Here are effective strategies to assist teens in coping with anxiety, fostering resilience, and promoting mental wellness.

Specialized Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective approaches, teaching teens practical skills to challenge and change negative thought patterns, manage anxiety symptoms, and gradually face feared situations through exposure exercises. For teens, brainspotting to help anxiety can provide a targeted and effective therapeutic approach, aiding in the processing and resolution of underlying emotional distress. Other therapeutic modalities, such as mindfulness-based techniques, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), may also be beneficial depending on the teen’s preferences and circumstances.

Understanding Teenage Anxiety

Teenage anxiety is more than just occasional worry or stress. It can manifest in various forms, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias. It’s essential to recognize the signs and symptoms, such as excessive worrying, irritability, trouble concentrating, and physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.

Recognize the Complexity

Teenage anxiety is not a one-size-fits-all experience. It can stem from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. While some teens may experience anxiety due to academic pressure or social challenges, others may have underlying mental health conditions that require professional treatment. It’s essential to approach each teen’s situation with empathy and understanding, acknowledging the unique factors contributing to their anxiety.

Acknowledge Developmental Challenges

Adolescence is a period of significant physical, emotional, and cognitive development, which can exacerbate feelings of stress and uncertainty. Teens are navigating transitions such as puberty, peer relationships, academic expectations, and identity formation – all of which can contribute to heightened anxiety levels. 

Be Mindful of External Influences

In today’s digital age, teens are constantly bombarded with information and stimuli from various sources, including social media, news outlets, and peer interactions. While technology can offer opportunities for connection and learning, it can also exacerbate feelings of comparison, inadequacy, and fear of missing out (FOMO). It’s essential to be mindful of the impact of these external influences on teen anxiety and help them navigate digital spaces in a healthy and balanced way.

Encourage Open Communication

Encouraging open communication is paramount in helping teens cope with anxiety. Create an atmosphere where they feel safe expressing their emotions without fear of judgment or criticism. Listen attentively to their concerns, acknowledging their feelings and experiences. Validate their emotions and reassure them that it’s normal to feel anxious at times. By fostering a non-judgmental environment, you build trust and strengthen your relationship with the teen, paving the way for effective support and guidance in managing their anxiety.

Teach Coping Skills

Equip teens with practical coping skills to manage their anxiety effectively. Teach relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or progressive muscle relaxation. Encourage healthy lifestyle habits, including regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet. Additionally, explore cognitive-behavioral strategies like reframing negative thoughts and problem-solving.

• Mindfulness Meditation: Encourage teens to practice mindfulness meditation as a way to ground themselves in the present moment and reduce anxiety. Mindfulness involves paying attention to thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment. By teaching teens to focus on their breath or sensations in their body, they can learn to acknowledge and accept their feelings without becoming overwhelmed by them. 
• Journaling: Writing can be a therapeutic outlet for processing feelings of anxiety and gaining insight into triggers and patterns. Encourage them to write freely without worrying about grammar or spelling. Encourage them to reflect on positive experiences, accomplishments, and things they’re grateful for, helping to shift their focus away from negative thoughts and worries.

Promote Self-Care

Promoting self-care is essential in helping teens cope with anxiety. Encouraging them to prioritize activities that promote relaxation and well-being can have a significant impact on their mental health.

Whether it’s engaging in hobbies they enjoy, spending time outdoors, or practicing mindfulness and meditation, self-care activities provide teens with valuable opportunities to recharge and rejuvenate. By emphasizing the importance of self-care, you empower teens to recognize their own needs and take proactive steps to nurture their mental and emotional well-being, ultimately helping them better manage their anxiety.

Provide Structure and Routine

Providing structure and routine is essential for helping teens cope with anxiety. Establishing a consistent schedule can offer a sense of stability and predictability, which can be comforting for anxious individuals. Help your teen create a daily routine that includes designated times for schoolwork, relaxation, social activities, and self-care. 

Encourage them to stick to regular mealtimes, bedtime, and wake-up routines to promote better sleep quality and overall well-being. By incorporating structure into their daily lives, teens can feel more in control and better equipped to manage their anxiety effectively.

