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Attention Parents: January & February Are the Worst Months for Teen Suicide 

Parent comforting their teen struggling with suicidal thoughts

First off, Happy New Year. We all wish for a healthy and happy 2023 for our teens. Most people think that the Christmas Season is the worst season for suicide. Actually, it is the beginning of the year. The isolation and sadness created by exacerbated teen depression, unfortunately, begin to move into the most negative of actions […]

Why the New Year Can Bring Mixed Feelings

Teen girl with struggling with mixed feelings about New Year

It can be hard to admit to yourself that New Year’s Eve is not one of your favorite holidays to celebrate. It is supposed to be a time of extravagant parties, cheerful celebrations, a time for reflection, and setting goals for the new year, yet your emotions don’t match the festivities.  While the end of the […]

Winter Break and Finals: 5 Ways to Encourage Your Teen

winter break and finals

With winter break on the horizon and final exams around the corner, it’s no surprise that your teen might be experiencing more stress and anxiety during this time of year.  There is a curriculum to cram, deadlines to meet, and pressure to do well on tests before leaving for the holiday break. Performing well on […]

Mental Health Screening: What Is It And Does My Teen Need It?

What is Mental Health Screening? A mental health screening is an exam of your emotional health. It helps find out if you have a mental disorder. Mental illnesses are more common than people think! They affect more than half of all Americans at some point in their lives. There are many types of mental disorders that […]

Changing of Seasons and Mental Health: What’s The Link?

October is now here and we are quickly approaching the end of the year!  With Fall and Winter upon us, the weather is getting colder and the days are getting shorter. While there are many people who love the changing of seasons, there are also those whose mental health is impacted by this change. Seasonal […]

How Can You Benefit From Positive Psychology?

What is Positive Psychology? In simple terms, positive psychology is defined as “the scientific study of what makes life most worth living” (Peterson, 2008). It studies human thoughts, feelings, and behavior, with a focus on strengths instead of weaknesses, building the good in life instead of repairing the bad, and taking the lives of average people […]

Therapy 101: Getting Started

Teens spending time together after therapy

What Is Therapy? Therapy, also known as talk therapy and psychotherapy, is the process of meeting with a mental health professional to resolve problematic behaviors, beliefs, feelings, relationship issues, illnesses, and/or somatic responses (sensations in the body).  Some things therapy can address include: How Can You Benefit from Therapy? Whether you are involved in individual, couple, […]

Choosing the Right Behavioral Health Program for Your Teen

Right now, in the U.S., a confluence of conflicting trends in adolescent behavioral health gives us a mix of optimism and concern.  On the one hand, the latest data from the Substance Abuse and Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that with each passing year, more and more teens who need help for behavioral health issues […]

Self-Care 101: Mind, Body, and Spirit

What is Self-Care? Self-care means taking care of yourself so that you can be healthy, you can be well, you can do your job, you can help and care for others, and you can do all the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day.  Simply put, self-care is a conscious act […]

Teen Therapy: 5 Steps for Parents

teen therapy

Teen therapy for mental health can be a tough situation to handle. Kids are already reluctant to talk to their own parents, so the suggestion of talking to a professional may be less than enthusiastic. If you’ve already been struggling with your teen and have noticed signs they may be depressed, anxious, or suicidal, then it’s time to […]