Ardent Psychological Services, PLLC

06/29/2026

Therapy and medication. How do they go together?

That really depends on factors like acuity, or how bad the person is feeling. Sometimes working with a good therapist who develops a good treatment plan and uses an evidence based approach is enough. Sometimes a person feels so bad that they don’t have the mental band width to engage in treatment and make changes in their life.

The diagnosis or diagnoses you have also play a role in whether or not you would benefit from medication alongside therapy. Sometimes the need for medication is ongoing for diagnoses like bipolar disorder. For diagnoses like depression or anxiety, medication can be used as a short-term tool to decrease symptoms allowing the client to engage in treatment and make the changes needed in daily life in order to ultimately no longer need medication. If you are wondering whether or not you need medication to treat your mental health symptoms having a psychological evaluation done by a psychologist can ensure you know what your diagnosis is and will help clarify the degree to which symptoms impact your daily life too. Your psychologist can provide referrals to talk a psychiatrist when needed.

Ardent Psychological Services, PLLC Address: 180 State Street, Suite 225 Southlake, TX 76092 Phone number: (682) 477-8884 E-mail: [email protected]

06/23/2026

How can I help my child decrease stimming behavior?

I responded to a parents question and thought it is worth sharing that information on my page.

I would ask your ABA therapist to help you look at the ABCs of this behavior. Antecedents, Behavior and Consequences. This is fancy behavioral language for what happens before the behavior, the behavior itself, and what happens after the behavior. Stimming typically occurs to self-regulate and is a coping mechanism used when feeling overstimulated, to release pent up energy, or to process big emotions like excitement. Once you have an idea of what the triggers are for stimming you can implement preventative strategies which will likely reduce stimming. For example, you can create a sensory space in your home for your child that they can go to when feeling overstimulated. You may also try finding ways to allow your child to release pent up energy. Having said all that stimming itself is not harmful as long as it doesn’t involve self-harm. It’s a self-soothing behavior. Whether neurodivergent or not we all have self-soothing behaviors.

Ardent Psychological Services, PLLC Address: 180 State Street, Suite 225 Southlake, TX 76092 Phone number: (682) 477-8884 E-mail: [email protected]

06/23/2026

This is a response I gave when a parent asked what they could do to help their child to decrease stimming behavior.

I would ask your ABA therapist to help you look at the ABCs of this behavior. Antecedents, Behavior and Consequences. This is fancy behavioral language for what happens before the behavior, the behavior itself, and what happens after the behavior. Stimming typically occurs to self-regulate and is a coping mechanism used when feeling overstimulated, to release pent up energy, or to process big emotions like excitement. Once you have an idea of what the triggers are for stimming you can implement preventative strategies which will likely reduce stimming. For example, you can create a sensory space in your home for your child that they can go to when feeling overstimulated. You may also try finding ways to allow your child to release pent up energy. Having said all that stimming itself is not harmful as long as it doesn’t involve self-harm. It’s a self-soothing behavior. Whether neurodivergent or not we all have self-soothing behaviors.

Ardent Psychological Services, PLLC Address: 180 State Street, Suite 225 Southlake, TX 76092 Phone number: (682) 477-8884 E-mail: [email protected]

03/30/2026

How is therapy with teenagers different?

When working with teenagers it is important that the teenagers and his or her parents understand the parameters needed for effective treatment.

The trickiest part of therapy with teens is that parents want to know what their child is thinking and feeling, and how to support them when they need it. However, if the teen thinks that things he or she says are communicated directly to parents by the therapist without his or her knowledge, the teen is not likely to engage in therapy in a meaningful way.

It is important to have a conversation at the onset of therapy about what these boundaries will look like and that both the teen and parents are in agreement. Obviously any safety concerns are always brought to the parents attention immediately to ensure the teen is safe.

An empowering approach is crucial for the teen to maintain a therapeutic alliance with their therapist. The therapist can help facilitate an open dialogue between parent and child when the teen is willing and ready.

It is also important that teens are given the opportunity to explore their own goals for therapy.Psychoeducation is often an important component of therapy (e.g., as they relate to topics like drug use). Dynamics with peers, peer pressure, anxiety regarding school work, and developing healthy coping strategies are also common topics in therapy.

Ardent Psychological Services offers individual therapy for teenagers as well as and family therapy. Services are offered virtually and in person in any PSYPACT State AL, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.