed with dignity.

  1. Focus on Developmental Needs
  • Young children thrive on reassurance and consistency. Explain changes simply: “Mom and Dad live in different houses now, but we both love you.”
  • School-aged children may need extra encouragement to share feelings. Offer outlets like journaling, drawing, or conversations with trusted adults.
  • Older children benefit from involvement in family planning—like helping decide visitation schedules—while still being reminded that the ultimate responsibility lies with parents.
  1. Model Healthy Coping

Children watch how parents handle stress. If a parent copes with divorce through shouting or withdrawal, children may imitate those patterns. But if parents show resilience—seeking counseling, leaning on supportive friends, and practicing self-care—children learn healthier strategies.

  1. Seek Professional Help if Needed

Sometimes, sadness lingers or behavioral changes intensify. Professional counseling, whether individual therapy or family sessions, can give children the tools to cope with separation. Therapists provide a safe space where children can express fears they might hesitate to share with parents.

Nurturing Family Relationships Post-Divorce

Even after parents divorce, children still need the experience of family. It just may look different than before. Family relationships can remain strong when parents commit to cooperation and respect.

  • Shared parenting plans should prioritize children’s needs above convenience or conflict.
  • Special events and holidays may require new traditions. Flexibility and a willingness to collaborate make these moments less stressful.
  • Extended family involvement—grandparents, aunts, uncles—gives children more sources of love and stability.

Parents who intentionally preserve family bonds teach their children that relationships can evolve without disappearing.

What Research Shows About Resilience

While divorce is undeniably challenging, most children of divorce adjust well over time. Studies consistently find that the majority grow into capable, emotionally healthy adults. What makes the difference is not the divorce itself but how parents handle it.

Children who receive warmth, clear communication, and opportunities to maintain close ties with both parents are less likely to struggle long-term. On the other hand, prolonged exposure to parental conflict, instability, or neglect increases the risk of behavioral or academic problems.

This means that parents have significant power to shape their child’s future, even in the midst of separation or divorce.

Supporting Parents to Support Children

Caring for children during divorce requires parents to care for themselves, too. Parents who neglect their own mental health often find it harder to support their children. Consider these steps:

  • Build your own support network. Friends, family, or support groups provide perspective and relief.
  • Engage in self-care. Exercise, healthy eating, rest, and hobbies reduce stress.
  • Seek counseling. Therapy isn’t just for children; it can help parents navigate emotions, reduce conflict, and build stronger co-parenting skills.

When parents feel grounded, they are better able to meet the emotional and practical needs of their children.

Final Thoughts

Parental separation or divorce marks a significant change in family life, but it doesn’t have to define a child’s future. While children may feel sad, angry, or anxious, these emotions are natural responses to transition. With consistent care, open communication, and supportive family relationships, children of any age can learn to cope with divorce in healthy ways.

Parents who prioritize stability, respect the child’s relationship with both parents, and model healthy coping strategies create the best conditions for resilience. Remember: supporting children through divorce is not about making the sadness disappear—it’s about walking alongside them until they find strength on the other side.

If you or your family are struggling, professional counseling can provide guidance and support tailored to your unique situation. At Dayspring Behavioral Health, we’re here to help families cope with separation, rebuild connection, and create hopeful futures.