How Can Periscope and Snap Chat Transform Your Family's Communication - Comprehensive Tips from a Family Therapist

[image courtesy of nenetus at FreeDigitalPhotos.net]

So often I am presented in a therapy session with the issue of Family Time and Communication - in today's world, it is hard to balance work life, personal time, and being present for our partner and children. Or if the time is available, families are not always sure exactly how to connect - especially with teens. Parents can feel like no matter what they try, their child is uninterested in talking with them. They pick them up from school and ask, "How was your day?" only to get a neutral, tight-lipped response. Or they try taking them out for something "fun" only to get the same reaction as always - short sentences that don't reveal much.

One suggestion I make is to connect with a person by meeting them where they are at, and in the case of trying to connect with kids and teens, where they are at is usually online! There are many social media platforms for a reason, people love to be in communication with one another - especially your teenager!

Since your kids are more than likely spending most of their time and energy on their phone or tablet, why not try connecting with them there? Sites like Snap Chat, Facebook, Twitter, and Periscope may sound overwhelming at first but they don't have to be. Many of the families I work with start with almost zero knowledge in navigating social media. I work with teens a lot in my practice, therefore, I make it my business to know about trends and popular media, but I understand that the average working adult does not have time to do the same. For this reason, I have put together a short list of ways to use popular sites to a family's advantage.

I'm going to give a few examples and break it down so that it is simple and easy to apply right away. Find what works for you - for some, one site/application may fit better than others or you may choose to use all of them in different ways:

Nakya Reeves, LMFT cited in Ebony Magazine article - "16 Rules for Back to School"

Just in time for the back to school season, Ebony Magazine has released an article, "16 Rules for Back to School" by Nina Malkin, in their August 2015 issue - in which I had the pleasure of being cited as an expert source! The article is a wonderful aid for parents who are getting ready for the upcoming school year, whether dealing with first time Kindergarteners or children who transitioning back into the groove. "Ebony got together with experts, bloggers, and real parents like you, culling their best tips and techniquest to make the school year as easy as A-B-C" (quote from the article).

It covers helpful routines, handling the morning, what to do about bullying, learning challenges, and more! I was able to give a little insight that relates to the issues I encounter with families I see in therapy.

Here's a little of what I had to say for the article:

CST Recommendation: Film, "Depression: Out of the Shadows"

During my time working at an inpatient treatment facility for substance-using teens, I spent a lot of time looking for videos to show them. One particular day, I found this film at a local library, "Depression: Out of the Shadows" and I was so happy I did! It's a very informative film, but despite its educational format, most of the teens were glued to the screen.