Parents Corner
How To Talk To Your Teen About Treatment
Most parents we talk to have already made the hard decision by the time they pick up the phone. What’s holding them up isn’t whether their teen needs treatment. It’s how to say it out loud. You may be worried your teen will feel punished. That they’ll shut down, run, or never trust you again.…
Read MoreUnderstanding Mental Health Levels of Care for Teens
Mental health treatment for teens can occur in a several environments and include a range of therapies and support services. When you understand the various mental health levels of care that are available for teens, you’ll be best prepared to choose the options that are best for your child. At Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center, our…
Read MoreHow to Set Boundaries With a Struggling Teen
Setting boundaries with teens is a way to reinforce your family’s core values and establish clear expectations before a problem occurs. Though testing limits is a natural part of adolescent development, teens who are incapable of respecting boundaries may be exhibiting signs of ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, or another mental health concern. At Hillcrest Adolescent…
Read MoreWhat is Teen Angst? Is it Normal?
Parents of teenagers know that at this age, a child can be quite adept at expressing dramatic feelings and springing from one emotional extreme to another. Teenage angst can create a lot of challenging moments in a young person’s life, with the fallout extending to their family and friends. While teens may be full of…
Read MoreAverage Teen Screen Time: What’s Normal in 2026
Kids today do not know a world without screen time options. They are growing up with computers, smartphones, social media, and streaming services for music, television, and film. What might surprise some parents is the average screen time for teens has increased dramatically to the point it makes up a large amount of how they…
Read MoreCoping With a Disrespectful Teenager: 5 Tips
We all remember what it was like to be a teenager who thought we knew it all and found input from adults tiresome, but what happens when we become the parents of teenagers? Being on the other side of this parent/child exchange can be confusing and leave parents wondering what average teenage behavior is and…
Read MoreAdolescent Coping Skills: Tips for Parents
Teenagers face a mountain of challenges and often struggle with learning how to face each of them. When they lack an effective adolescent coping strategy, it can lead to difficult emotions, poor choices, and a lack of hope. Hillcrest provides residential and outpatient programs for young people who have lost their way and need help…
Read MoreMy Teen Won’t Get Out Of Bed: What To Do
Every parent of a teenager has experienced concern over how much or how little their child sleeps, especially when it comes to doing well in school and managing the rest of their lives. Sometimes, what started as something that happened now and then becomes habitual. Are you wondering why it seems like your teen won’t…
Read MoreTeen Mood Swings: Is It Normal?
Every parent worries about how the teenage years will go for their child because of how moodiness can affect adolescents as they try to balance between childhood and adulthood. Teenagers can run hot and cold in their moods and change how they feel quickly. When teenage mood swings become a predominant difficulty, the parents should…
Read MoreWhat Does PTSD Look Like In Teens?
When people hear the term PTSD, they often picture adults who have experienced war, natural disasters, or major accidents. But post-traumatic stress disorder can affect teenagers too—and it doesn’t always look the way parents expect. In teens, PTSD symptoms are often misunderstood or mistaken for typical adolescent behavior. Mood swings, withdrawal, irritability, or risk-taking can…
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