The start of a new school year can bring a mix of emotions. While some students look forward to seeing friends and trying new classes, others feel nervous, overwhelmed, or even afraid. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “School makes me anxious” you’re certainly not alone. School comes with a lot of expectations. Assignments, tests, […]

Mood swings and significant physical changes often mark the teenage years. For parents, it can be hard to know how much of their teen’s behavior stems from normal puberty and when it might signal something deeper that requires attention. Below, we’ll explore how hormonal changes influence a teenage girl’s mood and emotional regulation, as well […]

Childhood and adolescence should be defined by growth, curiosity, and connection. But for many young people, a traumatic experience, whether a single event or an ongoing pattern, can disrupt that development in ways that aren’t always obvious right away. The good news is that trauma is treatable. With the right support, teens can process what […]

Teenagers are naturally emotional and experience significant hormonal changes as they move through one of the most significant periods of development in their lives. A little moodiness, a bad week, or a tearful reaction to a breakup or a bad grade is a normal part of growing up. However, it can be hard for parents […]

Realizing that you or a loved one might be dealing with a drug or alcohol problem is never easy to sit with. And once that reality sets in, the next steps, paperwork, phone calls, and usually a substance abuse evaluation, can feel just as overwhelming. A substance abuse assessment is a conversation. Its purpose is […]

Between exams, extracurriculars, part-time jobs, and social pressures, it’s no wonder so many teens feel stretched thin these days. When your student asks for a day off, not because they’re sick, but because they’re overwhelmed, it can be hard to know how to respond. Taking a mental health day from school isn’t about skipping responsibilities. […]

When most people think of depression, they picture obvious signs of sadness, withdrawal, or emotional distress. While these symptoms can certainly occur, depression in teen girls is often more complicated than it appears on the surface. Many adolescent girls become skilled at hiding their struggles; continuing to earn good grades, participate in activities, maintain friendships, […]

Completing residential treatment can feel like an exciting milestone, a graduation of sorts, but it’s also intimidating. For many teens and young adults, leaving a highly structured environment means facing new responsibilities, routines, and challenges. For parents, it may bring relief along with concerns about maintaining progress. Fortunately, recovery doesn’t end after residential treatment. Most […]

A relatively common misdiagnosis in mental health is mistaking a depressive episode in someone with bipolar disorder for major depressive disorder.  While depression is present, it’s not the primary condition that needs to be addressed. In some people with bipolar disorder, treatment with antidepressants can actually trigger a manic episode, rather than stabilize mood.  It’s […]

There are many reasons to be cognizant of and intentional about screen time for those in your care.  One area psychologists have been exploring with increasing urgency is the proliferation of selfie culture and appearance-focused social media, which some researchers believe may contribute to a co-existing rise in body dysmorphia among teens and young adults.  […]