Experiential therapy is a powerful therapeutic technique that aims to place subjects into an experience that triggers a new mindset or perspective. Experiential therapy can also serve to re-enact and re-experience emotional situations from the past that helps clients process trauma or other concerns. At Ascend, we use experiential therapy as part of every client’s…
Life behind the scenes at Ascend continues to be a fascinating journey for all of us, but it’s time parents and potential clients also got a sneak peek at all the hard work we do. In this month’s Staff Spotlight, we’re putting Nicole on the spot with a look into a day in her life…
As teens work through their mental health struggles, there are several therapeutic modalities that can help them heal. Talk therapy, or traditional therapy, allows them to discuss their feelings and confront concerns with a therapist. We also offer family therapy as a way to heal their entire support system and address problems in the home.…
At Ascend, we take a clinical approach to our treatment plans, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy among our therapeutic modalities. But we also incorporate experiential therapy as a complementary approach that provides more comprehensive treatment options to our clients. Experiential therapy, also sometimes called experiential learning, is a…
If you’re a teen struggling with your mental health, there are many ways to find help. Therapy and medication are incredibly useful and effective tools, but they’re not the only ways to improve mental health. At Ascend, we believe that experiential therapy and passion projects can help you process difficult feelings outside of the constraints…
Teen years can be challenging for both adolescents and their parents. Hormones are raging, emotions are running high, and everyone involved seems at a loss for what to do. A teen’s poor attitude may prompt parents to inflict punishments for misbehavior when it’s actually mental illness that’s the root of the problem. Learning how to…
You’ve probably already heard about therapy. But not all therapy is the same. There’s talk therapy, family therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and so much more – each with its own focus and benefits. When it comes to how we help your teens, one of the most effective types of therapy we use is called CBT. CBT,…
When it comes to the nuts and bolts that keep Ascend running smoothly, it’s all about the mentors. They’re there every day with the clients, helping them navigate therapy, meals, and everything in between. Because mentors do a lot of the heavy lifting within our residential treatment centers, they need reliable support from the best.…
Depression can be fairly common among teenagers, but the signs are often overlooked. Moodiness is viewed as a normal teen phase, and many parents just count the years until their child’s hormones level out. However, it’s important to note the differences between the usual teen rebellion and depressive disorders, as more serious mental health conditions…
What is self-esteem? Self-esteem has to do with a person’s opinion of themselves. It’s connected to their sense of identity, belonging in the world, and self-confidence. Some of the beliefs associated with self-esteem include feelings of competency and worth, as well as various emotional states, like shame, pride, triumph, and despair. For teens, self-esteem is…