Amel Counseling and Consulting

This has been a tumultuous week. But it’s 2020 so I should be used to that. As much as this society wants me to swallow the poison of apathy and stagnation, I will not. This is a week of mourning, injustice, and cruelty. It isn’t new, it’s exhausting, and infuriating. My purpose is for others. I helped young black girls communicate in creative ways, express their emotions unapologetically, demonstrate self-compassion, and find their voices against misogyny. All in the span o...f 3 hours. How dope is that? So while the world outside is swirling, storming, and spitting I’ll be inside helping the next generation to calm it. We will sleep easy in our beds, and know that those who dare violate us will receive just consequences. #blacklivesmatter #breonnataylor #saytheirnames #nojusticenopeace #decolonize #representationmatters #antiracistparenting #blacktherapists #therapistsofinstagram

Drawing challenge with a kiddo. I presented my turtle and was swiftly corrected that it was a tortoise. I was given mild approval for its cuteness. Kids are tough critics * *... #shmillie #blackchildtherapist #therapistsofinstagram #childtherapist #playtherapy #playisimportant #blacktherapists #teletherapy See more

Manipulative or Clever? Clingy or Attached? Words are so powerful, especially when describing behaviors. They provide filters for how we view our kids’ motivations. My 3 year old Axel is very talented in getting his needs met. This may involve him crawling into my lap (his current location) or pulling me away from my computer to play (see a pattern), or specifically asking for something. When I’m stressed AF all those things feel intrusive, clingy, demanding, and whiny. It d...id’t today. What’s different you ask? Me. Oh I’m still stressed AF ( are y’all parenting, scratching, and surviving COVID?!) and I did just chew out my husband (sorry Omi). I was still able to pour a bit more grace and patience out of my cup. I filled it by doing restorative things- I wore my favorite colors today (I may have been a queen bee in a past life ), accomplished a small task, ate meals, and listened to happy music throughout the day. Cue eye rolls and naysaying . Small restorative acts throughout the day can refill your cup, leaving you less stressed and more emotionally available for your little beings. So what small things can you donthroughout the day to fill your cup? Need more? Therapy available for PA residents - Schedule free 15 phone consultations (link in bio) Parent coaching now available!!! @askamel.co Join email list to get access to my latest Back to School video (link in bio) My Instagram is for educational purposes only and is not therapy or professional coaching. #childtherapy #therapy #mentalhealth #playtherapy #mordernparenting # #familytherapy #therapist #self-compassion #childtherapist #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #counseling #parenting #covidparenting #blackchildtherapist #blacktherapistsrock #teletherapy #teleplay #selfregulation #selfcareisntselfish #intentionalparenting #childanxiety #positiveparenting #childpsychology #consciousparenting #shmillie

Need more? Therapy available for PA residents - Schedule free 15 phone consultations (link in bio) Follow @askamel.co for updates on the Modern Parenting Groups, coaching 1:1s, and parenting blogs (link in bio)... My Instagram is for educational purposes only and is not therapy. * * #childtherapy #therapy #mentalhealth #playtherapy #familytherapy #therapist #mentalhealthawareness #childtherapist #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #counseling #parenting #consciousparenting #positiveparenting #teletherapy #teleplay #selfregulation #intentionalparenting #blackchildtherapist #blackfamilytherapy #blacktherapist #backtoschool2020 #childanxiety #positiveparenting #childpsychology #shmillie #virtualschool

Happy Sunday! Every week I feel like there is a common thread through each session. This week- Stillness. I was reminded that stillness is ok. Kids listened to my all my well meaning questions. They all gently informed me that they didn’t want to think about school, and wanted to enjoy themselves. Which makes sense. Kids are about enter into the unknown- the 2020 school year. So I fell back and met each where they were. I still encouraged earlier bedtimes, balanced meals, an...d physical activity. We still played, laughed, and recapped shows. Let’s be clear, stillness is not inertia. It isn’t being stuck. However, we may feel like it is. We often try to push our kids through inertia fearing they will be perpetually stuck. Approach with curiosity and compassion. Give space and allow kids to be in the moment for a bit. How do handle the calm before the storm? Are you able to sit with the stillness, or does it bring out anxiety? Let me know below! ******************* * * Need more? Therapy available for PA residents - Schedule free 15 phone consultations (link in bio) Follow @askamel.co for updates on the Modern Parenting Groups, coaching 1:1s, and parenting blogs (link in bio) My Instagram is for educational purposes only and is not therapy. * * #childtherapy #therapy #mentalhealth #playtherapy #familytherapy #therapist #mentalhealthawareness #childtherapist #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #counseling #parenting #consciousparenting #positiveparenting #teletherapy #teleplay #selfregulation #blackchildtherapist #blacktherapist #screentime #backtoschool2020 #childanxiety #positiveparenting #childpsychology #shmillie #virtualschool

