The teen years aren’t easy for anyone. Research shows significant increases in anxiety, depression and other mental health issues during this time for both boys and girls. Recent studies, however, suggest that adolescent girls – especially those who spend a lot of time on social media – tend to be particularly susceptible to the social and emotional upheaval.
People often consider perfectionism a positive attribute. But it’s important to make the distinction between conscientiousness and a level of perfectionism that can have a terrible impact on an individual’s mental health. ‘Toxic’ perfectionism is linked to depression, anxiety and numerous other mental health issues. This week’s blog, talks about why perfectionism can be harmful and how to combat these unhealthy thought patterns.
Are you stuck in a cycle of negative emotions or behaviors? If so, I encourage you to investigate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a treatment option. ACT is a highly effective approach that I have used with clients for years. In this week’s blog, I focus on ACT’s core principle of Acceptance and explain how Acceptance can help clients handle the negatives and move forward.
Finding a mental health professional to work with an adolescent or teen who is struggling, can feel like a complicated process. Your child may be unhappy, uncommunicative or uncooperative so assessing who might be a good fit is difficult. In this week’s blog, I share some recommendations, based on my experience, for things to consider as you make your decision.
During the best of times, the holidays can be tough for those struggling with mental health or substance use issues – especially adolescents and teens. This year, with everything they have gone through during the pandemic, make sure that you are making your child’s mental health a priority and get help if you need it.
Right now, so many adolescents and teens who I see in my practice are spending an enormous amount of time online and on social media. I worry about the impact on their mental health, but also know that for some it’s the best way to stay connected with their friends during COVID. This week’s blog provides some recommendations about what we can do to help our kids stay healthy online.
