My child is suicidal.
What do I do to help?
—Submitted by user
Jenna Riemersma
LPC | Clinical Director | Core Faculty
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My daughter is 13, was bullied at school and has become extremely disengaged. She is almost always alone in her room. After weeks of working with the school on a plan to ease her back in, she agreed to try going back to school for 2.5 hours. After I dropped her off, and made sure she would be okay, and she had a teacher supporting her, she ran away from school and called me. I wasn’t angry. We talked and she knows we are there for her. But I’m broken. What are some steps that we can take to help her heal so she can return to school and other activities she used to enjoy?
Dr. Kevin Skinner, LMFT, CSAT-S, Core Faculty
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My 15 year old son has had anxiety since he was 10 years old. He refused to attend school in 4th grade. What began as a few days off here and there grew to days, weeks, months, until we couldn’t get him out of the car. We tried working with the school psychologist, we even tried moving schools, but it didn’t work. He has started taking medication, which has helped a little. He spends most of his time in his room, barely interacts with the family and will not go to any family outings. I’m completely burned out.
Dr. Kevin Skinner, LMFT, CSAT-S, Core Faculty
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What to do if your teenage son won’t even talk to you or his therapist? He has isolated himself from the rest of the family and has shown a lot of disrespect.
Dr. Kevin Skinner, LMFT, CSAT-S, Core Faculty
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My 33 year old daughter recently moved back in with me with her six kids and I realize that she doesn’t parent at all. And, my daughter does not work and expects me to pay all the bills. She’s not even taking care of the house or cleaning up herself. If I say anything she doesn’t like she threatens to move out and not let me see my grandkids. I’m at my wits end what do I do?
Dr. Kevin Skinner, LMFT, CSAT-S, Core Faculty
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My husband the father of my children passed in 2009. I noticed some time after that my son was lying a lot. My son is now 18 and lies about everything. I don’t understand why anyone would lie like this. I taught my children the importance of being honest and l have done my best to lead by example.
Dr. Kevin Skinner, LMFT, CSAT-S, Core Faculty
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My 19 year old daughter moved out of our home in May and is living with a man 10 years older than her. For many reasons, we believe she may have a sexual addiction. We would like to bring up this idea of addiction with her but want to do it in the best, most loving way. Any ideas how we can encourage her to consider this possibility of addiction when she lives far away from us?
Dr. Kevin Skinner, LMFT, CSAT-S, Core Faculty
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I caught my 11 year old self-harming and I don’t know what to do.
Dr. Kevin Skinner, LMFT, CSAT-S, Core Faculty
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