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Four Ways to Address Trauma In Teens

Four Ways to Address Trauma In Teens 150 150 se_admin

When a traumatic event occurs, it may seem like helping your teen work through the trauma is the most challenging thing you’ve ever done. No one wants to see their child suffer, especially after your teen has experienced something absolutely horrifying like assault or a car accident. Parents seeking ways to help their child cope with trauma in teens should consider the following advice for addressing their child’s trauma.

Addressing Trauma In Teens

  1. Believe your child. It’s important that your teen knows you’re on their side in the situation. Instead of denying that their trauma happened in the first place, always accept what your child says happened. Even if it ends up not being true later, it’s much better for your child’s overall mental health if they believe you trust them.
  2. Don’t personalize your guilt. You may feel guilty for your child’s trauma. Don’t let them know that. It’s important to deal with your own feelings over the traumatic event separately from your child. They will feel even worse if they know what you’re going through because of their trauma.
  3. Understand the symptoms. Trauma in teens may look different from the trauma symptoms you’ve heard about in adults. Teens may be withdrawn and isolate themselves from friends and family. They may be experiencing flashbacks and nightmares related to the traumatic event. If your teen is experiencing any symptoms of trauma, it’s important to take action as soon as possible against these symptoms.
  4. Get professional help. It’s important for your teen’s overall well being to seek help as soon as you know that the effects of the traumatic event are making life difficult for your teen. Consider your therapeutic options and find the best fit for your child.

Solstice East can help

Solstice East, a residential treatment center for teen girls ages 14-18, can help your daughter work through trauma in teens.

For more information about Solstice East, please call (855) 672-7058 today!

 

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After the Orlando Shooting: Animals Can Help Ease Teen Trauma

After the Orlando Shooting: Animals Can Help Ease Teen Trauma 150 150 se_admin

The New York Times recently wrote an article reporting on the surprising helpers brought in to help comfort those experiencing trauma or stress after the Orlando Shooting: therapy dogs. The K-9 Comfort Dogs team brought 12 golden retrievers to Orlando.

This is just one example of how therapy animals have helped relieve stress and deal with traumatic events. Recently, popularity for using therapy animals for teen trauma has increased; now, comfort dogs are often brought onto college campuses–even some high schools–during exams in order to help students de-stress.

Judgement-free and ‘unconditional love’ help teen trauma victims

“Dogs show unconditional love.” –Tim Hetzner, President of Charity which runs K-9 Comfort Dog unit

Dogs–and therapy animals in general–offer a unique relationship that is hard to find in peers and adults. The relationship provides a strong bond which is judgement-free and uncomplicated. Animals also have a way of offering up unconditional love with no questions asked, something many teen trauma victims desperately need. Studies have shown that animal therapy has the ability to improve teen trauma symptoms, especially in those who experienced childhood abuse. Also, it’s easy to see the effects of one’s actions when dealing with a therapy animal, which helps teens understand natural consequences and boundaries more clearly. It’s a way for a teen trauma victim to learn to build a positive relationship in a safe, healthy, and simple way.

Many types of animal therapies exist

Animal therapy isn’t isolated to just comfort dogs, it can be with cats, horses, rabbits, and more. Though therapy animals aren’t necessarily considered “service animals,” they can be pivotal in a teen trauma victim’s progress and success. Therapy dogs and horses are some of the most common animals used for animal therapy. The act of caring for these animals develops responsibility, relationship-building skills, respect, boundaries, and more.

Solstice East can help

Solstice East is a residential treatment center for girls, ages 14 to 18, grappling with depression, anxiety, teen trauma, and other emotional or behavioral problems. We strive to help our girls develop healthy habits for teens and lead themselves back onto a path of success and happiness.

For more information about how Solstice East treats teen trauma, please call 828-484-9946.

