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…
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…
Have you ever wondered how we ensure Ascend runs as smoothly as possible? Our operations are a team effort, and every staff member lends a helping hand. While we’ve got mentors with boots on the ground to handle many of the immediate needs of our clients, we also have facility managers and directors that help…
Some individuals feel that gendered pronouns like “he” or “she” don’t reflect who they are. Because they want to choose pronouns that more accurately reflect their experience, many people choose to use alternative gender pronouns. Making gender more inclusive is an important step to supporting the mental health of transgender and non-binary people. If you’re…