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Hello!
It's hard to believe the back-to-school season is already here! Whether you're packing lunches, adjusting to new routines, sending a child off to college, or simply noticing the change in pace, this time of year often brings a mix of excitement, anticipation, and a little bit of stress.
As schedules begin to fill up again, it's easy to focus on everything that needs to get done. This month, I'm reminding myself that caring for ourselves and the people we love doesn't have to be one more item on the to-do list—it can be woven into the everyday moments, even during the busiest seasons.
As you settle into this new chapter, I hope you'll take a few minutes to enjoy this edition of our newsletter. Inside, you'll find practical tips for navigating the back-to-school transition, guidance on choosing what therapy format is right for you, and updates on what's happening here at our practice—including a few exciting programs and a warm welcome to our newest team member.
Wishing you a smooth start to the school year!
All my best,
Dr. Pam McCaskill
office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com
734-416-9098
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McCaskill Family Services Newsletter
Term: Summer | Issue 80| August 25, 2026
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Virtual Therapy vs. In-Person Therapy: Which One Is Right for You? 💻
Thinking about starting therapy but not sure whether virtual or in-person sessions are the better fit? The answer might surprise you. Both options can be highly effective! The key is finding what works best for your schedule, comfort level, and personal needs. MFS therapist, Sierra Sands, M.S., LLP, breaks down the benefits and challenges of each format, who may benefit most from each approach, and what research says about their effectiveness. Whether you're a busy parent, college student, frequent traveler, or simply exploring your options, this guide can help you make an informed decision. Read the full article and discover which approach may be right for you.
| | At McCaskill Family Services, we specialize in working with adults, children, teenagers and families with various presenting issues. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us. Our clinicians are trained in empirically-based techniques, and would be happy to promptly schedule an appointment in-person or via telehealth. We can be reached by phone at 734-416-9098 or by email at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com. | | |
Does your teen struggle with overwhelming emotions, anxiety, impulsive behaviors, or relationship challenges? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills to help teens navigate life's ups and downs with greater confidence.
Our 8-week Teen DBT Group, led by Dr. Amanda Klingensmith, helps teens develop tools for managing emotions, coping with stress, improving relationships, and staying present in the moment. Sessions meet Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00 PM at our Plymouth office, beginning October 6, 2026. Teens will learn mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills in a supportive group setting.
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The July ADHD Intensive Workshop was a huge success!
Missed out? We've got two more opportunities this fall!
Join us on September 12, 2026 or November 13, 2026 from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM.
These sessions fill quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot early. We'd love to see you there!n)?
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Participant Testimonials:
"The ADHD Intensive Workshop helped me to better understand my child and how I can modify some of my parenting styles to fit his needs. I also learned how to advocate for my child to improve his ability to learn at school." -Sonja
"The ADHD Intensive not only provides an excellent foundation about the condition, but it also provided a plethora of actionable strategies to implement at home and school. As a busy working mom, I struggled setting aside time to do research on my own. Spending one day with McCaskill Family Services provided me with the time I needed to focus on becoming a better parent to my ADHDer, while gaining practical tips and tools to implement changes at home. I'm incredibly grateful to the team for all I learned, and I'll be recommending this intensive to our pediatrician to share with other parents!" -C
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We're excited to welcome Dr. Lila Mularoni to our practice as a postdoctoral fellow!
Dr. Lila provides therapy and psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults. Her clinical interests include neurodivergence, anxiety, complex trauma, and family systems, and her therapeutic approach draws from DBT, EFT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Bowen's family systems. She also has experience conducting evaluations for ADHD, autism, learning disorders, mood concerns, and more.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her senior dog, birding, and spending time with friends.
We're thrilled to have Dr. Lila as part of our team! Dr. Lila has immediate availability for new clients. If you are interested in working with her, please contact our office at 734-416-9098 or email us at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com.
| Awareness and Recognition Spotlight | This Month We Recognize: National Wellness Month | |
August is National Wellness Month. It is a reminder that taking care of ourselves isn't selfish; it's what helps us keep showing up for the people who matter most.
If you're a parent, teacher, healthcare worker, therapist, first responder, or someone who spends much of your time caring for others, it's easy to assume that feeling exhausted is just part of the job. Many of us may experience burnout or compassion fatigue. But what is the difference between the two? Burnout often develops gradually from ongoing stress and feeling overwhelmed, while compassion fatigue can happen when we're carrying the emotional weight of supporting others through difficult experiences.
