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,…
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…
Teens who have been through traumatic experiences or who are struggling with their mental health often look for outlets to process their issues. Working with an experienced therapist can provide teens with a safe space to talk through any challenges they face and become their healthiest, happiest selves. If you’re curious about some of the…
Traumatic events can impact anyone. However, teens don’t always have the coping mechanisms needed to process trauma in a healthy way. They often develop other methods of dealing with stress in their daily lives that could result in substance abuse, self-harming behavior, and even suicidal ideation. Because of these dangers, it’s essential that adults identify…
Negative self-talk is a stressful and often involuntary form of self-criticism. These are thoughts that can be self-deprecating and may even contribute to or stem from mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. If your teen often expresses negative thoughts about themselves, their inner monologue is likely destructive. In this post, we’ll discuss…
Whether you’re a teen or an adult, if you’re struggling with your mental health, having support is crucial. However, getting started can be challenging if you haven’t talked about mental health issues with your friends before. If you want to talk about mental health concerns in a positive, supportive way, explore these tips to help…