The Family Check-In Challenge
The “Family Check-In Challenge” is an A Brighter Day initiative designed to encourage open conversations within families as we roll into the new school year. This routine isn’t just a matter of asking how each person’s day was; it’s about setting a time and place where every family member, especially teens, can openly discuss their […]
Walk Your Path: How to Understand and Combat Peer Pressure
Peer pressure at school, a universal phenomenon experienced by teenagers across the globe, plays a considerable role during these formative years. As adolescents strive to carve out their unique identities, these external influences can deeply impact their mental health, choices, and overall well-being. The Faces of Peer Pressure Peer pressure can manifest itself in various […]
Living in the Age of Teen Loneliness
Our teens live in a world of unparalleled entertainment opportunities, yet they still experience disturbing amounts of teen loneliness. Every cell phone they carry doubles as a computer filled with applications, entertainment, and social media platforms. They can watch movie trailers or go to the movies with their friends. They can indulge in unlimited TV, […]
A Silent Epidemic of Teen Mental Health
Instead, we considered the emotional turbulence in teens’ everyday lives, their familial and social dynamics, and the internal battles they fought when alone and vulnerable. At the time, I could scarcely fathom the actual magnitude of the issue. The Startling Reality of Teen Depression and Anxiety Our preliminary research, albeit non-scientific, suggested the problem was […]
Neurodiversity in Teens: Our Differences Make Us Who We Are
The term “neurodiverse” seems to be used everywhere today; social media, tv shows, movies, and more! While there is no single definition of this term, it typically is used to describe the differences in the ways people’s brains work. According to the Child Mind Institute, the term “neurodiversity” was created to help fight the stigma […]
Animal Therapy: Embracing the Healing Powers of Connection
Including animal therapy in psychological treatment is not new, nor is it uncommon. Dogs, cats, horses, and other animals have played a large part in humans’ lives, and the healing benefits and the unique bonds created by interacting with animals have been documented for thousands of years! Today, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) helps people cope […]
Father’s Day: Strengthening Parent-Teen Connections for Emotional Health
Happy Father’s Day to all the dedicated dads celebrating this special occasion, as well as those whose presence is remembered and cherished. Often, holidays such as Father’s Day present terrific opportunities to build stronger connections with our teenagers and truly discover what is circling around their adolescent emotional quotient. Despite the self-centered “me” nature of […]
Mental Health Basics
The term “mental health” has gained an immense amount of popularity and attention in recent years and is a hot topic in workplaces, schools, social media, and much more! Navigating this complex term can be overwhelming as it encompasses so many different areas of psychology: mental illnesses, psychological health, emotional well-being, and mental wellness. If […]
Counseling vs. Therapy: Is There A Difference?
While the terms “counseling” and “therapy” are typically used interchangeably when talking about mental health interventions, there are vast differences between the two types of services! While both are treatments for mental health issues that involve interacting with a mental health professional and working through an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, there are key characteristics […]
Why Self-Esteem is Critical for Teen Mental Health
What is self-esteem? Self-esteem is defined as your subjective sense of overall personal worth or value. Having a healthy amount of self-esteem can benefit your mental well-being, your motivation, resilience, and more! Having too little or too much self-esteem can be problematic and manifest in various ways. While some of us might think that self-esteem […]
