Help your child wipe away worries about testing By International School Psychologist, ,,Mary Fusco Talking to your child about assessments is one of the most important aspects of the process, yet it can feel tricky, especially for families approaching the process for the first time. Fortunately, you can rely on professional guidance to prepare your child for an assessment, navigate sensitive information contained in the report, and celebrate your child’s progress over time. Here are 10 tips to support you and your child to feel empowered at every step of the way.  TIP#1 Help your child d ..read more

,Tips for taking the scaries out of talking about testing  ,By School Psychologist, ,,,Mary Fusco Navigating discussions with parents about psychoeducational assessments can be delicate yet crucial for supporting struggling students to reach their full potential. Here is a guide for school teams working in the international context to facilitate supportive and solutions-based conversations with parents. TIP #1 BUILD RAPPORT AND TRUST By creating a trusting school-parent relationship, parents can feel more comfortable about opening up about their concerns and entrust school with supportin ..read more

Music therapy is still a lesser-known form of therapy, alongside other creative arts therapies such as art, drama, and dance. To learn more about music therapy, we interviewed Kadri, our counselor and music therapist, who works with children with a range of needs from our office in Berlin and online. Kadri shared with us the power of music, the nature of music therapy, and her work supporting international families in Berlin and beyond. Music therapy is a tool that can support children with mental health difficulties through expressing emotions through music or other creative activities where ..read more

In today’s digital age, children and teens frequently encounter graphic images, distressing information, and alarming headlines related to conflict and war. Navigating conversations about such sensitive topics is crucial for their well-being. Here are some strategies and tips from the Linden team and various reputable sources, including UNICEF, the National Association of School Psychologists, and the EU initiative Klicksafe, to assist you in guiding your children through these challenging discussions. These tips are created for parents, educators and adults in a child’s life, offering strate ..read more

Talk the Talk: How do Speech-Language Therapists work in International Schools and Multilingual Settings? Speech therapists play a crucial role in facilitating effective communication and language development. Their expertise helps children overcome speech and language challenges, enabling them to express themselves and engage more fully in various aspects of life. But when it comes to international school children exposed to multiple languages, how does speech and language support work? Linden has collaborated with hundreds of children internationally, providing comprehensive speech and lang ..read more

While traditional counseling plays a crucial role in supporting the mental health of young people, teen coaching can offer a fresh perspective and essential life skills that boost confidence, foster a sense of purpose, and enable teenagers to carve out their unique space in the world. In this blog, we will explore the main differences between teen coaching and counseling, highlighting the unique strengths of teen coaching and how it propels the lives of young individuals towards a path of success and fulfillment. The Difference Between Teen Coaching & Counseling: Counseling: Counseling is ..read more

By Oyinlola Osinoiki (Class of 2023) - a super star Intern at Linden - Written by a teen for teens - As a recent IB student, I can confidently say that much of my success depended on having solid organizational and project management skills (as well as strategies for managing stress). This life skills have helped me on my journey and will continue to do so as I prepare for university. I will attempt to pass on a few tips I learned along the way (sometimes the hard way)! ,Overcoming Fear: Doing the work until it no longer scares you When I was struggling with certain subjects in high school an ..read more

Occupational therapy (OT) provides kids and families with the skills and support necessary to overcome daily challenges. If you know someone, especially a child, who struggles to participate in daily activities to the fullest extent, OT might be an excellent solution. So, what is occupational therapy, and why is it important? OT is a client-centered profession that seeks to help people achieve their full potential in all aspects of daily life through a holistic approach. By focusing on the individual's needs, occupational therapists support clients in developing the skills and abilities requi ..read more

Interview with Linden's Lead Psychologist, Claire Delgadillo Assessments are tools that help understand a student's unique learning profile. There are different types of assessments, each with their own focus and purpose. Last year, Linden conducted over 332 psychoeducational assessments and over 100 occupational and speech assessments for international school students around the world! We spoke with Claire Delgadillo, Linden's lead school psychologist and assessment coordinator, to learn more about the different types of assessments and their uses. KAVI: What exactly is a psychoeducational a ..read more

Reflections from an international school student As a 14-year-old girl who goes to an international school in Berlin, Germany, there are many struggles I have come to face in school. But in every struggle you may face, there is always something or someone that can help. I have asked a few friends to come up with things we all wished we knew before entering this new phase of our life. But in every struggle you may face, there is always something or someone that can help. Here are some of my tips for anyone in primary school. Keep your friends close; it is so important to have people who can b ..read more