Sometimes it is hard for parents to see the benefits of technology for teens. After all, when teens spend endless hours playing video games or staring at their smartphones, technology can feel more like a burden than a benefit. However, in today’s challenging world, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, the positive effects of …
When a teen is experiencing substance abuse, it affects the entire family, but siblings are often greatly impacted and their needs overlooked. This doubles the impact of the substance abuse upon siblings: They experience the negative impacts of their sibling’s substance abuse, as well as a loss of parental attention because the parents are focused …
When we hear the word, “addiction,” what comes to mind? Whether they are legal or illegal, alcohol and various drugs are what most people typically associate with the word, “addiction”. However, many other habits or activities can become all-consuming and destructive in adolescents’ lives. While some teens develop an unhealthy compulsion toward certain behaviors, others …
Finding a therapist for a teenager can be a tremendous challenge. However, therapy can make the difference between good mental health and increased mental health problems. With so many different types of therapists and therapy available, being willing to invest the time and to research options can be life-changing for a teenager. What Is Evidence-Based …
The terms counseling and therapy are often used synonymously. There are, however, core differences between psychological counseling and psychotherapy. For one thing counseling is generally a more short-term solution as opposed to therapy which is more long term and focuses on a wider scope of issues. What do Therapists do? You may ask the question, “What does …
As parents, understanding teenagers and the different personalities, feelings, and thinking they have can be a difficult task. Sometimes your teen may be very chatty, wanting to tell you everything about their day and the next day your teen may be moody and brush you off. It can be frustrating sometimes to get through to …
A teen with social anxiety disorder is more than just shy or easily embarrassed. Social anxiety disorder is a serious form of anxiety from social situations that typically begins around 13 years of age. The repercussions can be very debilitating if left untreated, making it that much more important to be able to recognize and …
Every teenager is different, and parenting different teens requires different approaches. A teen with depression presents their own specific set of challenges. Often parents of teens who are dealing with depression feel constant concern for their well-being. However, it is important to use that concern to help them, rather than allow worries to immobilize or …
The teenage years can be difficult and challenging in many ways, leading to many types of insecurities. It is a period of change growing out of childhood and into adulthood, which comes with pressures, responsibilities, uncertainty, and self-doubt. Further, teens are constantly being bombarded by messages from the media, their friends, and society about how …
One of the biggest moments in a teenager’s life is when they get their first driver’s license. Finally, a young person can enjoy a bit of freedom, driving themselves to school and having the flexibility to make their own plans. However, having a driver’s license and an available car to drive means great responsibility to …
Some parents and teenagers may underestimate the seriousness of bullying and the long-term effects it can have on teens. In fact, bullying can lead to teen depression that could spiral into substance abuse, and in extreme circumstances, teen suicide. Further, the wounds of childhood and teenage bullying can follow someone into adulthood and impact their relationships …
With less face-to-face contact in real life as a result of COVID-19, teens have turned to social media as a way to connect, create, and defeat boredom. Not just teens, but adults and even entire families have found interaction, expression, and entertainment on social media applications. As a result, there has been significant growth in …