Articles
Explore stories, guidance and professional insight on the mental health and well-being of children, adolescents and families.
How to Help a Teen With Body Image Issues
Your teen stands in front of the mirror and pulls at their shirt. They change clothes three times before school, refuse to be in pictures or stop wearing things they used to love. You tell them they look beautiful or fine. They roll their eyes, shut the door and both of you leave the conversation feeling
When Are Tantrums Not Normal? 7 Signs to Look For
Tantrums can be loud, exhausting, and deeply personal, especially when your child seems to save the biggest ones for you. Most tantrums are part of growing up, but some are signals that a child needs more support than patience and consequences alone can provide.
The Girl Who Needed To Be in Charge
Some children don’t just prefer to be in charge. They seem to need it. When every routine becomes a negotiation and every change feels like a crisis, parents may wonder whether they’re dealing with defiance, anxiety, or a child who simply doesn’t know how to feel safe without
A Boy, His Late Mother & Petrified Car Rides
In my experience, sadly, a child doesn’t normally have the words for heartbreak. They don’t come into the room saying, “I’m traumatized.” They don’t sit down and explain, “My nervous system no longer feels safe in the world.” They don’t say, “I’m afraid that if I let my father out of my sight, something terrible will happen to him too.”
Children
Hi, I'm
It's so nice to virtually meet you.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Registered Play Therapist (RPT)
Qualified Supervisor (QS)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Registered Play Therapist (RPT)
Qualified Supervisor (QS)
Amanda Baird, LCSW, RPT, QS
I’m a therapist serving children, teens and families in the Tampa Bay area through Exhilarate Mental Wellness. I created this practice to give young people a space where they can feel safe, supported and understood as they heal, grow and thrive.
If something you read here connects with your family or your work, there are several ways to continue. I offer online therapy and parent coaching for families throughout Tampa Bay, workshops and public speaking for clinicians, educators and other professionals who support children and qualified supervision for Florida registered clinical social work interns.
I do it online too!
A Foxworth Toy
Ab-so-lutely! This Foxworth miniature serves as a comfort object during therapy sessions. It’s also an exclusive toy we manufacture that isn’t available online or in stores!
A research-inspired toy companion
Psychology researcher R.H. Passman explored how comfort objects can help children feel more at ease during unfamiliar experiences. Children can use Foxworth as part of their initial experience in the playroom and then take their own Foxworth keepsake home at no extra cost.
Since we manufacture these ourselves here in Tampa Bay, they’re available when supplies allow. For online therapy (telehealth) clients, shipping starts after the intake session. (Choking hazard: Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.)
Write an article for us
And if you’re a clinician, educator or writer with insight into the mental health and well-being of children, adolescents or families, I’d love to hear from you about contributing a guest article.
