Tag: <span>Teen</span>

Child Counseling DBT Teen Counseling By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

The Power of Mindfulness in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Teens

In today’s fast-paced and often stressful world, adolescents face a unique set of challenges that can take a toll on their mental well-being. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has emerged as a powerful tool in helping teens navigate these challenges and develop healthy coping mechanisms. One crucial component of DBT that has gained increasing attention is mindfulness. In this blog post, we will explore how teens are using mindfulness in DBT to enhance their emotional regulation, interpersonal skills, and overall quality of life.

Mindfulness: A Brief Overview

Mindfulness, at its core, is the practice of being fully present in the moment, observing one’s thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment. It involves cultivating a non-reactive awareness of one’s experiences, allowing individuals to respond to situations more skillfully rather than reacting impulsively. This practice has its roots in ancient meditation traditions, but its application in contemporary psychological therapies, such as DBT, has proven to be immensely beneficial, especially for teenagers.

Mindfulness in DBT for Teens

1. Emotional Regulation: Adolescence is a period marked by intense emotions and mood swings. Mindfulness helps teens become more aware of their emotions as they arise, giving them the space to acknowledge and understand their feelings without becoming overwhelmed. This self-awareness enables them to respond to emotions in healthier ways, preventing impulsive actions and fostering emotional resilience.

2. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Effective communication and relationship-building are crucial skills for teenagers to develop. Mindfulness teaches teens to be present and attentive during interactions, fostering better listening skills and empathy. This heightened awareness of their own emotions also aids in understanding others’ perspectives and responding in a more compassionate and constructive manner.

3. Distress Tolerance: Adolescents often struggle with managing distressing situations. Mindfulness provides teens with a toolkit to handle stressors without resorting to impulsive behaviors. By learning to sit with discomfort and observe their reactions without judgment, teens can build resilience and become better equipped to navigate life’s challenges.

4. Self-Validation: Mindfulness encourages self-compassion and self-acceptance. Teens can learn to validate their own experiences and feelings, reducing self-criticism and negative self-talk. This newfound self-awareness and self-kindness can lead to improved self-esteem and overall well-being.

Practical Tips for Teens Incorporating Mindfulness into DBT

1. Mindful Breathing: Encourage teens to practice focused breathing exercises, such as deep belly breathing. This simple technique helps anchor their attention to the present moment, calming their mind and reducing anxiety.

2. Body Scan Meditation: Guide teens through body scan meditations, where they progressively focus on each part of their body, cultivating a sense of bodily awareness and relaxation.

3. Mindful Observations: Encourage teens to engage their senses fully in daily activities. Whether it’s eating, walking, or even taking a shower, encourage them to notice the details they might otherwise overlook.

4. Mindful Journaling: Suggest keeping a mindfulness journal where teens can jot down their observations, thoughts, and feelings. This practice enhances self-reflection and reinforces their mindfulness skills.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy offers a holistic approach to helping teens develop essential life skills. The incorporation of mindfulness techniques empowers adolescents to become more self-aware, emotionally resilient, and socially adept. By practicing mindfulness in DBT, teens can gain a deeper understanding of themselves, cultivate healthier relationships, and build a foundation for a more balanced and fulfilling life. As the popularity of mindfulness continues to grow, its role in empowering teens through DBT remains a beacon of hope for a brighter and more mindful future.

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW
jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo therapy

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, and South West Michigan areas. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at-risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment, and trauma-related disorders.

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Depression and Teenagers

Adolescence is a transformative phase of life marked by tremendous physical, emotional, and social changes. It is during this time that many teenagers face challenges, including the risk of developing mental health issues like depression. Depression is a serious condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, and recognizing its symptoms in teenagers is crucial for early intervention and support.  Lets will delve into the complex world of teenage depression, shedding light on common symptoms that can help parents, educators, and friends identify those in need of assistance.

Depression Symptoms in Teens

  1. Persistent Sadness or Irritability: One of the key indicators of depression in teens is persistent sadness. Adolescents with depression often experience a prolonged period of feeling down, hopeless, or empty. However, it’s important to note that not all depressed teenagers may exhibit obvious signs of sadness. Instead, some might display heightened irritability, anger, or hostility, reacting negatively to even minor frustrations.

  2. Loss of Interest and Pleasure: Teenagers with depression may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, such as hobbies, sports, or socializing with friends. They may withdraw from social engagements, isolate themselves, or prefer spending excessive amounts of time alone. A notable decline in academic performance or lack of motivation in school may also be observed.

  3. Changes in Sleep Patterns: Sleep disturbances are a common symptom of teenage depression. Adolescents may experience difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or having a persistent desire to sleep excessively. These irregular sleep patterns can have a profound impact on their overall well-being, leading to fatigue, lack of energy, and reduced concentration.

  4. Appetite and Weight Changes: Depression can significantly affect a teenager’s appetite and eating habits. Some individuals may have an increased appetite, leading to weight gain, while others may experience a decreased appetite, resulting in weight loss. Such changes in eating patterns can further contribute to feelings of guilt or low self-esteem.

  5. Fatigue and Lack of Energy: Persistent feelings of fatigue, even after adequate rest, are common among depressed teenagers. They may exhibit a lack of energy, finding it challenging to engage in daily activities or perform tasks that were previously manageable. This overwhelming sense of tiredness can exacerbate their feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

  6. Difficulty Concentrating and Making Decisions: Depression can impact a teenager’s cognitive abilities, making it difficult for them to concentrate, remember information, or make decisions. This can affect their academic performance and lead to a decline in overall functioning. They may appear disengaged, struggle to follow conversations or experience a decline in problem-solving skills.

