Category: Mental Health

The teenage years are a pivotal time. Their bodies are changing, their moods are shifting, and they’re learning to feel comfortable in their own skin. Rebellious teen behavior is common as teens begin to establish more independence. However, it’s important to understand the difference between what is considered normal teen behavior and signs of a […]

Substance abuse and addiction in teens is a symptom of unaddressed, underlying issues, including past traumas and mental health disorders. Statistic show that people with mental health disorders are more likely to develop a substance abuse disorder at some point in their lives. Combined with the fact that most people who develop an addiction begin […]

As we talk about being assertive, I have come across many people that have told me “every time I try to be assertive I get labeled all kinds of negative things.” Assertive communication is the ability to express positive and negative ideas and feelings in an open, honest and direct way. It recognizes our rights […]

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 1 in 10 children grow up in a home where at least one parent has a substance use disorder (SUD). Because of this, the way that treatment for clients with addiction has evolved from focusing on just the patient, to focusing on the entire […]

As we talk about substance use many terms come to mind. As I conduct groups for substance use and talk about ways of overcoming use we come across the term coping skills. A coping skill to be an action -to deal with stress, problems, or uncomfortable emotions. Unhealthy coping strategies tend to feel good in […]

“I’m not good enough.” “I am a failure.” “I’m too stupid to do that.” Sometimes the causes of addiction are obvious, but in most cases the reasons why teens abuse drugs and alcohol are unknown to them — and parents. When you don’t feel well about yourself you don’t treat yourself well. Low self-esteem is […]

Sexual child abuse is any sexual activity with a child, such as fondling, oral-genital contact, intercourse, exploitation or exposure to child pornography. When a perpetrator engages with a child this way, they are committing a crime that can have lasting effects on the victim for their entire life. Children who have been sexually abused may […]

The line of communication between parents and their children can get a little strained or blurred in teenage years. While the child is seeking more freedom and independence, parents can tighten their grip a little too much to stay in control. Add to the mix teenage rebellion, emotional difficulties, and substance abuse and you’ve got […]

What are some of the characteristics of a healthy relationship? We get the idea of what a “happy” relationship looks like from social media nowadays; couples are always happy, traveling and doing fun things. Every relationship has their happy moments but it also comes with some disagreements and different points of view. A healthy relationship […]