Is there anything better than having the best of the best at your side? At Ascend, we strive to ensure that everyone that joins our team is absolutely stellar. One of our most important team members, and staff spotlight of the month, is Dr. Lisa Acosta. A California girl who graduated cum laude with a…
Teenagers are notorious for always being on their phones, tablets, or other devices. Talking with friends, posting on social media, and playing games can take up a large chunk of their time. But could this habit be hurting them? For some teens, anxiety and social media go hand-in-hand. For others, compulsive use of their devices…
In today’s world, bad news can feel incessant. The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, mass shootings seem to occur in every corner of the country, and the political divide is deeper than ever. For teens, growing up in this environment of bad news can be stressful — especially when articles are shared on social media…
Taking risks is a normal part of growing up. Trying out for a role in the school play, making new friends, or even sampling a new food are all healthy risks that teens might take. However, for some teens, the process of testing boundaries and maturing as independent adults leads to unsafe behaviors. Risky behavior…
Teens who struggle with trauma disorders can have difficulty succeeding in school, forming healthy relationships, and developing into independent, mature adults. However, specialized treatment programs can help teens who have experienced traumatic events heal. Understanding what trauma triggers are can help you support your teen as they work through the impact of past trauma and…
Social media is inescapable in our modern world. The vast majority of teens and even adults in the United States use social media to connect with others and share parts of their lives. However, there can be a dark side to social media that affects teen mental health in a negative way. Social media obsession,…
Family Leave for Parents with Troubled Kids The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that was passed in 1993 that helps families balance health needs with work requirements. According to this law, Americans who are going through personal or family health issues are entitled to up to 12 weeks of job-protected…
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we live our lives has changed dramatically. Many people have stopped going to work or school in order to slow the spread of the virus, attending classes and taking care of responsibilities virtually instead. While social distancing has slowed the spread of COVID-19, isolation can have unintended negative consequences…
Here is our pre-assessment form for parents. This form is essential for us to evaluate whether your child will be a good fit both for our program and also for the current milieu/census of teens in the program, and we use it to support in the development of an initial treatment plan. We also use…
The benefits of mindfulness and meditation have been researched for decades, and have been shown to improve not only the mental state of an individual but their quality of life. At first, meditation may seem intimidating and overwhelming. Some even find it to be an impossible task. The thought of sitting alone in silence for…