Suicide. Just hearing this word can evoke a range of emotions. For many people, the initial reaction to hearing about suicide is discomfort or fear. Often times, our behavior is to automatically deny that suicide is an issue that affects us personally; or we may simply ignore it and hope the problem goes away on…
Effective treatment for bipolar disorder is as varied as the individuals who suffer from the condition. People with this type of mental illness usually benefit from lifelong treatment. Clinicians often use a combination of psychotherapy and medication to help people manage their symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy for bipolar disorder is one example of a type…
What happens to you when you hear your favorite song? Most likely, it elicits some kind of emotion. For many teens who struggle with mental health disorders, music is a valuable tool that can help them express themselves in a safe, comforting environment. So, how does music therapy work? You might be surprised by how…
Your teen is running the gauntlet every day. Athletics competitions, team tryouts, and tests are the realities of daily life. And these are in addition to budding romances, peer group pressures, and struggles at home. If your teen’s struggling with anxiety, here’s how to stop an anxiety attack. Understand Where the Anxiety Comes From First,…
As you look for the right addiction treatment for your teen, you may run across the term “comorbidity.” But what does this mean? How does it influence the type of treatment your teen needs? Comorbidity is another term for the “co-occurring conditions” of addiction and mental illness. This means the addiction started with mental problems…
Before the bell rings and new books are cracked open, Destinations for Teens advises parents to share their own lessons with their teenage children — how to avoid the temptation of drugs and alcohol they may encounter from peers this school year. Sasha DeCania, who has a master’s of social work and is a licensed…
By Cynthia Della Ripa, LMFT – There is a wide variety of problems that are facing youth today. It can be a world of confusion and chaos taking place during a crucial stage of adolescent growth and development. Youth can learn how to live a mentally, physically and socially healthy life. This means helping youth…
By George Livengood – Program Director, Canon House Do you remember moping around the house as a kid and mom saying, “Go outside and play!”? Mom was onto something. There are numerous studies that indicate exercise is helpful in reducing depression. There is no one identifiable reason as to why it works. So let’s look…
By Jesaca Lepper, MFT – Ventura PHP/IOP Creative therapies are very important and valuable for adolescent treatment therapy. Adolescents often benefit from different treatment modalities that do not only focus on cognitive interventions and strictly “talk therapy.” Adolescent brains are still growing and sometimes experiences can unlock and express deeper feelings. There are many artistic modalities…
By Alyse Rose, MSW, Assistant Program Director, Woodland Hills Millions of Americans are affected by mental illnesses, and although we have made strides in increasing awareness of mental illness, stigmas and stereotypes continue to prevent many from seeking the services they need. It is important to stay updated and aware of facts and stereotypes about…