Family Therapy, Trauma

Encanto: A Disney Movie About Family Dynamics

I've seen Disney Pixar address individual mental health topics before. But unlike these other movies, Encanto highlights the intricacies of family dynamics. The movie explains how family patterns can impact both individual mental health and overall family functioning. It's no wonder that I have brought up Encanto in nearly every family therapy session this week! So let's dig in: here are seven (and there are more but theres only so much time) family therapy themes that can be found in Disney's charming and poignant movie, Encanto!

depressed preschool child holding a teddy bear
Child Therapy, Guest Blogs

Guest Blog: Mental Health of Preschoolers

Therapy? For a 3-year-old? They are so young. What could they possibly be depressed or anxious about? I often get these questions from friends and family who find out that I work with young children. The reality is that kids as young as 3 are being diagnosed with serious mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. Current research estimates about 2% of preschoolers meet criteria for depression or anxiety.