Limit Exposure to Stressors

Limiting exposure to stressors is crucial in helping teens manage their anxiety effectively. Identify potential triggers, whether they’re academic pressures, social media comparisons, or overwhelming commitments, and work together to address or minimize them. Encourage healthy boundaries and time management strategies to prevent burnout and promote a sense of balance in their lives. By creating a supportive environment that prioritizes their well-being, you can empower teens to navigate through stressful situations with greater resilience and confidence.

Lead by Example

As a role model, your behavior and attitudes towards stress and anxiety can influence how teens cope with their own emotions. Show your teen how you manage your stress effectively, whether it’s through practicing mindfulness, engaging in regular exercise, or seeking support from friends and family. 

Emphasize the importance of self-care by prioritizing activities that promote relaxation and well-being in your own life. By modeling healthy behaviors, you provide a powerful example for your teen to follow, reinforcing the importance of taking care of one’s mental health and showing them that it’s okay to ask for help when needed. 

Helping teens cope with anxiety requires patience, understanding, and ongoing support. By fostering open communication, teaching coping skills, promoting self-care, and seeking professional help when needed, you can empower teens to manage their anxiety effectively and thrive in their daily lives. You don’t have to tackle this alone – reach out to trusted professionals and resources for guidance and support along the way.

Also read:

How Dog Therapy Helps Troubled Teens

How to Interview Therapeutic Schools

The post How to Help Teens Cope With Anxiety first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Emotional dysregulation is a condition in every teenager’s life that affects the brain’s hormone regulation and general life experience. Often, it is caused by genetic dispositions or environmental factors such as family, school, and social life. Thus, emotional dysregulation shouldn’t be disregarded, and teens experiencing it must be given attention and proper support.

This article will discuss different methods and practices of regulating emotions to give teenagers healthy mental and physical well-being. If your son, daughter, or relative faces such issues, read more below and see what you can do to support them.

Professional Consultation and Therapy Plans

The first thing you can do is to encourage teenagers to speak with a professional. Emotional regulation is linked to deeper-rooted concerns and conditions. The first thing to do to help them is to learn more about this and understand the full scope from the eyes of a professional.

Depending on the diagnosis and suggestions, your mental health provider will create a proper treatment plan and initial prescriptions when necessary. They often suggest antidepressants or similar inhibitors like Citalopram, which can be a significant expense. To save money, check online for Citalopram HBR Discount Coupon packages and generic versions through your doctor’s guidance. 

Bubble Breathing

A good strategy for teens facing stressful situations or anxiety attacks is bubble breathing. Bubble breathing is a variation of breathing techniques for calming down and delivering proper oxygen to the brain. Breathing through their nose and slowly exhaling in the mouth calms them down and regulates their emotions to make sound decisions. 

Additionally, it calms down their fight or flight receptors, avoiding any chances of outbursts and further panic. This is a good strategy when teens face stressful situations regularly, like school, socialization events, and depressive thoughts.

Fidget Toys

At some point, fidget toys like spinners and clickers have become popular with teenagers for many reasons, one of which is they help with their mental health. To be specific, fidget toys are made to distract them from pent-up feelings and relieve excess energy, just like a typical stress ball.

Fidget toys come in many shapes and forms and can be discrete for everyday use. Other alternatives include pens, bracelets, or any objects they can squeeze, pull, or hold without being harmful and distracting.

Positive Listing

Positive affirmations bring out your teen’s good core values and self-esteem by teaching your teen to write down at least ten positive things about them. This method eventually boosts their confidence and allows them to tackle situations with sound decision-making and mood. 

Positive Self-Talk/Affirmations

Self-talking is deemed one of the effective ways to improve function skills, regulate emotions, and regain self-confidence. Although it requires energy and confidence, the effects benefit long-term stability and well-being. 

Teach your teens to think or self-talk on their positive traits or affirmations in every negative statement they can think of. For example, if your teen says, “I feel ugly today,” they can say, “I am awesome and beautiful no matter what.” Guide them through this until it becomes a habit, and it will be their simple but effective outlet for driving out negative thoughts. 

What You Can Do As Parents

Aside from the points above in teaching your teens self-regulation, the following methods aim to improve parent-child relationships and take their condition as a team effort. As the strongest support pillar for teens, parents must improve their mental state.

Curiosity and Exploration

Take time to be curious and wonder about your teen’s emotional state. They can uncover pressing issues and unmet needs that cause them. Teens need to be heard, and parents must train themselves to become active listeners.

