Teen Depression

Depression among teenagers is very common. Know the signs and what do do if you notice any of them in your child:

• difficulty sleeping/sleeping too much
• lack of energy
• difficulty concentrating
• no longer enjoying activities they used to enjoy
• change in appetite 
• change in functioning at school

Teens are at high risk for suicide so it is important to take these symptoms seriously and not ignore them. The good news is, depression is common and treatable through talk therapy and/or medications. If you notice any of these signs in your child, consult with a mental health professional who can provide an assessment to determine if your child is depressed. Letting your child know that depression is common and not a permanent condition can help instill hope and show that you are there to support them through this time. Lead a good example as a parent and don't be afraid to ask for help! Teaching your child to ask for help when they need it will be an invaluable skill to them later in life if they experience difficulties again.

These signs can also be synonymous with substance use so intervene as soon as you can and help your child get the help they need. Suspect your teen is using? Read here                                                                           

Keeping Your Teen Safe for Summer

I know Summer is almost over but it's still not too late to be thinking about this topic. The busier you can keep your child, doing positive activities, the less trouble they can get into and the more relaxed you will feel. You can talk your teen about getting a job for the Summer or volunteering at the local animal shelter or children's hospital. It's a win-win situation, they will have something to put on their college resumes and you will be able to sleep better at night knowing that they are spending time doing something meaningful and positive. It will also means less time for the boredom that gets a lot of teens into trouble like trying drugs or alcohol. Why not encourage your teenager to try new things? If volunteering or working isn't possible, encourage them to be active outside, go for a hike, go to the beach and help around the house. Just remember that it's important to maintain as much structure as you can even when school's out.

www.thefamilysavvy.com/ offers many different ideas for things for families in LA to do!

Do you remember how you spent your Summers as a teenager?

Suspect Your Teen is Using?

Have you been suspicious about your child's behavior lately? Are they more irritable than they used to be? Are their grades dropping in school? Did your child recently start hanging out with a new group of friends? Is your child not coming home when they are supposed to and lying about what they are doing?

It could be possible your teen is using substances and addiction is very common. Nearly 9 million people under the age of 26 currently have an alcohol or drug abuse problem. Addiction affects all types of people and it is treatable. Talk to a professional to assess your teen and get them the right type of treatment.

I have worked with many teens with addiction problems and have seen firsthand how important early intervention is along with the support of the family. Casual substance use can quickly lead to addiction which can cause bigger problems (think DUI, car accident, overdosing) so the earlier you ask for help, the more future problems you can avoid. Understanding as a parent that helping your child get sober is going to require work on your part as well will help prepare you for treatment.

Here are some resources that can help you deal with these substance abuse issues:

• http://www.drugfree.org/
• great comprehensive website to help you prevent and intervene with your child
• Call 1-855-DRUGFREE 
• Parents Toll-Free helpline to answer your questions and suggest resources
• http://www.drugabuse.gov/
• National Institue on Drug Abuse
• http://teens.drugabuse.gov/
• Information for teens and parents about substance abuse and addiction
• http://www.samhsa.gov/
• substance abuse and mental health services administration

Please comment and share any other resources that could be helpful!

Grief Support in Los Angeles

Unfortunately we will all experience death of a loved one at some point in our lives. There are many different emotions that come up when we are grieving.  We may be sad, angry, scared, feel guilty or even relieved. It is often a confusing and difficult time and we often feel very alone, no matter what the age.

These are some of the many reasons why I am so grateful for organizations that support people during the grief process and serve on the Associate Board of Our House Grief Support Center. Our House's mission is to provide grief support services, education, resources and hope to children and adults. Our House is a place that children and adults can go to meet with their peers who are experiencing the same loss and feel supported during this time. They have locations in West Los Angeles and Woodland Hills and I encourage you to check out their website and read more about what they do. If you live in the LA area, please go take a tour of the facilities and feel the warm, welcoming presence of the building for yourself. They are a great resource to remember when you or someone you know experiences a loss.

I have participated in Our House's Grief Specialist Training and feel that the information I learned in the intensive training has provided me with more tools to help children through the grieving process. Their training is excellent and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the grief process.

I am also looking forward to volunteering at Camp Erin this August! This is a great place for children ages 7-17 to get away for a weekend full of fun while connecting with other children who have also experienced the death of a loved one. The Moyer Foundation partners with Our House to put on the Camp every Summer in Los Angeles but there are many other Camp Erins that go all over the country in case you don't life in LA! Check out the website for more information!

Read more about Our House Grief Support Center and all of the great things they do!

Working with Teens

The teen years can be the best and worst years of your life. It is the time that you start breaking away from your family and learn who you are. It is the time that you make decisions that can impact the rest of your life. There are whirlwinds of emotions that will overcome you when you have your first heartbreak or get rejected by your dream college. Teens can also experience extreme joys of falling in love for the first time, feeling the exhilaration of driving on their own and feeling extremely connected to their peers. These are just some of the many reasons I love working with teens. Being a part of these formative and challenging years is rewarding and reminds me of why I chose the career that I have of being a therapist. I look forward to sharing my thoughts and more information with you about adolescents. What was your favorite part of being a teenager?