Parents Corner
For Parents: How Do I Help My Teen With Depression?
How do I help my teen with depression? If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, you are far from alone. Millions of young people in the U.S. struggle with depressive disorders every year. The good news is that depression is a treatable condition, and your efforts to support your child can be essential for their…
Read MoreHow To Deal With A Teenager That Doesn’t Care About Anything
One of the many challenges of parenting is trying to decide how to deal with a teenager that doesn’t care about anything. Occasional episodes of defiance or ambivalence are far from uncommon among adolescents and teens. But if this attitude persists or intensifies, that could be a sign of a serious problem. Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment…
Read MoreWhat to Do When Your Teen Refuses Treatment
A teen refusing to finish their homework can cause a minor family conflict. But a teen refusing treatment for a mental health concern can become a major problem. The good news is that parents have an array of options to help their child understand the value of getting help when they need it. At Hillcrest…
Read MoreHow 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…
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