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Part of being a good parent is communicating the dangers adolescents may be exposed to as they get older. Sex, drugs and alcohol are all talking points that are commonly addressed. But, does that truly cover it all? According to this study published in the journal of Public Policy & Marketing, many teens simply don’t …

If your teen enjoys passing the time gaming, you likely already know that video games are rated by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) for age appropriateness—sports games like “Madden NFL” are often rated ‘E’ for Everyone, musical participation games like “Rock Band” are usually rated ‘T’ for Teen, while first-person shooter games like “Call …

Body image issues do not discriminate by gender. Teen girls are not the only ones struggling with body image; Researchers say teen boys are also highly concerned about their weight and physique to the point of developing eating disorders, binge drinking habits and even drug dependencies. Adolescent boys are holding themselves to specific—maybe even impossible—body …

There is so much that is positive about our family program visit to PQ that it could require a really long writeup to capture it all. Rather than tell you what is likely already known (great staff, wonderful caring parents, fascinating approach to deal with adolescent problems), I’ll limit my general comments to just a …

Depression can plague people of all ages, and adolescents are no exception. By the end of their teen years, 20 percent of young people will have had depression, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. When they receive help, more than 70 percent will respond positively to treatment and improve with therapy …

A lack of confidence at any age can be a dangerous and overwhelming problem. But feeling capable in a world influenced by peer pressure can be especially difficult for teens. Not only are they already going through a period of rapid development—changing bodies, developing minds and evolving social circles—but they are growing up in a …

Teen bullying can conjure serious and longstanding consequences in an adolescent’s life. By definition, bullying is described as unwanted and aggressive behavior acted out among school-age adolescents that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. It also encompasses another important component ─ a pattern of behavior that is repeated over time. No single factor puts …

Never underestimate the power of the wilderness. It tenders a commanding, yet holistic, backdrop to the therapeutic process for troubled teens and young adults. At Pacific Quest, our Wilderness Therapy Program supports students in a peaceful environment, empowering them to make both dynamic and compelling changes to their lives. With the absence of technology, substances …

Rebellion, non-conformity, waywardness or impulsive behavior—whatever you call it, it is often normal (and expected) behavior in adolescents during their teenage years. But if you’re confused about what happened to your once-sweet child who now acts out in a rebellious fashion, you are not alone. Adolescent brains process information differently than adult brains, which translates …

The adolescent years are a critical window of vulnerability for alcohol and drug abuse. Experimentation is common. Unfortunately, often teens don’t see the link between their actions today and the consequences tomorrow. Did you know that by the time teens reach their senior year in high school, almost 70 percent will have tried alcohol, half …