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Beyond PTSD: Choosing Residential Trauma Treatment Centers for Your Child

Beyond PTSD: Choosing Residential Trauma Treatment Centers for Your Child 150 150 se_admin

Commonly associated with tragedies, trauma is often misrepresented as being exclusive to those who have survived extreme, life-changing events. A veteran returning home, for example, may be traumatized by the events they witnessed. Children, on the other hand, are rarely assumed to have been traumatized. In reality, trauma is complex – and, as research shows, trauma does not have to be caused by catastrophic events to severely affect a person’s mind. As a matter of fact, depending on the situation and person, any number of factors can induce trauma. From national tragedies to observing neighbors fight, the potential causes of trauma are virtually endless and do not even have to involve a child directly. Approximately 43% of all children are estimated to have encountered at least one trauma in their life, with 3%-15% of girls developing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

But even in cases where the trauma doesn’t cause symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the trauma can have a negative effect on a person’s well-being. This is precisely where residential trauma treatment centers can help.

Benefits of Residential Trauma Treatment Centers

If left untreated, the results of trauma can cause profound changes in a child. A child who was once happy and playful may turn somber and irritable. A traumatized teenager is far more likely to engage in dangerous behaviors such as substance use in the future. Fortunately, residential trauma treatment centers can help a child avoid mistakes they would otherwise regret in the future.

At residential trauma treatment centers, there is no trauma too small. Often, children who experience the effects of trauma feel the world more immediately than their peers. Whether the trauma was caused by a small event or a large one, residential trauma treatment centers can help a child return to a healthy path.

The caring, professional staff and the state-of-the-art facilities of a residential treatment center guarantee that your daughter will be in the best of hands and will receive the level of care she deserves. The experiences that your daughter can gain at residential trauma treatment centers are not merely temporary; as a matter of fact, they last forever. Although trauma is never pleasant, with the help of a residential treatment center, it does not have to take hold of your child’s life.

Solstice East Can Help

Solstice East, a residential treatment center for teen girls ages 14-18, can help your daughter work through her trauma-related difficulties and form effective coping skills on her journey towards healing and happiness.

For more information about Solstice East, please call (855) 672-7058 today!

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Importance of Art Education: Classes Help Kids with Autism 

Importance of Art Education: Classes Help Kids with Autism  150 150 se_admin

Experts Are Arguing the Importance of Art Education in Autism

The importance of art education is something that has been continuously debated within our society. Many people believe that there is no need for art education to be included in school curriculum. Children only need to learn the fundamental skills including math, science, English, or history. But others believe that the arts provide a form of education that challenges students who don’t always excel in the fundamental curriculum. If you’re on the edge in what you think, experts today argue the importance of art education for kids with Autism. A recent article by Romper discusses how art education can improve social skills for kids with Autism.

School Integration

Recently, more schools have been integrating students with high-functioning Autism into traditional classrooms. While this provides multiple benefits for Autistic children and their peers, it can have its challenges when it comes to social interactions. Experts argue the importance of art education for this reason. They believe certain art classes like drama, can help kids with autism learn social skills and help them in real-world interactions. Drama class exercises like role-play and improve, provide kids with high-functioning Autism experience and practice at common social interactions.

Theory of The Importance of Art Education

Researchers tested the theory of the importance of art education in Autism on a group of Autistic children studying at the SENSE Theatre program run by Blythe Corbette, an associate professor of psychiatry at Vanderbilt University. In this program Corbette and a group of specially trained “peer models”, taught kids with high-functioning Autism basic drama exercises. They compared the children in her program with a control group. She found that the drama students were better able to recognize faces, understand different perspectives, and regulate anxiety. Brain imaging also revealed that their brains were more similar to those of children without Autism.

The Benefits of Art Education

Corbette explains that these changes occurred because improvisation exercises require the participants to be flexible and rely on the social cues of their partners. Many children with Autism rely on internal scripts to deal with social interactions, which makes acting a language they’re already familiar with. Children with Autism can experience challenges with verbal and non-verbal communication. A child with Autism’s inability to interact in socially acceptable ways can lead to negative experiences and responses from their peers, including bullying and avoidance. This research reveals the importance of art education remaining a part of school curriculum. The importance of art education is not only shown in Autism but also for kids who simply struggle with social skills. Drama therapy teaches social skills in a fun and enjoyable way. Art education can drastically benefit a kid’s life, much more than a basic math equation or fact about history.

Solstice East can help

Solstice East is a residential treatment center for girls, ages 14 to 18, grappling with teen depression, anxiety, trauma, and other emotional or behavioral issues. We strive to help our girls lead themselves back onto a path of health and happiness.

