Trails Carolina
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…
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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…
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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…
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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 moreImagine 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…
read moreRaising 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…
read moreImage source: Flickr user- Philippe Put 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…
read moreWhen 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…
read moreWhen young children are neglected in their earliest relationships, usually with their parents, they can form attachment issues. These issues stem from feeling repeatedly abandoned, isolated, and uncared for. Often, this comes as the result of living in poor conditions at a young age. Many children who have been adopted from foreign countries where they…
read moreIf your teen is going to their friend’s house, it’s likely that they’ll do more than watch movies and gossip. Instead of straight up telling you that they’re going to a party, they’ll tell you a lie about the night in they had with their friends. It’s only when that lie turns into something dangerous…
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