Teen Behavioral Health

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…

One of the most common adolescent experiences is being part of a teen clique or trying to become a member of a specific one. It helps define the individual to themselves, their fellow students, school personnel, and parents. Being part of a clique or left out of one can cause changes in a person’s self-esteem…

Being a teenager is already complicated. Between academic pressure, social dynamics, changing bodies, and the quest for identity, adolescence can feel like a roller coaster. But what happens when your teen’s “moodiness” starts to feel like something more serious? Teen depression is a real and growing concern. According to the CDC, rates of depressive episodes…

As a parent, staying informed about your teen’s world can be a challenge—especially when it comes to issues surrounding substance use. One of the biggest obstacles is the ever-changing language teens use to describe drugs and drug-related behaviors. “Street slang” is often designed to be covert, allowing teens to talk about risky behavior right under…

Most people associate childhood with play, learning, and carefree moments. But for some children, the responsibilities of adulthood come far too early. This phenomenon—known as parentification—is when a child is forced to take on roles or emotional burdens that should belong to the adults in their life. Parentification often goes unnoticed because it can appear…

Teen years are filled with emotional ups and downs, shifting identities, and challenges that sometimes manifest in unexpected behaviors. One behavior that can confuse and concern parents is stealing—especially when it seems compulsive or without reason. If your teen is consistently taking things they don’t need or even want, it might be more than just…

Being a teenager comes with its fair share of ups and downs. Between changing hormones, social pressures, academic stress, and the quest for independence, it’s no wonder teens can seem like they’re on an emotional rollercoaster. But when does “normal” teenage moodiness cross the line into something more serious like depression? For parents and caregivers,…

Teenagers often ride an emotional roller coaster—one moment they’re laughing with friends, and the next, they’re shutting themselves in their room. This emotional intensity is a normal part of adolescence, driven by hormonal changes, evolving identities, and social pressures. But how can parents or caregivers tell the difference between typical teen sadness and something more…