Well Being Therapy Center

07/09/2026

Boredom is a good thing! Here are a few ways to embrace boredom this summer:
1. Pause before solving the problem. When children say, “I’m bored,” encourage them to brainstorm ideas before offering suggestions.
Try saying: "That's good! I know you'll figure out something fun to do."

2. Make an activity jar together. Write down simple, screen-free ideas and let children choose one whenever they need inspiration.

3. Encourage creativity. Open-ended activities like drawing, building, reading, or imaginative play help children develop important life skills.

4. Allow for downtime. Not every minute needs to be planned. Unstructured time helps children recharge and learn to entertain themselves.

5. Praise independent problem-solving. When children find ways to occupy themselves, they build confidence and learn to trust their own abilities.

Remember, boredom isn’t a sign that children need more to do... it may simply be the space they need to grow.

Here's to Your Well Being (and a wonderful summer filled with boredom!)

06/29/2026

If you have a teenager or know a teenager that is feeling lonely, anxious, worried, and just not getting out of the house enough... our teen groups can help.
Next Group Starts Soon:
Mondays at 6pm
starting July 6th
in our Montville office
Ages 13-16 yrs
Meets weekly for 9 weeks

06/29/2026

Call or email for more info!

06/11/2026

Use these tips to make it a smooth transition:

1. Give Yourself Time to Adjust. Try not to put pressure on yourself to have every day planned out right away. Instead, focus on making small changes and establishing habits gradually as you settle into the change.
Try This: At the end of each day, write down one thing you enjoyed about your day, and one thing you are looking forward to tomorrow.

2. Maintain Some Structure. While summer offers more freedom, keeping a consistent sleep schedule, meal times, and daily activities can help provide stability.
Try This: Choose one part of your routine (like wake-up time or dinner time) and try to keep it consistent most days of the week.

3. Set Small Goals. Whether it is reading a certain number of books, learning a new skill, volunteering, or spending time with friends or family, setting goals weekly can create a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Try This: Pick one goal for the week and keep track of it in a Note app, sticky note, or calendar reminder.

Bonus: Tell a friend your goal and ask them to check with you at the end of the week!

06/01/2026

Are Your Kids Turning to AIfor Advice and Support?

Join us as our founder, Lauren Muriello LPC, delivers an eye-opening webinar on how children and teens are really using AI and what it means for their mental health.

See live demos and learn practical ways to guide and protect your child in an ever-changing digital world.

Date: June 9th
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Virtual (Zoom link to follow after registration)
Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/ainj4s
Hosted by: Children's Aid & Family Service / NJ4S Bergen Hub

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

04/21/2026

Hello Friends,

Many of the families we work with find us through someone they trust, like you.

If someone has come to mind recently, like a friend, family member, or another parent navigating something with their child... it’s often not a coincidence.

If you know someone who may be looking for support, feel free to forward this email or share our information with them.

They can book a 15-minute phone consultation to get matched with the right therapist.
👉 Free phone consultation
www.wellbeingtherapycenter.com.

Or contact us directly:
📞 973-794-6888
📧 [email protected]

We're Here to Help,
Lauren

04/13/2026

What if the place your teen feels most comfortable opening up… isn’t with a person, but AI?

While AI can sometimes be a helpful tool in certain moments, it’s not a replacement for real, human support.

As parents, understanding the difference matters.

What parents can do:

1. Help your child understand what AI can and cannot do well
AI can: be a great starting point for reflection. It can help teens put feelings into words or reframe a challenge in the moment.

AI cannot: provide caring guidance, deep empathy, or treatment for your child's specific mental health needs.

2. Short-Term Comfort vs. True Growth
AI tends to validate feelings, which can feel comforting in the moment. But growth comes from being gently challenged, gaining perspective, and learning new ways to think. This is where real conversations with trusted adults make a powerful difference.

3. Make time for real conversations
If teens feel like they can only “talk” to AI, it’s often a sign they’re missing a safe place to be heard in real life. Regular, low-pressure check-ins (car rides, walks, casual moments) help keep connection strong so they don’t turn only to a screen.

4. Watch for over-reliance
If your child is consistently turning to AI instead of friends, family, or other supports, it may be a sign they need more connection or help navigating something difficult. Offer to listen, or to connect them with a trusted adult or professional.

5. Position therapy as real-life, deeper support
Unlike AI, therapy offers real human understanding, nuanced feedback, and the ability to gently challenge unhelpful patterns. It’s not just about feeling heard - it’s about being challenged to self-reflect, push past fears, and build lasting skills. That can best happen in real life.

Technology is here to stay. Our role is to help our kids use it in a way that supports their well being, while making sure they don’t miss out on the truly meaningful connection and growth that only real relationships can provide.

Here's to Your Well Being!

Lauren

Need more support?
I offer parent consultation sessions focused on helping families navigate screen use and social media with clarity and confidence.
Contact us to schedule a private session.

04/10/2026

📱 Did you know? The average teenager spends nearly 7 hours a day on social media. And teens who spend more than 3 hours daily are twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression.

A few signs worth noticing:
🔹 Mood shifts after phone use
🔹 Trouble sleeping
🔹 Pulling away from friends
🔹 Increased irritability

You don't need all the answers. You just need to know the key ways to protect your teens.

💬 How do you navigate screen time in your home? Do you need some quick guidance? This is one of our specialties. We'd love to hear from you.

04/10/2026

Your child doesn't have to navigate big feelings alone. 💙
At Well Being Therapy Center, our child therapists provide a safe, welcoming space where kids can learn to understand their emotions, build confidence, and develop skills that last a lifetime.

Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, school stress, big life changes, or just seems "off" lately, early support can make all the difference. You don't have to wait for things to get harder before reaching out.

As a parent, asking for help is one of the most loving things you can do. 🌱

We'd love to be part of your family's journey toward healing and growth.
👉 Contact us today. We're here to help.

02/04/2026

Listen: Podcast Interview with our Founder, Lauren Muriello LPC

"Navigating the Social Media Age" on The RPS Heath and Wellness Podcast

"If our teenage girls are watching beauty content and diet content... we know it's a slow, subtle yet harmful path to eating disorder content that we need to protect them from."
- Lauren Muriello, LPC
Licensed Therapist, Mom, Educational Speaker

https://www.rutgersprep.org/news-page/latest-news/~board/latest-news-posts/post/the-rps-health-and-wellness-podcast-navigating-the-social-media-age-with-lauren-muriello