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.
No doubt, 2020 has been hard for many families and Thanksgiving will probably look pretty different this year. Still, mental health experts recommend sticking to the holiday tradition in many homes of expressing what you are thankful for. Gratitude is good for you and practicing it can go a long way to making you feel more positive and less stressed.
If your teen or young adult appears to be having an extreme and prolonged stress reaction to life changes associated with COVID-19, if their behaviors and emotions are making it difficult for them to get through the day, it may be an indication that they are struggling with an adjustment disorder. This week’s blog covers what to look for and how to get help.
Debating politics over turkey and pie is a holiday tradition for many families. This year, after a historically divisive election season, those discussions could quickly become heated. Let’s arm ourselves with some strategies to keep our conversations civil and our Thanksgiving peaceful.
