Family

When children are born they rely on their parents for everything from food to shelter to safety. Parents are the most important thing in a baby’s life, and while parents want their children to grow up to be independent, it’s not uncommon to still want to feel important in their life. But being an important…

Have you ever been in the middle of a family conflict and thought to yourself: “This feels familiar.”? Families spend a lot of time together, and as a result, know each other well. And while that can be a positive thing, on the other hand, that person who knows you well, also knows exactly how…

For some, the winter holidays are the most wonderful time of year. For others, it brings out their inner Grinch, irritated by the joy other people seem to be experiencing during a period of intense family stress. Teens look forward to unstructured time over winter break, but it often only takes a few days of…

The personal challenges children face as they transition into adolescence are difficult enough as they are; however, their changing perception of their social role can lead to strained relationships with family whose support they may reject during this difficult period. As children grow up, they believe they are expected to become more independent, often very…

At Trails, our Common Ground programming provides an opportunity for students  to reconnect with their families after being away. The reconnection happens through a series of planned activities and events that span over multiple days. Participating in Common Ground can be beneficial for the family dynamic as a whole. Therapists provide the proper support and…

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…

Imagine waking up and looking in the mirror to see a body that you don’t belong in. This is not the beginning of a science fiction film. This is real life and it happens every day for people with gender dysphoria who have not fully transitioned into the gender they align with. What is gender…

Raising a child is both the most rewarding, most natural thing in the world – and the most difficult one. There isn’t a family in the world that hasn’t had at least one major fight. Moreover, pushing boundaries is a perfectly normal part of growing up. Testing limits allows a child to assert their individuality…

Arguments are a natural part of life. Growing up virtually requires an occasional fight or two. Testing boundaries is a way to discover one’s own identity; however, when these fights become a regular occurrence, there may be a problem. Even in the darkest of moments, there are several tips to keep in mind when resolving…

When is too much, in fact, too much? There are multiple strategies on discussing substance use with out of control teenagers. Some argue that honesty about your own experiences with substances (if such experiences exist) is an important step to connecting with your child. Others argue that discussing your own experiences sends the wrong message…