But this doesn’t mean we must cater to their wants and needs. Sometimes, reaching out and giving the child time to vent without judgment fosters a genuine connection with your teen. Ultimately, this leads to pushing out pent-up frustrations and leads to actionable insights that you and your child can do. 

This could also be an excellent first step aside from professional consultation. If your teen sees you as a dependable adult to their problems, you can even introduce the self-help methods stated earlier. 

Metaphorical Communication

Teens under intense emotional states can often hinder their capacity to verbalize their thoughts and make sound decisions. When this happens, you can be creative and use metaphors to understand the situation better.

Also, they may prefer other methods of communication, like writing notes or texting, if they don’t feel like talking. Nevertheless, it helps them open up without being confrontative and hostile. And over time, you both can establish a routine of similar conversations to boost their confidence and better understand what goes on in their minds. 

In other words, do a temp check on whether they’re in their good or bad moments to strike up an insightful conversation.

Final Thoughts

A teen’s life is where they explore things, be independent, and establish their personalities simultaneously. And it can be hard on them and cause dysfunctions from their hormones to brain functions and emotions. As the older and mature demographic, we guide them through their experiences and lead them to better well-being and state of mind.

This article and the tips mentioned above can be a significant first step into shaping them into better and more positive versions of themselves.

Also read:

Therapeutic Boarding Schools for Struggling Teens

How Art Therapy Benefits Teen Mental Health

The post How To Teach Teens to Regulate Their Emotions first appeared on Help Your Teens.

The Crucial Role of Positivity and Wellness

Your teenage years are an immensely formative period, with every experience contributing to the way you view the world and yourself. However, the pressures of these years can lead to anxiety, potentially creating obstacles to your positivity and wellness. Cultivating a positive mindset and overall wellness during these transformative years is incredibly valuable. It not only improves your present quality of life but sets a robust foundation for a healthier, happier adulthood.

Understanding the Many Facets of Anxiety

Anxiety is more than just occasional stress or worry—it’s a persistent feeling of apprehension or fear that can interfere with your day-to-day activities. As a teenager, anxiety might manifest as restlessness, difficulty concentrating, sleep issues, or even physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches. If unaddressed, anxiety can cast a shadow over various aspects of your life, impacting your school performance, social relationships, and overall well-being.

Online Anxiety Treatment: A Cutting-Edge Solution

With the advent of digital technology, help is now more accessible than ever. Online anxiety treatment has emerged as an effective and convenient solution, bringing professional therapeutic aid right to your doorstep—or rather, your screen.

This modern approach encompasses various therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, and more, all accessible at the click of a button. The flexibility, ease of access, and comfort of anonymity that online therapy offers make it a promising option for you to consider, irrespective of your location or the constraints of a busy schedule.

Actionable Tips to Cultivate Positivity and Enhance Wellness

1. Self-Care: 

Self-care isn’t just a buzzword; it’s an essential practice. Prioritizing your physical health through regular exercise, balanced meals, and adequate sleep has a direct impact on your mental wellness. Remember, your mind and body are interconnected, and taking care of one benefits the other.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation: 

Living in the moment—also known as mindfulness—helps to keep worries about the future or the past at bay. Techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or even simply sitting quietly in a peaceful place can be excellent tools to cultivate mindfulness.

3. Healthy Relationships: 

Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family members fosters a positive environment that can boost your mental health. Conversely, it’s crucial to distance yourself from relationships that may lead to feelings of anxiety or negativity.

4. Professional Help: 

Remember, seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness—it’s an act of courage. It means you’re taking charge of your well-being. Online anxiety treatment can be an invaluable resource in your wellness journey, providing you with expert guidance and therapeutic techniques.

How Parents Can Offer Support

Your parents can play a pivotal role in your journey toward positivity and wellness. They can help identify changes in your behavior, encourage open conversations about your feelings, and guide you toward appropriate online anxiety treatment resources. They can even participate in therapy sessions if that’s something that feels right to you. Remember, it’s okay to lean on others, especially those who care about you, in times of need.

Actionable Tips For Parents:

1. Observe and Communicate: 

Pay attention to changes in your teen’s behavior, which could indicate underlying stress or anxiety. Encourage open conversations about feelings and experiences, making sure to validate their emotions rather than dismissing them.