  7. Physical Complaints: Although depression is primarily a mental health condition, it can manifest in physical symptoms. Teens with depression may frequently complain of unexplained headaches, stomachaches, or other physical discomforts. These physical complaints should be taken seriously, as they may be a cry for help or an expression of their emotional distress.

Depression is a serious mental health issue that affects a significant number of teenagers. Recognizing the symptoms of depression in teens is crucial for early intervention and support. It is important for parents, educators, and friends to remain vigilant and attentive to changes in behavior, emotional well-being, and academic performance. If you suspect a teenager may be experiencing depression, it is essential to encourage open communication, offer support, and seek professional help from mental health experts. By doing so, we can provide the necessary support to help teenagers navigate the challenges of adolescence and emerge stronger, happier, and healthier individuals.

 

jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo therapyJeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, and South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at-risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma-related disorders.

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Depressed Teen – How can parents help?

Five Ways Parents can help their depressed teen

Depressed teens often go unnoticed, their suffering masked by our perception of how teens are just moody. Depression left untreated can be dangerous. Teenagers are at particularly high risk for depression. Depression in teens is one of the most common mental health problems they encounter. It can be difficult to tell if a teenager is depressed, or if he or she is just struggling with common ‘growing pains.’ Parents know their teenagers better than anyone else. It’s important for parents to trust their gut when it comes to talking to, and asking teenagers about depression. Here are five ways that parents can help a depressed teen.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Checking in with them

It’s important for parents to trust their gut and ask their teen about how they’re feeling. Just as important, when parents ask they need to be ready to listen. It can be difficult not minimize or justify how a teenager is feeling, especially when parents just want to ‘make it better.’ Also not rushing in with solutions helps teenagers know they can talk to their parents about anything and they’re not wrong or stupid for feeling a certain way. Finally, talking to your teenager about their feelings lets depressed teenagers know that their parents are there for them.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Helping them stay active

Exercise has for a long time been related to mental health benefits. Getting depressed teenagers moving is a critical piece of helping them recover. Teenagers should get at least an hour of physical activity a day. Keeping teens active in sports, after school clubs like art or choir also keeps them socially engage which helps combat isolation. Leveraging teens’ interests in music, art, or sports can make keeping depressed teens active somewhat easier.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Promoting good sleep

Adolescents whose parents set earlier bedtimes (like 10PM or earlier) are at significantly lower risk for depression. In one study teens who went to bed at midnight or later were 24% more likely to be depressed, and have thoughts of suicide. Parents can help teens get better sleep by enforcing bedtime, eliminating electronics, and screen-time in the bedroom, and monitoring their caffeine and sugar before bed.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Taking care of themselves

The stress of helping your teen through their depression can be exhausting. Its important for parents to have the energy to engage their teens about how they’re feeling, helping motivate them to stay busy and active, and also be consistent about helping them keep their good sleep habits. Parents need to take care of themselves in order to help take good care of their kids.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Knowing when to get professional help

Support and healthy lifestyle changes aren’t always enough to help depressed teens. It’s good for parents to know when to seek out professional help. Common professional intervention involves mental health counseling or psychotherapy—like cognitive behavioral therapy, and sometimes also includes medication. The discussion of reaching for professional help should involve your teen.

jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.

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Teen Depression - Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling
Depression • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

Teen Depression

Teens and Depression

Sleeping too much, irritability, mood swings these are all descriptors of adolescence. Depending on the severity they can also be depression symptoms.  Teenagers face a lot of challenges as they juggle figuring out who they are, while trying to fit in with peers. Also, teen depression goes beyond moodiness, and can be a serious problem.  It is difficult to parse what might be normal for teens.

Learn about signs of teenage depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health problems in adolescence. Contrary to what parents might expect teens with depression usually don’t just seem sad or mopey—They often seem irritable, and angry.  Agitation and irritability are some of the most common symptoms of teen depression.

Common symptoms of teen depression

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Sadness or a feeling of hopelessness
  • Anxiety
  • Staying awake at night and sleeping during the day
  • Sudden drop in grades
  • Use of alcohol or drugs and promiscuous sexual activity
  • Withdrawal from friends and or family
  • Irritability, anger, or hostility
  • Tearfulness or frequent crying
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Sleep too much or too little
  • Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
  • Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Suicide and Teen Depression

Severely depressed teens often think and talk about killing themselves. A terrifying amount of teenage suicide attempts are successful.  Additionally, it is important for any talk or attempt of suicide to be taken very seriously.  Also depressed teenagers are at particularly higher risk for actually completing suicide, and therefore should be watched closely any signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Red Flags for Teen Depression and Suicide

  • Talking about or joking about suicide or dying
  • Risky or reckless behavior, like driving erratically, or doing other dangerous things
  • Writing a suicide note
  • Having or talking about a plan to kill themselves
  • Giving away prized possession
  • Seeking access to firearm, pills, knife or other ways to implement a plan to kill themselves
  • Speaking positively about their death, “My family would be happier if I was just dead.”
  • Saying goodbye to friends and families as if for the last time

If your teen is doing any of these things, don’t wait call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or take your teen to an emergency room to be evaluated. September is national suicide prevention awareness month. Please take some time this month to talk to your teen about how they’re feeling, check in with them and let them know you’re there.

 

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Jeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.

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