From Classmate to Friend: How Children Build and Maintain Friendships

A new school year brings new classrooms, activities, and opportunities to meet other children. Parents may hear their child mention the same classmate repeatedly and wonder: Could this become a real friendship? Meeting someone is an important first step—but simply spending time near another child does not automatically create a friendship. Research on children’s peer […]

Why Some Children Have Trouble Making Friends (And How Parents Can Help)

Friendships are one of the most important parts of childhood. Through friendships, children learn how to communicate, cooperate, solve problems, manage conflict, and develop empathy. Positive peer relationships are also associated with greater self-esteem, improved academic engagement, and better mental health throughout development. So, when a child struggles to make or maintain friendships, it’s understandable […]

How to Prepare Your Child for Summer Camp: A Research-Based Guide for Parents

Summer camp is often remembered as one of the most meaningful experiences of childhood. Beyond arts and crafts, sports, field games, and outdoor adventures, camp provides opportunities for children to build confidence, develop friendships, practice independence, and strengthen important social-emotional skills. For many children, camp is exciting. For others, it can bring uncertainty, nervousness, or […]

The Social Battery: Teaching Kids to Recognize When They Need a Break

Have you ever noticed your child suddenly become irritable, withdrawn, silly, tearful, or emotionally reactive after a long birthday party, school day, sports tournament, or sleepover? Sometimes, children are not being “difficult” or “dramatic” — they may simply have an empty social battery. The term social battery has become increasingly popular in conversations about mental […]

When “Playdates” Feel Like Work: Helping Kids Navigate Social Anxiety and Avoidance

Have you ever watched your child get invited to a playdate…only to hear “I don’t want to go,” followed by tears, excuses, or shutdown? For many families, playdates are meant to be fun, low-pressure opportunities to build friendships. But for some children, they feel anything but easy. Instead, they can feel overwhelming, draining, or even […]

Friendship Island Summer Camp: A Social Skills Adventure with Heart

Friendship Island Summer Camp: A Social Skills Adventure with Heart Summer camp can be a cornerstone of childhood memories — an opportunity for fun, growth, and forging friendships that last a lifetime. But for many children, especially those who struggle with social interactions or navigating peer relationships, traditional camps focused on sports or crafts can […]

How Parenting Styles Impact Long-Term Social Well-Being

In a recent New York Times article titled “A Predictor of a Good Social Life? Your Parents,” researchers and clinicians point to a deceptively simple truth: one of the strongest predictors of a person’s long-term social health is not popularity, charisma, or talent—but the quality of their early relationships with caregivers. For parents, this finding […]

What to Expect in Therapy: A Parent’s Roadmap

Choosing therapy for your child is a thoughtful and often emotional decision. Parents frequently arrive at Compass Clinic with important questions: What actually happens in therapy? How involved should I be as a parent? And how does therapy lead to real, lasting behavior change? This roadmap is designed to demystify the therapeutic process, clarify roles, […]

Supporting Neurodivergent Children Through the Holiday Season

By Compass Clinic LA 🎄 The Holidays Through a Neurodiversity LensFor many families, the holidays are a season of excitement and connection. But for neurodivergent children—those with differences in attention, sensory processing, communication, or emotional regulation—this time of year can bring unique stressors.Changes in schedule, new environments, unfamiliar faces, and heightened sensory input can overwhelm […]

The Value of Creating Community

By Erika Rich, Ph.D. As a child psychologist, one of the most common themes I see among families struggling with stress, disconnection, or burnout is that they’re trying to do everything on their own. Parents often feel they must be their children’s entire support system—teacher, therapist, social organizer, and cheerleader—all while maintaining their own demanding […]