2. Promote Healthy Lifestyle Choices: 

Facilitate routines that incorporate balanced meals, adequate sleep, and regular exercise. Reinforcing these habits can boost both physical and mental health.

3. Encourage Mindfulness: 

Help your teenager learn mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or even yoga. These techniques can be a good starting point for managing stress and fostering positivity.

4. Provide a Safe Environment: 

Make your home a safe haven where your teenager feels understood, loved, and accepted. Encourage positive relationships and help them distance themselves from relationships that bring them anxiety or negativity.

5. Seek Professional Help: 

If your teen’s anxiety seems persistent or is interfering with their daily life, it may be time to seek professional help. Online anxiety treatment is a viable option, providing professional guidance right at home. You can assist in finding suitable online resources and even participate in therapy sessions if appropriate and comfortable for your teenager.

Remember, your support and understanding are invaluable to your teenager’s mental health journey. You’re there to guide them and provide a safety net, but it’s equally essential to empower them to take charge of their own well-being.

Your teenage years are a unique blend of growth, exploration, and yes, occasional challenges. But amidst all this, remember that help is always within reach—especially in the form of online anxiety treatment. Engaging with such resources can be a critical step in overcoming anxiety and enhancing positivity and wellness. Seeking help is an act of courage and a testament to your strength. It is an essential part of your journey towards a healthier, happier life, one where you’re equipped to face challenges head-on, appreciate the joyous moments, and live life to the fullest.

Contributor: Jennifer Bell is a mother of two, a wellness coach, and a writer for online mental health resources.

The post Tips to Help Teens Create Positivity And Gain Wellness first appeared on Help Your Teens.

However, there are things that you can do to help your teen maintain good mental health and get rid of anxiety. In this blog post, we will discuss the different ways that you can help your teen overcome these challenges. So, if you’re a parent of a teen who is struggling with mental health, keep reading.

Psychotherapy Sessions

The most effective way to help your teen overcome mental health challenges is to seek professional help. This can be in the form of psychotherapy sessions with a licensed therapist. Therapists are licensed professionals who are trained to help people overcome mental health challenges. They can provide your teen with the tools and resources they need to cope with their anxiety and improve their mental health. 

Nutrition

What your teen eats plays a big role in their overall health, including their mental health. A nutritious diet can help improve mood, cognitive function, and energy levels. Conversely, an unhealthy diet can worsen mental health symptoms. To ensure that your teen is getting the nutrients they need, encourage them to eat a balanced diet  that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. If necessary, your child can also visit a nutritionist who can help them develop a healthy eating plan. Keep in mind that a healthy diet is not a cure-all, but it can certainly help improve your teen’s mental health. That’s why you should encourage your teen to eat healthy foods as often as possible.

Hobbies

Another way to help your teen overcome mental health challenges is to encourage them to pursue their interests and hobbies. Doing things that make them happy can help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase feelings of self-worth. It can also provide a much-needed distraction from negative thoughts and anxiety-provoking situations. Help your teen find a hobby or activity that they enjoy and make sure to encourage them to pursue it as often as possible. For example, if your teen enjoys painting, help them set up a space in their room where they can paint to their heart’s content. Or, if your teen enjoys playing sports, help them join a local team or league.

Healthy Sleeping Habits

In addition to healthy nutrition, another important factor in maintaining good mental health is getting enough sleep. Teens need around eight to ten hours of sleep every night in order to function at their best. Unfortunately, many teens do not get enough sleep due to late-night homework sessions, after-school activities, early morning classes, or simply because of screen time. As a result, they may suffer from sleep deprivation, which can worsen mental health symptoms. To help your teen get enough sleep, encourage them to establish healthy sleeping habits. This includes going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, avoiding caffeine before bed, and limiting screen time in the evening.

Education

One of the best things you can do for your teen is to educate yourself on mental health. The more you know about mental health, the better equipped you will be to help your teen overcome their challenges. There are a number of great resources out there that can help you learn more about mental health. For example, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is a great resource for information on mental health disorders, treatments, and research. The NIMH website also has a number of helpful resources for parents and guardians. Another great resource is the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). The ADAA website has a wealth of information on anxiety and depression, including information on symptoms, treatment options, and resources for parents and guardians.

