Dear Friends,

Here we are in March - the month that comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,  and a month that for some kids, mean spring break.  With  reference to kids, March is an appropriate month for us to feature articles about kids including how to discipline them, how to relate to them, and even how to understand them. 

This month, Cornerstone Professional Counseling Center is pleased to include a new listing to the left of this letter --  our groups for clients.  

If you are a professional, we ask that you notify your clients of any groups that may be appropriate for their needs.  Clients can contact us directly for more information.

Cornerstone Professional Training Institute continues to offer seminars for professionals.  The listings are also to the left.  Our  next seminar is "Trauma Model of Treatment of Spouses of Sex Addicts" from 8:30 to 4:00 on March 16 at Perimeter Church in Alpharetta and is taught  by Barbara Steffens, Ph.D.  Don't miss this opportunity to hear Dr. Steffens give you valuable and contemporary material to assist you in working with your clients.

If you are a client, a professional, or a referral source, we value your opinion and want to hear from you. What groups would you like?  What articles would you like to read and what questions can we answer for you?  Email us as info@cornerstoneprofessional.com with your  comments.

We're proud of all of our services and hope you like them.  If you do,     .

For all of you, we hope that March will be a month of renewal of your mind, body, and soul.  Have a beautiful, carefree spring!

Warmly, 

Richard Blankenship,

Director of Counseling Services

This is the new language of youth. In the past decade, social networks such as Facebook, Myspace, Xanga, and Twitter have exploded to hundreds of millions of members. Face-to-face communication is now considered obsolete. The youth are so involved in the social movement until they have been coined as "digital kids." They would prefer to chat, tweet, text, "poke," or send an electronic message instead of talking. Although I believe that face-to-face communication is the healthiest form of communication, I also believe in reaching the youth by any means necessary.

Personally, I believe that social media has significantly contributed to family/relationship conflict and poor communication skills, and my purpose in writing this article is to provide guardians with an avenue in order to improve communication with their children. I am suggesting that if guardians wish to reach their children, they will need to learn to speak their children's language.  

Much of my experience in the mental health field has been working with children and adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral concerns. On numerous occasions, I and/or the guardian learned of the youth's whereabouts, suicidal thoughts, inappropriate relationships with adults, potentially dangerous behaviors, and gang affiliation by accessing their child's social media account. I know many of you may be thinking that those situations were simply a case of neglect on the guardian's part to monitor, restrict, or even deny the child's access to the Internet.  If the truth be told, the youth can gain access to the Internet in the community just as easily as in the home (for example, using a friend's cell phone while at school). Although many parents attempt to review the site and search for their children, there are many avenues through which children have been able to avoid being detected such as using a nickname, changing the spelling of their name, or making their page private so that others cannot search for them.

Since it is impossible prevent youth from joining social networks, here are some suggestions in order to improve "cyber parenting" and learn your child's language:

1)      Join the social networking site.

I know that many of you have limited to no interest in joining, but it is one of the best ways to bridge the generational gap. At the very least, I suggest that guardians research information about the site, especially privacy settings.  

2)      "Friend" your children.

By making your presence known, your child will be less likely to post inappropriate content. This will also allow you to view your child's page for inappropriate pictures, status messages, posts, and videos.

3)      Set boundaries.

Don't assume that your child knows what your expectations are of him or her. Verbalize what your expectations are as well as the consequences for your child not meeting the expectations. Remember that just like any other rules, they will not work unless you enforce the consequences.

4)      Be open minded.

Keep in mind that everyone communicates differently. Some children may have poor social skills which may make it more difficult to communicate verbally than electronically. Some children may be embarrassed or anxious to discuss certain topics with their parents. Information obtained on the child's site may be a perfect icebreaker to discuss difficult topics.

5)      GET INVOLVED!!!

There is no way to know what your child is communicating when they say ROFL, SN, LMBA, TTYL, or IDK if you do not take interest in learning your child's language.

For help with more techniques in order to improve communication with your child or to address emotional or behavioral disturbances, contact me for information on individual and family sessions. I can be reached at 770-457-3028 or at Lakeah@Cornerstoneprofessional.net.                               

Cornerstone Professional  Center has two entities:

• Cornerstone Professional Counseling Center, and
• Cornerstone Professional Training Institute.

Cornerstone Professional Counseling Center has counselors to provide therapy to you at four locations:  Dunwoody (our main office), Gwinnett, Cumming, and Duluth.  This Center specializes in sexual addiction but addresses most mental health concerns as well. Counselors have varied backgrounds and specialties and you can make an appointment by calling 770-457-3028. 

Cornerstone Professional Training Institute offers continuing education for professional counselors and offers CEUs approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors.  Training is offered onsite at our Dunwoody location.

We also offer training for clients.  Email us at info@cornerstoneprofessional.com and tell us what topics you would like us to offer and we will arrange training for clients or professional counselors.

I know to help people, one of the most important things is that they feel a 

I especially enjoy helping couples and families strengthen their bonds to 

Cornerstone Professional Counseling Center