Losing a loved one is never easy, no matter your age. For teens, coping with grief and loss can be especially difficult. They may feel isolated and alone, like no one understands what they’re going through. Grief can also manifest itself in unexpected ways, such as angry outbursts and depression. Even things like a breakup…
Teenage years are often filled with changes and challenges. Teens are working to establish their identities, set a path for themselves, and figure out how they fit into the world around them. At the same time, their bodies and brains are going through changes that can result in chronic physical and mental health conditions. Mental…
The teenage years are often when people start to become more aware of their appearance. For some, this can be a time of great confidence and self-esteem. However, for others, it can be a time of doubt and insecurity. When teens fall prey to insecurity, their negative self-talk can evolve into body dysmorphia. But what…
For teens who find it difficult to keep up with their schoolwork, tutoring apps can be a lifesaver. Tutoring apps can provide one-on-one help from qualified teachers, and they can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Best of all, many tutoring apps for teens are free. With tutoring by subject, like math or…
Mental health concerns can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. This can be a vicious cycle, as poor sleep can worsen mental health symptoms. However, balancing sleep and mental health is possible with a few lifestyle changes. Explore some tips that can make a big difference to your sleep cycle, helping you…
One of the most important things to consider when seeking mental health treatment is insurance coverage. In the United States, mental health insurance coverage is a piecemeal patchwork, with some states and plans providing better coverage than others. However, there are federal and state laws in place that guarantee some mental health coverage for all…
Among the different types of therapy that are used by treatment providers, experiential therapy is undeniably one of the most unique and intriguing. Experiential therapy techniques help clients immerse themselves in therapy through different experiences. These planned experiences are designed in a way to help participants open up to themselves and others, as well as…
At Ascend, many of our facility activities fall on the shoulders of our highly trained mentors for teens. While clients meet with their personal therapist and family therapist, as well as trained facilitators and recreational therapists for group sessions, there is downtime, chores, and daily regimental activities when teens still need to be supervised. Our…
At Ascend, we have many moving parts. While you’ve probably already read about our in-house team that’s there day in and day out, including mentors and clinicians, you may not know as much about our recreational and experiential therapists and group facilitators. One of those people is Andrea, our resident yoga, meditation, and breathwork instructor.…
For decades, scientists have been researching animal-assisted therapy in relation to behavioral problems, autism-spectrum symptoms, emotional well-being, and medical difficulties for people of all ages. These studies conclusively show that this therapeutic modality has massive benefits when used as an additive to established interventions, like CBT, family therapy, and recreational therapy. At Ascend, we use…