5 Steps to Starting Mental Health Treatment for Your Teen
When a teen is struggling with their mental health, deciding to pursue treatment can feel frightening and overwhelming. Many parents dread the initial conversation with their teen about seeking help. Others feel unsure of where to begin the search process, or what to expect once their teen begins treatment. Learning the key steps in that […]
Why Teens With Co-Occurring Conditions Need Coordinated Care
Mental health conditions rarely show up alone. A teen struggling with depression may also be wrestling with crippling anxiety. Similarly, a teen with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may develop low self-esteem and mood symptoms after years of academic and social struggle. When two or more mental health conditions occur together, clinicians refer to these as […]
A Typical Week in a Teen Half-Day Treatment Program
When parents consider outpatient mental health treatment for their struggling teen, it’s natural to wonder how that care will fit into their daily life. Full-day programs can offer the focus that many teens need, but can be harder to schedule and cost-prohibitive. Half-day programs, often called intensive outpatient programs or IOPs, are designed to provide […]
CBT vs. DBT: How They Work Together
When someone considers professional mental health treatment, talk therapy is often one of the first options that comes to mind. Therapy is a powerful, proven tool to help individuals manage difficult emotions and learn new coping skills. Two forms of talk therapy, known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), are especially common. […]
Teen OCD & its Impact on School, Relationships, and Daily Life
Most teenagers develop habits and routines as they navigate the demands of school, friendships, and family life. However, for some teens, certain thoughts and routines take on a life of their own. What begins as a fleeting worry can grow into a cycle of intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. In some cases, these can consume […]
What Parents Can Expect During Medication Adjustment Periods
It’s natural for parents to have questions and concerns when their teenager begins to take psychiatric medication. Parents often wonder how they can tell whether it’s working effectively or if they need to worry about side effects. The same concerns apply when a teen’s prescriber decides to adjust a medication dosage. Medication for adolescent mental […]
10 Ways to Support Your Teen in Mental Health Treatment
Supporting a loved one struggling with their mental health can be difficult. This is especially true for parents of teens who are beginning professional treatment. Family members often feel overwhelmed at the thought of supporting their teen through this difficult time. They want to help, but may not be sure what that support should look […]
Teen Grief: Recognizing When They Need Clinical Support
Grief is one of the most difficult experiences a person can face. For teenagers, loss can be especially destabilizing. Adolescents are already navigating rapid change, identity formation, and heightened emotions. When a significant loss occurs in a teen’s life, it can feel overwhelming and uniquely challenging. Most teens who experience loss grieve in ways that […]
Importance of Relapse Prevention Plans in Teen Mental Health
Completing professional treatment is a huge achievement for a teen struggling with mental health issues. Teens who have completed a course of treatment have likely developed valuable coping skills to manage difficult situations and emotions. However, teens will face new challenges as they adjust to life after treatment. Teens in mental health recovery are vulnerable […]
Individual vs. Group Therapy: Which is Better?
Talk therapy is one of the most common and effective forms of mental health treatment. Discussing mental health challenges with a professional can help one build coping skills, manage strong emotions, and find confidence in new situations. Because it can be adjusted to fit so many needs, therapy is often an essential part of any […]