CST Recommendation: Film, "Depression: Out of the Shadows"

During my time working at an inpatient treatment facility for substance-using teens, I spent a lot of time looking for videos to show them. One particular day, I found this film at a local library, "Depression: Out of the Shadows" and I was so happy I did! It's a very informative film, but despite its educational format, most of the teens were glued to the screen.

3 Major Issues Teens Deal with in Today's World: From a Therapist

 

 

I own a private practice in South Florida and one of my specialties is working with teens and their relationships with their parents. Because of my work, I have encountered teens who are dealing with issues such as depression/bipolar disorder, self-harm/cutting, substance abuse, and symptoms from an experienced trauma. No matter what mental health issues a teen is dealing with, there are always common issues across the board. The top three issues I've seen arise the most are:

What Do You Give Your Child To Choose Instead of Drugs?

Notice all the choices shown? Parents, if you expect your teen to make better choices than using drugs/alcohol, you should take responsibility by GIVING THEM THESE CHOICES. Does your teen have any athletic involvement? Have you signed them up for a music/Art/photography class? Do you know what their hobbies are and support them? What are the things your family participates in, as a unit, on a weekly basis?

If you can't provide these answers, then how do you expect your child to pull tools from an empty toolbox? 

All this week, 2/23/15-2/27/15, I will be focusing on providing information focused on the Parent-Teen relationship. Check back everyday for my posts, comment your thoughts, share them to others, and check back other weeks for a focus on many different therapy-related issues.

 

- written by Nakya Reeves, LMFT. I am a therapist and owner of a private practice where my main focus is working with families on communication issues, especially the parent-teen relationship. I also utilize PhotoTherapy techniques in my practice, which integrates bringing in photos that the client has taken or collected as a part of the therapy process. I can be contacted any time at csolutionstherapy@gmail.com

Parents - What if You Could Set Your Phone to: Call Me if the Liquor Cabinet Opens?

#CSTrecommendation for Parents - Apps that help you monitor your home!

Technology is amazing. There's an app for just about everything, whether useful or completely pointless but entertaining. Every once in a while, there's something I see that grabs my attention and I think, "This would be great for a client!" 

If Weight Loss Is Your New Year's Resolution

As I see the New Year's Resolution posts I just want to remind you - female AND male - that you are bigger than the number on the scale. I support health and wellness, but please make sure workout goals are just that. Anything overboard to look a certain way or gain acceptance is unhealthy. And if that's the case, strive for self-acceptance this year 💚💛💙

- written by Nakya Reeves, LMFT. I am a therapist and owner of a private practice where my main focus is working with families on communication issues, especially the parent-teen relationship. I also utilize PhotoTherapy techniques in my practice, which integrates bringing in photos that the client has taken or collected as a part of the therapy process. I can be contacted any time at csolutionstherapy@gmail.com

PhotoTherapy Mindfulness Group Session for Substance Abusing Teens

Pictures from a photography-outing today. I conducted a group therapy exercise focused on mindfulness. The group walked to a local park and had the opportunity to capture photos on our walk, as well as at the park. It was a great experience seeing who really connected with the exercise, the differences in each teen's interpretation of the assignment, and the differences in perception. I'm very passionate about this topic, so I made sure to capture a few of my own.

#Selfies - Using the Self-Portrait in the Therapy Room

If you are not aware, "selfie" is a term used in popular media to describe a picture that is taken by a person of that person. Selfies are fun - we see pictures of people holding their phones in just the right position to capture a new outfit, an exciting moment, new hairstyle, or whatever. Selfies show the world what we are doing, and how good we look doing it! It's probably the most common way of sharing photos on Instagram, Facebook, SnapChat - you name it. You see the word everywhere - articles, blogs...I think there is even a show called Selfie (though I'm not sure if the same definition applies). So how can this phenomenon, commonly used for entertainment, be helpful in a therapeutic way?

Alternative Emotional Expression for Teens Dealing with Trauma

[These pictures are shown with permission from my clients] - The collages shown were done by a few teenagers I worked with in a therapy session focused on trauma they had experienced. I often find that, for some clients, it is difficult to verbally express feelings relating to certain topics such as trauma, deep rooted self esteem issues, problems in their family, divorce, etc. In these cases, I like to find alternate means of expression that can be just as therapeutic as a conversation about feelings. I push clients to go deep in alternate-media sessions,
and often get interesting interpretations - which turn into deep, revealing sessions

Here are the clients' explanation of their creations: