The winter holidays are upon us – but this year the holidays are going to be different than any year in recent memory. In the U.S., the six-week period between mid-November and New Year’s Day – in a typical holiday season – is the most publicly festive time of the year. These holidays take over normal life. Almost everyone gets involved in some way or another. Cities and towns across
If you’re like most parents, you struggle to get your teenager up in the morning. Bleary-eyed and grumbling, they can’t seem to get out of bed before 10am. Obviously, this creates problems. You become frustrated they’re asleep 10 minutes after the alarm goes off. They’re unwilling to leave the comfort of their bed, so you – because you have to choose your battles – decide to leave them alone. But
Each year on November 21st, adoption awareness advocates recognize and celebrate National Adoption Day. A group of national adoption organizations – including The Dave Thomas Foundation, The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, The Alliance for Children’s Rights, and The Children’s Action Network – held the first National Adoption Day on November 18th, 2000. That day, this group of adoption advocacy organizations lobbied the adoption courts in nine U.S. cities to
It’s tempting to look at the upcoming holiday season, throw up your hands, and say, “COVID has changed everything, so why bother?” We get it. We’re tired and frustrated, too. But there’s no way we’re giving up on the holidays – and we don’t think you should, either. We’re not giving up on the holidays because we love them. Love. Them. We don’t want you to give up on the
If your teenager has a mental health or substance use disorder, you may have considered residential treatment for them at some point in the past. If they have a mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, you understand that if they spend a period of time focusing solely on healing and recovery, they’ll receive more support – and likely make more progress – than they do in
What causes learning difficulties? Researchers have long believed that learning difficulties stem from specific regions of the brain. For example, studies link ADHD to the cerebellum, prefrontal cortex, striatum, and other areas. However, a recent study from the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at the University of Cambridge found that the connectivity between different areas of the brain is at the root of learning difficulties. It’s how areas of
Evolve Treatment Centers is excited to announce the addition of Shikha Verma, MD, as Medical Director, Northern California, Melissa E. Vallas, MD, as Medical Director, Southern California, and the launch of our Clinical Advisory Board, which will be led by Bradley Peterson, MD. Dr. Verma is a board-certified General and Child and Adolescent psychiatrist. She has extensive clinical experience in the management of a wide variety of mental health disorders, including
If you’re a Santa Barbara resident – a parent, teen, or a professional who works with adolescents – the current data on substance use among high school students in your area may be of interest. The following information comes from the California Healthy Kids Survey. Officials administer the anonymous survey to every school district in California on an annual basis. The tables below show rates of substance use for high
Each November, people across the United States recognize and celebrate National Inspirational Role Models Month. This is a month to appreciate the people in our lives who set positive examples we aspire to emulate. Role models perform a vital function: through their character, accomplishments, and behavior, they show us what’s possible in life. Although we can have role models at any age, role models are particularly important for teenagers. Teenagers
Parenting experts often say it’s important to keep a united front in front of children. That means parents should back each other up, even when they disagree. Let’s look at an example: Your adolescent comes home past curfew, reeking of marijuana. Your teen knows using marijuana is against family rules, yet it’s the second it’s happened in a month. If your spouse is a tough love type parent, they may