Make Time for Fun

Lastly, it’s important to make time for fun. Just because your teen is dealing with mental health challenges doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy their life. In fact, it’s important to encourage your teen to have fun and enjoy their teenage years. Make sure to set aside time each week for activities that your teen enjoys, such as going to the movies, hanging out with friends, or playing video games. You can also encourage your teen to pursue their interests and hobbies, as we already mentioned. Doing things that make them happy can help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase feelings of self-worth.

Encouraging your teen to pursue a healthy lifestyle, hobbies they enjoy, and getting a good education are all great ways to help them overcome mental health challenges. In addition, making time for fun is also an important part of helping your teen maintain good mental health. By following these tips, you can help your teen live a happy and stress-free life.

Read: What is the Goal of Residential Treatment?

Read: Where can I send my troubled teenager?

Read: 5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

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If you are struggling with your teenager’s behavior and have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen through emotional growth. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The post How To Help Your Teen Maintain Good Mental Health first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Skipping classes due to anxiety can be looked at as a valid reason due to the disturbing and uncomforting thoughts and feelings that are associated with it.

Anxiety can often stop students from going to school and engaging with other students and school-related activities.

Some families tend to understand the discomfort that is associated with anxiety whereas some tend to blame the student for their lack of seriousness and responsibility.

Anxiety can often stop students from going to school and engaging with other students and school-related activities. Some families tend to understand the discomfort that is associated with anxiety whereas some tend to blame the student for their lack of seriousness and responsibility. School refusal and avoidance has become a concern for many young people.

Some physical symptoms of skipping class due to anxiety displayed by students are:

• Dizziness, headaches, nausea
• Vomiting, diarrhea
• Shaking or trembling
• Increased heart rate
• Chest pains
• Stomach pains

 Behavioral symptoms include:

• Explosive temperament
• Crying, sadness
• Anger or rage outbursts
• Threats to hurt themselves.

What are the causes of skipping classes due to anxiety?

Family environment: Stressful events or a dysfunctional family can cause teens to feel compelled to stay home. A teenager may refuse to leave a parent who is ill or who has a substance abuse problem.

Demanding school environment:  It is not uncommon for middle and high school students to become school refusers because they are afraid of violence either at school or on the way to school, afraid of failing academically, or have been repeatedly bullied or humiliated.

What are the ways to deal with school anxiety?

It is important for the students to deal with anxiety in an effective manner to avoid skipping school consistently.

Some techniques that one can adopt to manage this anxiety and get back to normal are:

-Talk about your feelings: The first and the most effective way is to convey how you are feeling to your family and friends and seek help when offered by them. This is only possible by shadowing the thoughts of being labelled as weak upon sharing one’s feelings.

Read – Tips on How to Talk to Your Teen.

-Stay away from the identifiable triggers: It is safe to say that anxiety is contagious in nature and more environmental and situation-driven, keeping distance from identifiable triggers can help in anxiety that results in skipping classes.

-Take a break: It’s important to understand that spending most of your time at school and meeting academic demands might disrupt an individual’s life balance. It’s necessary to take some time off from school or college work and indulge in pleasurable activities to restore a balance between classes and personal life.

Concentrate on the positives: Try to list out and concentrate on the positives of school or college and personal life.

Also read:

My Teen Refuses to Go To School

5 Benefits of Boarding Schools for Teens

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If your teen is struggling with school refusal, phobia, anxiety or any mental health issues that you have exhausted your local resources with trying to find help, contact us today to find out more about the benefits of residential treatment for teen help in getting your child back on the right track.

The post Teens Skipping Class Because of Anxiety first appeared on Help Your Teens.

By Regine Galanti, PhD

Is anxiety disrupting your life? With proven CBT-based skills and mindfulness techniques, this book can be your guide out of the spiraling stress of anxiety and get you back on track to living a happy and healthy life.

Getting good grades, keeping up with social media, maintaining friendships… you have a lot on your plate and it’s more difficult when you add anxiety to the mix. You may even be avoiding situations, events, or people that could trigger your anxiety. So, how do you stop yourself from missing out on life?

With Anxiety Relief for Teens, Dr. Regine Galanti teaches you how CBT-based skills and mindfulness techniques can help you manage your anxiety and reverse negative patterns. Through simple and effective exercises that help you change your thoughts, behaviors, and physical reactions, this helpful guide gives you the tools you need to navigate all of life’s challenges.