Y’all, I love some balloons. What else can occupy your kids for a bit, help your talk about emotions, or practice breathing exercises? Here’s one way I use them in session - Emoji Balloons. Draw an emoji, or let the kid. Talk about some times they felt that way. Then asked them what they want to do with the emoji. In a pinch, I’ve even drawn the balloons and drew faces on them. Be creative and fun! I hope it helps! Need more?... Therapy available for PA residents - Schedule free 15 phone consultations (link in bio) Follow @askamel.co for updates on the Modern Parenting Groups, coaching 1:1s, and parenting blogs (link in bio) My Instagram is for educational purposes only and is not therapy. * * #childtherapy #therapy #mentalhealth #playtherapy #familytherapy #teletherapy #therapist #mentalhealthawareness #childtherapist #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #counseling #parenting #consciousparenting #positiveparenting #teletherapy #teleplay #selfregulation #balckchildtherapist #backtoschool2020 #childanxiety #positiveparenting #childpsychology #shmillie #teachkidsemotions #blacktherapistsrock #phillychildtherapist

Yo, it’s the middle of August... . How can time fly and drag?! So I’m preparation of school Operation: Get Our Lives Right Before School has commenced in the Poitevien household. First up, reign in screen time. Here’s what I did. After a few false starts (me speaking like a therapist and my husband staring blankly) I went back to basics. My kids look at visuals. So I whipped up a few with responsibility charts on Canva. I adjusted them accordingly for a pre-reader and ...early reader. I explained them to kids how they could earn screen time and they appeared interested. More importantly they actually did the tasks. As always, I approached this with **Consistency, clarity, and compassion** 1. It’s on you to consistently and hold boundaries. 2. Ensure expectations are clear to your kids. Meet them where they are developmentally. 3. Lastly, be kind and empathic. My wording in the signs leaned from neutral to positive. Set fair and realistic expectations for kids to meet. Try it out and let me know how it goes! Need more? Therapy available for PA residents - Schedule free 15 phone consultations (link in bio) Follow @askamel.co for updates on the Modern Parenting Groups, coaching 1:1s, and parenting blogs (link in bio) My Instagram is for educational purposes only and is not therapy. * * #childtherapy #therapy #mentalhealth #playtherapy #familytherapy #therapist #mentalhealthawareness #childtherapist #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #counseling #parenting #consciousparenting #positiveparenting #teletherapy #teleplay #selfregulation #videogametherapy #screentime #backtoschool2020 #childanxiety #positiveparenting #childpsychology #shmillie #virtualschool

Y’all, these parenting streets have been rough lately. I’ve been there (this morning). Tears, yells, moping, crying, or flat out ignoring directions. So here are some strategies to reduce tantrums and power struggles. I approach clients and my own kids using 3 Cs - consistency, compassion, and clarity. Be consistent with general expectations and how you show up. Schedules and routines are great for this. Invest in self care so you can remain stable and present, which is r...eally what kids need. Approach with love and compassion. Kids are feeling all the feels just like us. We get to scroll social media, chat on the phone, or play our own games. This is how many of us cope. Imagine if someone came and pulled the plug on you. I would guess you’d be flailing too. Be crystal clear about your expectations. When? For how long? What must they do before? Even answer why. Clarifying is not giving away power. Your position diminishes without clarity. Hope those were helpful! Need more? Therapy available for PA residents - Schedule free 15 phone consultations (link in bio) Follow @askamel.co for updates on the Modern Parenting Groups, coaching 1:1s, and parenting blogs (link in bio) My Instagram is for educational purposes only and is not therapy. #childtherapy #therapy #mentalhealth #wfhmom #familytherapy #therapist #mentalhealthawareness #childtherapist #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #counseling #parenting #covidparenting #covidparent #teletherapy #teleplay #selfregulation #consciousparentingtools #positiveparenting #childpsychology #shmillie

Saturday morning sessions with me and my puppet pal Terry. We had an amazing chat with unicorn twins, a scorpion, and a rainbow bear. There may have been a kid present, who knows? * * #therapistsofinstagram #childtherapy #playtherapy #childpsychology #blacktherapistsrock #childanxiety #traumatherapy #blacktherapist

