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Parent Guides

A pathway to understanding:

If there were a manual for parenting teens, it might start here at Evolve.

Parents and teens from around California and across America trust our team of clinical experts to help them face many challenges and unique situations. We’ve developed Parent Guides that offer the latest information and advice relating to some of the issues we see in our clinics each day, as well as some of the therapies and approaches we use to turn hope into a new beginning.

Parent Guides A-Z

Frequent acting out, cruelty to people or animals, defiance, and aggressive behavior are just some of the warning signs of conduct disorder in children and teens.  While some of these behaviors can be alarming to parents, they can also have serious consequences for you teen –  including getting suspended or expelled from school or landing […]

What are Mood Disorders? Broadly speaking, a mood disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a significant, prolonged emotional disturbance that affects an individual’s ability to function in their daily life. The emotional disturbance can be low, sad, and depressive, or high-energy, unpredictable, and manic. The type of disturbance depends on the disorder, and […]

Adolescence is a challenging phase of life, so it’s not uncommon for teens to develop their own quirks and idiosyncrasies as they attempt to navigate the turbulence.  Unfortunately, for a small percentage of teens, these quirks and unusual behaviors are indicators of a serious mental health issue – obsessive-compulsive disorder.  Typically referred to as OCD […]

Angry outbursts, acting annoyed by the seemingly smallest things, defying the rules you’ve set, being spiteful, swearing, irritability, and making hurtful remarks when they’re upset.  Almost every parent of a teen has observed these frustrating behaviors at least on occasion, and perhaps even numerous times, particularly during periods of high stress.  Some degree of non-compliance […]

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes a person’s brain to suddenly go into fight-or-flight mode at any given moment, even though there’s no actual threat or danger.  The anxiety and fear experienced are very intense and perpetuate the fear of having future panics.  This can seriously disrupt the life of teens, often making […]

Let’s talk about a tough topic—parental abuse. It’s more than just conflicts and defiance; it involves subtle control over power dynamics within families. This article will cover the complexities of parental abuse, including warning signs, what factors can cause a child to be abusive toward a parent, and ways to seek help.  There is hope […]

As a parent, witnessing your teen struggle with night terrors and nightmares can be deeply unsettling. At Evolve, we specialize in adolescent care and are committed to helping teens improve their mental health. We’ve created this guide to help you understand teen nightmares and night terrors and provide effective support for your teen. The Differences […]

Dealing with sibling fights can be a challenging aspect of parenting. Sibling conflicts are a common part of family life, but they can sometimes turn the household upside down. Whether it’s arguing over resources, feeling jealous, or just not getting along, these fights between brothers and sisters are more than just simple disagreements. They’re an […]

Raising a teenager can feel like navigating a minefield, especially when that teen is grappling with anger issues. As a parent, you might find yourself at a loss amid the mood swings and outbursts, wondering where the cheerful child you once knew has gone. It’s hard not to take their anger personally, to feel hurt, […]

Navigating an autism diagnosis for your teen can be daunting. With tons of misinformation about autism on the internet, it can be difficult to know what autism really is, or how you can help your teen through its challenges.  At Evolve, we specialize in teen and adolescent treatment, including treatment for teen Autism Spectrum Disorder […]

There are few things in life more devastating than discovering that your child has been abused. Whether the abuser is a person you know or someone you’ve never met, the sense of betrayal and fear that can come up can be overwhelming—both for your child and for you. It can also be highly disconcerting to […]

Discovering that your teen is using cocaine can be extremely jarring, especially with the recent uptick in fentanyl-laced cocaine. If you know your teen is using, it’s important to act fast but remain calm, as getting angry could alienate them further. Understanding the nature of cocaine, recognizing the signs of use, and knowing how to […]

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