Understanding and Supporting Teens Who Self-Harm: A Guide for Parents
Self-harm among teens is a significant and often misunderstood issue. While it can be challenging to discuss, understanding self-harm is crucial for both parents and teens. This guide provides valuable insights to help you recognize the signs and offer support. What...
Healthy Coping Mechanisms for Teens: 5 Alternatives to Self-Harming
A range of negative emotions like pain, anger and sadness are normal parts of the human experience. Coping mechanisms are a natural part of how people respond to stress, challenges and difficult emotions. Coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, depending on how...
Teenage Emotions: Understanding and Coping With Unexplained Sadness
Feeling sad for no apparent reason can be a lonely, frustrating experience. What makes matters worse is when caring, well-intentioned people ask you, “What’s wrong?" and you genuinely don't have a clue! Even though feelings are not facts, they are still real and...
How Can Teens Improve Their Mental Health? 7 Strategies
Mental health isn’t something you only focus on at certain times, like during a therapy session. Your mental health affects you all the time, and it has an impact on everything you do. If you’re already feeling anxious or depressed, it’s hard to practice a sport, be...
How To Set Boundaries With Your Parents: Advice for Teens
Setting boundaries is an essential part of any healthy relationship, including the one you have with your parents. Boundaries are the guidelines you establish to define what kinds of behavior are acceptable and unacceptable, how you expect to be treated, and what your...
9 Ways Social Media Can Negatively Impact a Teen’s Mental Health
In our busy modern lives, it can seem like social media is hard to escape. For teens, being present on the same platforms as your friends can make the difference between feeling accepted and having FOMO. Depending on which apps you’re using, there are an endless...
Coping With Overwhelming Fear: Whole-Person Panic Disorder Treatment
We’ve all been panicked before. Sometimes we intentionally try to be scared to get a dose of adrenaline that can be enjoyable for many people. Maybe we pay to go through a haunted house or zip line on vacation. Other times, we’re scared unintentionally, such as...
The Impact of Untreated Teen Trauma
The unfortunate truth is that no one is immune to trauma, including teenagers. It’s important to remember that many different events and experiences can be perceived as traumatic to a teenager. Dismissing teens’ distress as mere "angst" or "drama" can undermine their...
Trauma-Informed Therapy for Teens
Traumatic experiences can profoundly influence a person's life. It can shape their perceptions, beliefs and behaviors. Trauma does not define a person. However, it can deeply impact their sense of self, relationships, and worldview. How individuals process and...