Ever want a jolt of wellness inserted into your schedule but not sure where or how to get started? What about free and relevant trainings every morning (for free) for a week? I've been waiting to share that FREE The Accelerate Wellness Summit is officially here! It's a week of free trainings, coaching, and teaching where you'll be able to transform your wellness in a transformative week! Join me and other amazing presenters where you'll learn:... - The Importance of Social Wellness w/ @thetherafriendnetwork @ctrlshiftbalance @janay_lcsw - Work-Life Fusion - Conscious Parenting w/ @ameltherapy - Re-dreaming your life w/ @laurenselfridgeofficial - Developing your personal brand in the wellness world w/ @shiekina.co @kinacreative - Self-compassion for calm and confidence w/ @salina.grilli - Flow to accelerate Wellness w/ @drjuliacolangelo - Wellness through good and bad times w/ @velocityvisionsinc - Moving beyond shame toward belonging, wholeness, and authenticity It's a give back from these amazing inspiring leaders and healers to support you during this time where we all some goodness in our lives. Link in bio to sign up today! PS: Your wellness can't wait! . . . . . . #wellness #wellnessmatters #wellnessjourney #acceleratewellness #acceleratewellnesssummit #transformationjourney #mentalhealthmatters #therapistsofig #therapistsofinstagram #entrepreneur #goalgetter #kindentrepreneurs #socialentrepreneur #takeaction #mentalhealthawareness #wellnesstips #wellnessthatworks #evidencebased #evidencedbasedpractice #personalbranding #wellnesscoach #wellnessfromtheinsideout #radicalacceptance #radicalselflove #worklifebalance #millenialtherapist #consciousparenting #consciousness #mindfulparenting #mindfulwellness

Summer is here and for many camp isn’t. Sending kids out to play with friends is unlikely too. So kids May have difficulty occupying their time, AKA meeting their social-emotional needs. Parents often here kids complaining about being bored or super focused on screens. Screens are great until they aren’t. Kids need structured and unstructured time. One of the best ways I’ve found to achieve this is with a schedule. I’m not big on rigid structure, but a general idea and clear... expectations makes things a lot smoother. I don’t have the time or energy to reinvent the wheel. So I find schedules on Pinterest and adapt them for my family’s needs. Posting a schedule in a common area is ideal. I recommend posting routines in bedrooms and bathrooms. This will encourage independence and may alleviate some boredom (one can hope). Hope this helps! For more tips and videos click the link in my bio #parenting #covid19parenting #childtherapy #preschoolparents #nosummerbreak #consciousparenting #consciousparentingtools #blackparents #covidsummer2020 #workfromhomelife

Happy Juneteenth y’all! In celebration of freedom I’m making bomb food and rocking what I want. This shirt from @1messybun sums up how it feels for me to move in the world as a black woman. We have to constantly present as pleasing, disarming, and submissive. I’ve been told to smile, speak softly, choose words carefully, and not make waves countless times. So I began to wear a mask. And that mask is heavy, draining, at times dehumanizing, and demoralizing. After a while you b...ecome mean. Mean is often depressed, angry, constricted, hopeless, and scared. Verbalizing and documentation lead to pushback. Instead of people helping with these issues, your feelings are invalidated and you’re told to wear the mask for your own good. Who is it really helping? It’s taken me over 30 years to finally say enough! It is my choice to smile, give grace, etc. I teach kids that every emotion they feel is valid and valuable. They have the right and can learn how to show them. It starts with the first fix your face. Stop and think about why someone’s non verbal response is so triggering. Maybe they don’t realize it. Maybe they, like me suffer from RBF. What would happen if you just asked how they were feeling? #blacktherapists #juneteenth #blacktherapistsrock #blackwomenrock #blackwoman #therapyforblackgirls #therapyforblackboys #blackfeminism #childtherapist #childtherapy See more

Can I be real? It’s been rough some days. Being a mom and child therapist has me pulling double duty for little people’s emotions. My cup runs dry so I turn to play. The power of play is amazing. Unstructured spontaneous play is a favorite in my house. For us it’s hiding in a cardboard rocket, tickling, a quick game of Simon Says, or blowing bubbles. Brief, fun, loving actions that lessen the weight of the world. So turn on your favorite song for a dance party, play Red light Green Light. Try I Spy using your senses. I promise in 5 minutes you’ll feel a little looser and lighter. Be kind to yourselves! #blackparents #childtherapy #covidparenting #blacktherapists #blacktherapistsrock #playtherapy #selfcompassion

Your kids are ready to talk about race. Are you? Kids as young as 2 can experience racial bias. Parents miss teachable moments when fear of getting it wrong takes over. I want to dispel 5 myths about discussing race with your child. #antiracism #antiracistparenting #childtherapistlife #parenting #blm #beanally #raisingallies https://www.instagram.com/tv/CBE6wEnABHE/