Anxiety Relief for Teens features:

•  Quizzes and self-assessments to better understand your anxiety and emotions and discover their respective triggers.
•  30+ CBT-based tools to manage your anxiety along with practical strategies for dealing with challenging emotions such as anger and sadness.
•  30+ mindfulness practices to cope with your anxiety in the present moment through visualizations, breathing, meditation, and other exercises.

Take a peek inside the book:

About the author:

Regine Galanti, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of Long Island Behavioral Psychology in Long Island, New York, where she brings warmth, sensitivity, and a tailored problem-solving approach to her practice. She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and has expertise in obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, parenting, and behavior problems.

She applies short-term, evidence-based strategies to help young people change their thoughts and behaviors. Specifically, she uses exposure and related behavioral therapy techniques to help those living with anxiety face their fears so they can live happier, healthier lives.

Order on Amazon today.

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If you are struggling with your teenager that suffers with extreme anxiety and you have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen through emotional growth. Contact us today for  a free consultation.

The post Anxiety Relief for Teens first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Adolescents Benefit from Sessions With Their Reflexologist

Parents are likely to bring their teenaged son or daughter to a reflexologist with a specific wellness goal in mind – be it stress or pain management, mood balancing, or help with focus for school.

Reflexology is thought to be a wonderful modality for young people to get started in natural medicine therapies. The entire body is mirrored on reflex maps found on the hands, feet and ears making this form of therapy ideal for whole-body health and wellness.

Using Reflexology for the Athletic Teen

Sports are increasingly demanding on the teenaged body – often resulting in soft tissue injuries. Reflexology can be a helpful tool in speeding the healing and recovery process after a rough game.

Students that are trying to juggle a full class load as well as extra curricular activities such as dance, basketball, soccer, wrestling and the like may find their calendar overwhelming. Self-help reflexology tips from the practitioner can help the adolescent cope with these feelings and manage stress in tense moments.

Balancing Hormones with Reflexology

Nobody ever said it would be easy going through puberty and today’s teens are bombarded with hormone disrupters since conception. Advanced reflexology techniques from a qualified reflexologist can be used on the endocrine system reflexes to restore a level of balance to the body’s hormone levels.

Preteens facing their first menstrual cycle and with classic signs of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can find comfort in a nurturing reflexology session. Techniques can emphasize reproductive system reflexes and pelvic area reflexes to ease cramping and discomfort.

Reflexology as a Coping Tool for Teen Stress

Pressures from school, friends and the community can be a daily source of stress for teens. Changes in family relationships can be difficult to cope with as well. While mom can enjoy a relaxing bath and dad can knock down a couple of beers after a hectic day, how do teenagers relax?

Families can set wellness goals and health plans to incorporate regular coping tools to combat the day to day stressors of life. These might include regular exercise, healthy meal plans, and family time together – like game night or pizza dinner.

Reflexology can fit nicely into a wellness plan for the teen. Frequency will be based on factors such as stress levels and health goals. The reflexologist may suggest initial appointments be kept weekly or every other week with the goal of tapering off to monthly or seasonally.

Self-Help Reflexology for Family Bonding

Many mothers report great satisfaction in their relationship with their preteen or teen when reflexology is taken home. Exchanging foot rubs can be a nightly or weekly event between a parent and the preteen or teen child. Don’t mistake this for a girls’ only activity though – many boys enjoy giving and receiving therapeutic touch at home too.

Ask the reflexologist for suggestions on techniques or specific reflex points that would be beneficial to work between appointments. Or consider enrolling in an introductory workshop on reflexology to learn the basics from a reflexologist. Adding reflexology into a wellness plan for the whole family can be a great way to encourage communication and gird up relationships.

Leaving Reflexology up to the Teen

It is not recommended to force the teenager to attend a reflexology session. The first appointment may elicit feelings of awkwardness or embarrassment – as with most new ideas from parents. Leaving the frequency up to the teen will give him a sense of control over his wellness so he can request a session without having to explain the need for one.

If the teen is particularly reluctant to trying something new, the reflexologist may offer an introductory meeting to answer any questions and explain what to expect from a reflexology session. Most adolescents find reflexology thoroughly enjoyable – it is relaxing, safe, and can be controlled by requesting changes in pressure techniques.