Neither means you're doing your job poorly. They're signs that your own well-being deserves attention, too.
This month, consider one small act of self-care that truly restores you: taking a walk, setting a boundary, connecting with a friend, or asking for support when you need it. Caring for yourself isn't taking away from those around you; it helps ensure that you have the energy and compassion to keep caring in a sustainable way.
If burnout or compassion fatigue is affecting your work, relationships, or overall well-being, our clinicians are here to help you find sustainable ways to care for both yourself and others.
| *We acknowledge that numerous important heritage/awareness months and religious/cultural observances may occur at the same time. While we are highlighting one in this issue, this choice is not intended to diminish the significance of others. In alignment with our commitment to cultural humility and ethical professional practice, we aim to approach these acknowledgments thoughtfully and remain mindful of the diverse identities and experiences represented within our community. |
A monthly newsletter addition from our
Dietitian and Eating Disorder Recovery Team.
Fueling Busy School Mornings
By: Caitlin Mahoney, M.S., LLP
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As the school year approaches, lives will get busier and as a result, the most important meal of the day may get missed. Even though breakfast may not fit easily into our busy schedules, it is essential for our bodies to have the energy needed for the day, especially for students. Here are some tips for how to handle squeezing breakfast into your schedule.
If you do not have time for breakfast, figure out what you like to eat in the morning the night before so you have options in the morning for when you are not fully awake. Options for this that can be prepped in advance are overnight oats, protein balls, hard boiled eggs, cut up fruit, and yogurt with granola and/or fruit.
If you do not feel hungry in the morning, give your mind and stomach the chance to wake up. Waiting until lunch to eat can be a long time without nutrition. Keep easily accessible breakfast snacks with you such as trail mix, granola bars, or microwavable muffins for when hunger strikes you.
Breakfast can often feel monotonous, it does not have to be that way! Breakfast can be leftover dinner from the night before, a smoothie, or the old classic, cold pizza. Having something to eat is better than eating nothing!
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A monthly addition from our team of relationship experts: covering important topics, information, and answering common questions about romantic relationships.
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Back-to-School Transitions & Your Relationship
As summer comes to an end, families are often adjusting to earlier mornings, busier schedules, homework, activities, and less downtime. This transition can be exciting—but it can also create stress for both parents and kids. A few intentional habits can help couples stay connected while navigating the demands of the school year.
Here are a few tips from our relationship team to help you all transition as smoothly as possible:
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Get on the same page. Take a few minutes each week to review schedules, responsibilities, and upcoming commitments. Sharing the mental load can prevent one partner from feeling overwhelmed or out of the loop.
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Protect couple time. It doesn't have to be a date night. A cup of coffee together, a walk after the kids go to bed, or 15 minutes to catch up can help maintain connection when life gets busy.
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Expect an adjustment period. Everyone may be more tired, irritable, or disorganized during the first few weeks. Try to approach bumps in the road with patience rather than assuming they reflect a larger problem.
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Check in about more than logistics. Conversations can easily become focused on who's picking up whom or what needs to be packed. Make space to ask, "How are you doing?" and genuinely listen to the answer.
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Make teamwork visible to your kids. When children see parents communicating, compromising, and supporting one another, they learn that relationships involve cooperation—even when things feel hectic.
The goal isn't to create a perfectly organized school year. It's to create a family rhythm that leaves room for both responsibility and connection.
Contributions from the MFS Relationship Team, including Dr. Jessica Peatee, Dr. Amanda Klingensmith, Dr. Jaden Johnson, & Caitlin Mahoney
| | Our team traded the therapy office for the ballpark this month and enjoyed an afternoon cheering on the Detroit Tigers! Spending time together outside of work helps us strengthen the relationships that support the collaborative care we provide our clients. We're grateful for opportunities to connect, laugh, and enjoy our community together. | | |
Hi there! My name is Sierra Sands, and I'm a masters level clinician at McCaskill Family Services whose clinical interests include Anxiety, Body Image/Self-Esteem Issues, Depression, Interpersonal Conflicts, and Struggling to Launch/Survive for Young Adults. I am also part of our comprehensive psychological evaluation team.
Thank you so much for staying in touch with the practice and I hope that you can use some of the useful information from our newsletter. If you or someone you know would like to schedule an appointment with me, please contact our office at 734-416-9098 or email us at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com.
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409 Plymouth Road, Suite 250, Plymouth, MI 48170 • 734.416.9098
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