For more information about how Solstice East handles art education, please call 828-484-9946!

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Without Missing a Beat: Ways Therapeutic Boarding High Schools Combine Therapy and Education

Without Missing a Beat: Ways Therapeutic Boarding High Schools Combine Therapy and Education 150 150 se_admin

One of the greatest challenges of residential treatment centers often boils down to ensuring that a child can continue their academic studies while participating in various therapeutic activities. Fortunately, by combining therapeutic boarding high schools with residential treatment, not only can the gap between therapy and education can be eliminated entirely, but the two factors can complement each other. In therapeutic boarding high schools, the skills learned through the range of approaches to therapy can be used in the classroom; similarly, the book lessons can be applied in therapy. By integrating into each other, academics and healing join together to ensure your child receives a well-rounded therapeutic experience. 

There are numerous benefits to therapeutic boarding high schools being integrated with the clinical programs at residential treatment centers, one of the most significant being the sheer boost of self-worth that a girl can get from succeeding academically. Neither the healing process, nor the learning are forced to play second fiddle; in fact, both factors are extremely important to contributing to your daughter’s success. By helping your daughter overcome her struggles, therapeutic boarding high schools allow her more time and confidence to thrive academically. This, in turn, helps your daughter feel better.

Choosing Therapeutic Boarding High Schools for Your Daughter

There are many reasons to choose a therapeutic boarding school for your daughter. Some of these include:

  • Individualized plan. A therapeutic boarding school tailors both the lesson and the treatment plan to match your daughter’s needs. Since every girl is different, it is only natural for the experience to be personalized as well.
  • Warm, professional staff. A team with years of experience guarantees that your daughter will be treated with the respect and care she deserves.
  • Family-based approach. The family is a crucial part of a child’s life. At a therapeutic boarding school, the family is kept in the loop with frequent progress updates and communication sessions.
  • Small classes. It is only too common for schools to have teachers doing thirty different things at once. At a therapeutic boarding school, small classes allow a teacher to focus more on the students.
  • Experience of a lifetime. The residential approach is more than a temporary solution to your daughter’s struggles. In truth, it is an adventure that will forever remain with your daughter.

Solstice East Can Help

Solstice East, a residential treatment center for teen girls ages 14-18, can help your daughter work through her trauma-related difficulties and form effective coping skills on her journey towards healing and happiness.

For more information about Solstice East, please call (855) 672-7058 today!

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Eating Disorder Behaviors

Eating Disorder Behaviors 150 150 se_admin

A General Understanding of Eating Disorder Behaviors

When people envision someone with eating disorder behaviors, the most common image is of a young, thin, Caucasian female. But the reality is that anyone can be struggling with eating disorder behaviors, including your brother, best friend, father, or mother. Eating disorder behaviors do not differentiate based on gender, age, social status, body size, race, or ethnicity. While anyone can have an eating disorder, girls often struggle with stereotypical expectations from their peers to be skinny, voluptuous, and beautiful. They are life-threatening mental illnesses and are often highly misunderstood. An article by Psychology Today discusses how to recognize eating disorder behaviors.

How We Judge the Conditions of an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders are one of the few mental illnesses where we base an individual’s level of suffering on their physical appearance. But what people often forget is that eating disorder behaviors can have drastic mental and physical consequences on individuals who show no physical signs of an eating disorder. Many people with eating disorder behaviors appear to meet our societal standard of healthy or may even be considered overweight. Eating disorder behaviors are considered characteristics of mental illnesses, and should never be determined based on someone’s weight.

The Misconceptions

It the misconceptions and stigmas that are contributing to the lack of understanding about what eating disorder behaviors are. The myth that you can tell someone has an eating disorder based on their appearance can be detrimental to those who don’t fit that stereotypical mold. Individuals with eating disorder behaviors may not seek treatment, receive support, or could remain in denial about their illness because they think there is a specific “look” for having an eating disorder. Eating disorders can appear in people of all sizes. Our society frequently considers skinny individuals who compulsively exercise and have restrictive behaviors to be sick. Yet, when an overweight person does the same they are encouraged for working on their physical well-being. Eating disorder behaviors can be deadly, but with the right treatment options people can gain the support and recovery they need.

