When a Teen Starts Mental Health Treatment

A young teen starting mental health treatment at Pillars Health Group's dedicated adolescent facility in Concord, MA.

When a teenager begins mental health treatment, family members often experience a mixture of relief and uncertainty. An important step toward wellness has been taken, but most families have little experience with what it involves, how long progress takes, and what their role in the process will be. Families who understand what to expect during […]

How to Talk to Someone About Getting Mental Health Treatment

A father talking to his son about getting mental health treatment.

Despite how common it is for teenagers to face mental health challenges, most who are struggling do not seek help on their own. Research from KFF shows a significant unmet need for mental health treatment in adolescents, with 20% reporting they did not receive the therapy they thought they needed. While a lack of access […]

The Emotional Impact Mental Health Disorders Have on Families

A cartoon family experiencing the emotional impact mental health disorders can have.

When a teenager is diagnosed with a mental health condition, the effects are often far-reaching. Parents, siblings, and the broader family all experience their own responses to what is happening, and those responses can reshape relationships in ways that families are rarely prepared for. The stress, uncertainty, and emotional weight of supporting a struggling teen […]

How to Help Teens Struggling With Mental Health

A teen struggling with mental health, while sitting at a desk in school.

When your teenager begins to change in ways that concern you, it can be difficult to know how to respond. You may notice that they have become withdrawn, irritable, or disengaged from activities they once enjoyed. Sleep patterns may shift, grades may slip, and conversations that used to come easily now seem to stall or […]

Signs Your Teen May Need Mental Health Treatment

A photo of a bunch of sticky notes with different faces, an abstract portrait showing sings your teen may need mental health treatment.

Parents are often the first to notice when something has shifted in their teenager’s behavior or mood. A typically social teen may withdraw from friends, or a previously motivated student may stop completing schoolwork altogether. While most teens go through periods of moodiness or stress, these kinds of abrupt or sustained changes often point to […]

What to Expect During Your First Therapy Session

A cartoon of a woman walking through a portal, the cover image for an article titled "What to Expect During Your First Therapy Session."

Discussing Your Goals Toward the end of the first session, many therapists will ask what you are hoping to get out of therapy. Goals do not need to be specific at the outset. Sometimes simply feeling better, managing stress, or understanding yourself more deeply is enough to start.  Next Steps Before the session ends, your […]

Trauma’s Impact on Mental Health

A drawing of a person with trauma, the cover image for the article "Trauma's Impact on Mental Health."

Anxiety Disorders Trauma can fundamentally alter how the brain and body respond to perceived threats. The Mayo Clinic notes a strong link between PTSD and anxiety, often resulting in chronic anxiety, panic attacks, or social anxiety that make it difficult to function in everyday settings. The state of alert that trauma creates can persist long […]

When to Seek Professional Help

A person learning when it's the right time to seek professional help.

Anxiety Disorders NIMH notes that an estimated 31% of adults experience an anxiety disorder sometime during their lives. Anxiety disorders involve ongoing worry or fear that feels difficult to control. This can include generalized anxiety, panic attacks, or social anxiety. Symptoms are often both emotional and physical. Individuals may experience restlessness, a racing heart, muscle […]

Inpatient, Outpatient, and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)

A woman learning about the differences between inpatient, outpatient, and intensive outpatient programs.

When exploring mental health treatment options, the range of available programs can feel overwhelming. Inpatient care, outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) each serve different needs and offer varying levels of support. Understanding these differences is essential for making the right decision about the level of care a loved one […]

How Therapy Can Help Manage Dissociative Disorders

A man learning about how therapy can help manage dissociative disorders.

3. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) EMDR is a unique form of therapy that uses guided eye movements to help individuals process and integrate traumatic memories. EMDR has shown positive results for individuals with dissociative disorders by addressing trauma in a controlled setting and reducing the emotional impact of painful memories. At Pillars Health Group, […]