Empowered Play was founded in 2021 by (right to left) Brittany Alley, Genevieve Johnson, and Alicia Lord, to provide high-quality...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Young adulthood is a time ripe with opportunities for growth, self-expression and exploration, and the creation of...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Why do aggressive behaviors occur? Like all other behaviors, aggression is a means to an end. A child is engaging...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Summer is upon us, and with it comes the all too frequent “Moooooom, I’m booooooored!” The transition from school,...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC In the time of COVID-19, it is easy to feel like everything is more intense, like the volume has been turned up on...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC In the English language, there are a multitude of words to describe feelings states. Each word offers a unique...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Every child and adult alike is familiar with Shel Silverstein’s popular book The Giving Tree. A favorite of my...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Even in childhood, there are so many things in life that provoke fear and anxiety. From small stressors like being...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Hyperactivity and ADHD can result in behavioral symptoms and distress. Often, it is not just something the child...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Imagination is a bright and wonderful aspect of childhood. It feels like a quality that comes so naturally to...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC If you are anything like me, you typically depend on logic, reasoning, and thinking to make decisions. It seems I...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Co-parenting is one of the biggest challenges parents face…and it is one of the most common topics my clients ask...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Multiple times each year, there is a buzz about parent-teacher conferences and the emotions that come up around...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Humans are judgers. We walk around constantly judging everything around us. I like this, but I don’t like this....

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Everywhere I go, I hear the same phrase over and over again: “I’m sorry.” Or, the shorter version, “sorry.” I...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC It’s okay to feel (mad/sad/scared). I am right here if you need support. I know this is hard, and I believe you...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC Emotions can be very challenging, especially when we perceive that we are ill-equipped or incapable of dealing...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC It’s a Sunday morning in autumn, and my husband and I are having brunch at a local restaurant. As we eat and...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC There is a lot of buzz around “play” right now, or rather the scarcity of play in today’s world. Parents,...

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC There are a variety of reasons why parents seek counseling for their children. Often, I am asked how to determine...