4 Common Types of Counseling, Explained

April is Counseling Awareness Month which provides us with an excellent opportunity to talk about the different types of therapy that are often grouped under the “counseling” category. For anyone new to mental health services, it can feel like the providers you are working with are speaking a different language. Because there are several different… Continue reading 4 Common Types of Counseling, Explained

6 Tips for Helping Teens Manage Social Anxiety

It is normal for teenagers to experience anxiety as they make the transition from childhood to adulthood.  From changing bodies to changing schools, teenagers can feel like everything in their world is in a constant state of fluctuation.  They worry about fitting in, making friends, getting good grades, being popular, and being accepted.  This kind… Continue reading 6 Tips for Helping Teens Manage Social Anxiety

Understanding, Diagnosing and Treating PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which can affect anyone at any age, can be difficult to diagnose because there may be a lag between the start of symptoms and the triggering traumatic event.  In fact, it is not uncommon for symptoms to start slowly and increase in frequency and/or severity over time.  This is one reason… Continue reading Understanding, Diagnosing and Treating PTSD

How is DBT Different and How Does it Help?

DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy and it is a therapeutic approach for treating certain conditions that commonly impact teenagers.  Although it was originally created as a way to help those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, it is also proving effective at helping teens who are participating in self-harming activities and those who have acknowledged… Continue reading How is DBT Different and How Does it Help?

What is DBT and How Can it Help My Teenager?

As parents, there is nothing more frightening than watching our children suffer and struggle, and feeling powerless to help them.   When teens are injuring themselves and struggling with suicidal thoughts and tendencies, that powerlessness can feel overwhelming.  Too often, parents disregard the signs and ignore what is right in front of them because they don’t… Continue reading What is DBT and How Can it Help My Teenager?

Common Types of Psychotherapy

For parents new to the world of mental health, the different types of practitioners and the different therapeutic techniques can seem overwhelming.  The good news is that you don’t have to know all the answers in order to find a mental health professional that can help your child.  However, it is helpful to have a… Continue reading Common Types of Psychotherapy

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What Parents Need to Know

Overview Everyone worries about things, even children and teenagers.  Whether the worry is over the upcoming history test, getting a date to the prom, or making the soccer team, anxiety is a normal part of everyday life.  However, in some people, normal everyday worries can become excessive and everyday things can cause severe anxiety.  This… Continue reading Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What Parents Need to Know

Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Affecting My Teenager?

It can be difficult in this age of acronyms to know when your teenager’s behavior is appropriate for their developmental stage of life of when it’s something that a parent should be concerned about.   With anxiety disorders like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), it is even harder to find.  The difference between the two is the… Continue reading Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Affecting My Teenager?