Contributor: Bianca J. Ward 

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If you are struggling with your teenager that’s causing family conflict or negative behavioral concerns and you have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen and your family. Contact us today for  a free consultation.

The post Benefits of Reflexology for Adolescents first appeared on Help Your Teens.

By Dr. John Duffy

Parenting is more difficult and complicated than it has ever been. Our kids today are psychologically and emotionally burdened by social media, unreasonable academic and social stressors, and an unprecedented stream of information.

They are exposed to the harshest elements of the world much too soon. The upside is that they have this thoughtful, compassionate worldview and sense of justice that we may have lacked. The downside is that our kids are in an undue degree of psychic pain. They suffer far more anxiety, depression, attention issues, and suicidal ideation than any generation preceding them.

More than ever, our kids need us to help them make sense of, and integrate, all they take in, starting at a very early age. To do that, we must know and truly understand their world.

This book is a complete guide to all of the issues that your child, teen and young adult will face.

So when your kid is overwhelmed (and your kid is going to feel overwhelmed), when you kid is exposed to too much (and your kid will be exposed to too much), she will know: I have mom and/or dad, and they are my constant, they are my solid. I can go to them and they are going to hear me out, without judgment. I know that. I know that I can talk to them and they are going to be there for me unequivocally. In their complicated world, with all of this stimuli, with all of this identity traffic, kids need some compass. They need you to be that compass.

Inside Parenting Inside the New Teen In the Age of Anxiety:

Learn about the “New Teen” and how to adjust your parenting approach. Kids are growing up with nearly unlimited access to social media and the internet, and unprecedented academic, social, and familial stressors. Starting as early as eight years old, children are exposed to information, thought, and emotion that they are developmentally unprepared to process. As a result, saving the typical “teen parenting” strategies for thirteen-year-olds is now years too late.

Urgent advice for parents of teens. Dr. John Duffy’s parenting book is a new and necessary guide that addresses this hidden phenomenon of the changing teenage brain. Dr. Duffy, a nationally recognized expert in parenting for nearly twenty-five years, offers this book as a guide for parents raising children who are growing up quickly and dealing with unresolved adolescent issues that can lead to anxiety and depression.

Unprecedented psychological suffering among our young and why it is occurring. A shift has taken place in how and when children develop. Because of the exposure they face, kids are emotionally overwhelmed at a young age, often continuing to search for a sense of self well into their twenties. Paradoxically, Dr. Duffy recognizes the good that comes with these challenges, such as the sense of justice instilled in teenagers starting at a young age.

Readers of this book will:

• Sort through the overwhelming circumstances of today’s teens and better understand the changing landscape of adolescence
• Come away with a revised, conscious parenting plan more suited to addressing the current needs of the New Teen
• Discover the joy in parenting again by reclaiming the role of your teen’s ally, guide, and consultant

Order today on Amazon.

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If you are struggling with your teenager’s behavior (anxiety and stress) and have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen through emotional growth. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The post Parenting The New Teen In The Age Of Anxiety first appeared on Help Your Teens.

We are now living in a time of uncertainty

Aside from peer pressure, family drama and normal life concerns — our children are now living through a pandemic.

How is your teen dealing with it – emotionally?

A teen version of the #1 Bestselling Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, this version is written specifically with a tween/teen audience in mind.

There are 60 coping strategies included in the book, and it’s divided into Coping Styles to make searching for a coping skill easier.

This book also includes several pages to support teens as they work on their coping skills, including:

• Feelings Tracker Worksheet
• Identifying Triggers and Making a Plan
• Positive to Negative Thoughts Worksheet
• Journal Pages
• Wellness Worksheets, including a Self-Care Plan

There’s also a rich resource section full of apps, books, card decks, and other resources to help teens deal with stress, anxiety and anger.

Author: Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been working with children, adolescents and their families for over 15 years. She is the Founder of Encourage Play, Coping Skills for Kids, and the host of the Calm & Connected Podcast.

Order your copy on Amazon.

Is your teen struggling with depression? You may be interested in the new Depression Workbook for teens.

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If your teen is struggling with depression and have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen through emotional growth. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The post Coping Skills for Teens Workbook first appeared on Help Your Teens.