Posts by Graham Shannonhouse
Social Isolation in Teens: The Damaging Effects of Being Left Out
Teens are social creatures. Just pay attention next time you’re out with your daughter and her friends. If one of them has to go to the bathroom, they will likely all accompany her. Peer relationships are a vital part of your child’s development. So, if your son or daughter is experiencing social isolation, it needs…
Read MoreDealing with Teenage Rebellion and Defiance
Many parents can pinpoint the exact year that their child changed from wanting to sit in their lap and read stories to wanting nothing to do with them. And it is not surprising that it is usually in the pre-teen and teen years. Conflict with your teenager may seem inevitable. The fact that teens can…
Read MoreThe Best Wilderness Therapy Programs Take a Holistic Approach
When traditional therapy isn’t enough, wilderness therapy programs offer a unique approach to healing. Rather than relying solely on talk therapy or medication, wilderness therapy programs for teens incorporate physical activities, mindfulness practices, and the natural environment to promote emotional, physical, and spiritual healing. But, not all youth wilderness therapy programs are created equal. The…
Read MoreBenefits of Wilderness Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder keeps individuals from enjoying life to the fullest. While researchers are unsure of what exactly causes SAD, some theories suggest it is light affecting the hormone called melatonin. Seasonal affective disorder impacts individuals differently- some experience more mild symptoms than others. Wilderness therapy lends itself to be an extremely effective measure to…
Read MoreDealing with Defiance: Six Tips for Decreasing Defiant Behavior
Most parents know what is like to live with a defiant teenager. Teens often feel inclined to push buttons and test the limits enforced upon them. This can be extremely frustrating for parents and create a constant power struggle within the home. The teenage years are when one is trying to figure out where they…
Read MoreTalking Boys and Body Image: Helping Boys Struggling With Body Image
The body image issue is often booming among girls. Dr. Roberts addresses the complex stigma that exists among the male population, “…there seems to be a stigma around males being too concerned with body image, and yet, there is societal pressure on males to meet certain physical ideals, like being very muscular. So, in a…
Read MoreAvoid a Bummer Summer: Summer Options For A Struggling Teen
Summertime is here! This means the teens are out of school. Unfortunately, with less supervision, summertime invites some to see what kinds of shenanigans they can get in to. If you have an at-risk or troubled teen living in your home, don’t worry. Come up with a plan and explore your options for keeping your…
Read MoreTeens Struggling with Trauma: Four Ways to Help
After a teen experiences a traumatic event nothing is ever the same. This event can alter their outlook on life, impact/change the way they interact with others, and impact their overall ability to function on a day-to-day basis. Traumatic events are a wide range of things that can have a severe emotional/physical impact on your…
Read MoreWhat is School Refusal in Teens?
“I don’t want to go to school! You can’t make me!” Those are all too familiar words for most parents who have children who dislike school or don’t want to go for other reasons. For some, this issue can be solved by getting teens involved in extracurricular activities that they are passionate about. For some…
Read MoreTalking About Mental Illness: Ways to Discuss Mental Health with Your Child
Mental health is often the elephant in the room. While recent years have seen mental health awareness, research, and treatment progress to new levels, talking about mental health is as difficult as ever. There are many reasons mental illness can go unheard. In some cases, it can be difficult for a person who hasn’t experienced…
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