Parenting teens can be difficult. The closer to adulthood children get, the more likely they are to try to push away from their parents and become their own person. However, some teens push particularly hard, creating more conflict in teen family dynamics —especially if they suffer from mental health disorders or substance abuse. The difficulty …
It’s important for parents, teachers, and other caregivers, such as staff at teen rehab treatment centers, to be able to guide children and teens through healthy social-emotional development stages of their growth. To help with this, an understanding of some basic psychology is worthwhile. A psychologist by the name of Erik Erikson identified eight specific psychological …
There comes a time in every teenager’s life when they want to spread their wings. Freedom gives your teen confidence, lets them try new things and allows them to grow, but too much freedom can cause them to get into trouble. As a parent, how do you strike a delicate balance?
Does your teenager know what to expect from therapy? Do you know how to prepare for their first therapy session? Are there ways you as a parent can make that intimidating first visit less stressful? These are all appropriate questions that make sense before starting the therapeutic process. Therapy and counseling are becoming less stigmatized …
Anxiety is an emotion that you can expect to see in your child or teen. Children who are constantly anxious and worry so much that it interferes with their daily lives are experiencing an anxiety problem or disorder and this can have long-term effects, especially if it goes untreated.
Living with bipolar disorder can bring about confusing emotions, and the stigma surrounding this disorder can heighten those emotions. Individuals with bipolar disorder are often portrayed in the media as committing crimes and unable to live independently. This stigma can even be carried into the medical field. Many professionals still refer to bipolar disorder as …
Everyone has been lonely during this past year of social distancing—teens in particular. While life is beginning to open up again, many teens are still isolated due to COVID-19. Isolation has impacted everyone’s mental health, but particularly that of adolescents, for whom sharing their life with peers is so important. Many teens are tired of …
Sometimes the worst thing can help bring positive changes. That seems to be the case with COVID-19. While the global pandemic has brought the world to its knees health wise, financially, and mentally, the associated mental health crisis seems to be opening conversations about mental health that are vital to raise awareness. With so many …
One of the negative effects of social media is that it can impact the self-esteem and body image of impressionable teens. This is also an age where teens may pick up on language or criticisms of body types from parents and family members. For too many teens, these and other factors impact their own self-esteem …
Most teens have been socially isolated for more than a year now. For some teens, it may have been even longer if they had previously self-isolated. Going back to school and some of the normal activities might be a challenge after being in social isolation for so long. Parents, caregivers, and family members can help …
The emotional benefits of animal companionship are well-documented. Beyond the popularity of having specified and prescribed emotional support animals, even having animals as pets can foster positive emotional relationships, compassion, empathy, and responsibility in teens. For teens with mental health disorders, particularly in this time of grief and isolation during a global pandemic, the benefits …
In our technological age, teens have more of a voice than ever before. And they can use their voices to help create positive social change. Creating Teen Interest in Social Change Some teens are naturally interested in the world around them. Others become involved in social issues because of events they are exposed to, or …