Solstice East can help

Solstice East is a residential treatment center for girls, ages 14 to 18, grappling with teen depression, anxiety, trauma, and other emotional or behavioral issues. We strive to help our girls lead themselves back onto a path of health and happiness.

For more information about how Solstice East handles disordered eating, please call 828-484-9946!

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Social Anxiety Treated With Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy

Social Anxiety Treated With Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy 150 150 se_admin

In an article published by Forbes, a psychotherapist, Karen J. Helfrich, was interviewed about the ways mindfulness based cognitive therapy can benefit those grappling with social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Recently, mindfulness training has gained popularity in treating various mental health issues, including stress, depression, and more.

Social anxiety disorder defined

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by an intense fear of being judged by others or embarrassed. It generally pops up in early adolescence, averaging at about 13 years old. When thrown into certain situations, social anxiety disorder has the power to wrap a teen in a cloak of terror, making it nearly impossible to function normally. For your teen girl, her social anxiety trigger could be anything from presenting in class to ordering at a restaurant.

What is mindfulness based cognitive therapy?

Practicing mindfulness based cognitive therapy has deep roots in the ancient practice of meditation. Though most often taught through meditative training, yoga is also utilized as a way of practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness based cognitive therapy allows a teen to become aware of their inner feelings, physical feelings, and outside surroundings. It gives them the ability to effectively work through issues instead of being bombarded and overwhelmed by them.

“Mindfulness is simply paying attention to one’s present-moment experience.” –Karen J. Helfrich

Taking the time to calm their mind and concentrate on their core feelings and environment allows a teen to develop the skills needed to live in the present and deal with current issues efficiently instead of dwelling on things that cannot be controlled.

How mindfulness training can help with social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder gives a teen a response of extreme fear or “fight-or-flight” when in certain social settings. Mindfulness based cognitive therapy allows a teen to acknowledge and further understand their triggers, which in turn grants them the opportunity to calm themselves in those situations. Instead of being helpless against the uncontrollable fear, this teen can observe the fear infringing, compose themselves, and deal with it accordingly. It doesn’t work immediately, but many studies have confirmed mindfulness training’s power to improve a person’s control over their emotions.

Solstice East can help

Solstice East is a residential treatment center for girls, ages 14 to 18, grappling with anxiety, trauma, depression, and other emotional or behavioral issues. We strive to help our girls lead themselves back onto a path of health and happiness.

For more information about Solstice East, please call 828-484-9946!

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Working Towards Cool and Calm: Emotional Therapy

Working Towards Cool and Calm: Emotional Therapy 150 150 se_admin

When things get rough within a family, many people begin looking for the magical therapy session that will fix everything within a short amount of time. The truth is tough: it doesn’t exist. Working through familial and individual issues takes time and usually emotional therapy (Emotionally-Focused Therapy) is used to do it. This type of therapy helps people work through their problems, gain control of their emotions, and move towards a resolution.

What is emotional therapy?

According to the Emotion-Focused Therapy Clinic (opened by the main developer of emotional therapy), emotionally-focused therapy is an experiential approach “designed to help people accept, express, regulate, make sense of and transform emotion.” It works off of the idea that in order to move forward, one has to recognize and work through their past experiences, even if those include painful emotions or trauma. 

Who benefits most from emotionally-focused therapy?

Emotional therapy can be beneficial alone or used with other therapies as well. It’s often used for instances of extreme emotional problems that keep them from keeping control over their feelings or emotional outbursts.

For those who have experienced traumatic life events or feelings that often elicit extreme fear, sadness, or anger when thought about, emotionally-focused therapy taps into the root of those emotions and forms a healthy relationship with the memories, sensations, or feelings. By learning to deal with disturbing memories, feelings, or thoughts, people are able to control their reactions when revisiting those parts of their lives and therefore move forward in the healing process.

Solstice East can help

Solstice East is a residential treatment center for girls, ages 14-18, struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, and other behavioral or mental issues. By using therapeutic techniques, such as emotional therapy, we’re able to help your daughter work through their problems and move forwards towards a healthier future.

For more information about Solstice East, please call 828-484-9946.

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