Everyone experiences anger — it’s a natural and even healthy emotion. Feeling angry can signal that something is wrong or unjust, and it can motivate you to take action and make positive changes. However, when anger becomes uncontrollable and starts to negatively impact relationships and daily life, it may be a sign of an anger…
Neurodivergence isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a real and important aspect of human diversity. While neurodivergence is often associated with conditions like autism and ADHD, it actually encompasses a wide range of neurodevelopmental variations that exist on a spectrum. For teens, understanding different types of neurodivergence can help them better appreciate their own experiences…
In conversations around mental health or developmental disorders, you might have heard the terms “neurodivergence” or “neurotypical” being used. These terms are relatively new — a sociologist coined them in the late 1990s — and if you’re unclear on what they mean, you’re not alone. For parents, understanding what neurodivergence is, as well as identifying…
Keeping up with Ascend means getting to know our staff and learning more about what happens behind the scenes in our residential and outpatient treatment facilities. Every month, we introduce you to someone new who makes Ascend a great place to work — and an effective treatment center for teens and their families. This month,…
As a teenager, it can be tough to navigate the ups and downs of daily life. With so much pressure from school, relationships, and social media, it’s easy to feel like you’re not good enough. But here’s the thing: you are more than enough. Culture can often make you feel like you need to be…
There are many factors that may contribute to learning disabilities, including declining mental health. If you or a loved one is struggling in school, mental health may have something to do with it. In fact, there is a proven link between PTSD and learning disabilities. Understanding the connection between trauma and education is crucial to…
We know you’re excited for another look behind the scenes with the team at Ascend, so we’ve served up something special this month. Instead of administrative, clinical, or operations staff, we’ll be exploring one of the team members in charge of experiential therapy, Spencer! Spencer is in charge of yoga at Ascend, an experiential therapy…
It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious from time to time — especially during adolescence, a phase of life filled with change and uncertainty. But sometimes, these feelings of anxiety can become overwhelming and persistent. Everyday tasks can feel difficult, and these anxious thoughts can feed into unhealthy habits. If you’ve been feeling excessively worried, stressed,…
Feeling like you’re constantly on edge, overthinking every little thing, and experiencing physical symptoms like muscle tension or heart palpitations may be signs of anxiety. While it’s normal to feel anxious from time to time, worry and fear that interfere with daily life are red flags for a possible anxiety disorder. For teens, it’s especially…
Resilience is a superpower that’s easy to overlook. It’s the ability to bounce back when you’re dealing with adversity, adapt to changing situations, and keep going in the face of hardship. As a teen, life will throw you many curveballs. Whether it’s a failing grade, friendship drama, or family problems, challenges are inevitable. That’s where…