When It’s More Than Just “Teenage Behavior”: Understanding the Hidden Struggles of Today’s Teens
What feels like typical teenage behavior can sometimes be a signal of unseen emotional battles.
As a therapist, I often hear parents say, “it just seems like normal teen stuff.” And while mood swings, independence-seeking, and shifting social interests are all part of adolescent development, sometimes there’s more going on beneath the surface.
For many teens today, this chapter is less about rebellion and more about quiet overwhelm. Adolescence is already a time of rapid change, but today’s teens are facing challenges that go beyond what many of us experienced growing up. It’s a season of intense identity formation, academic pressure, social media comparison, and emotional ups and downs—many of which they may not yet have the words to explain. These pressures can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, loneliness, and emotional exhaustion, all of which may be hard to detect.
Summer and Emotional Growth: Supporting Your Child’s Therapy Journey
Summer is a season of growth. The days are longer, school routines slow down, and families often find more space to reconnect. It’s also a time when many children and teens begin or deepen their therapy journey; a process that can bring both healing and uncertainty.
While therapy sessions offer a space for children and teenagers to process emotions, learn coping tools, and build resilience, the support they receive at home is just as crucial, if not more so.
Your child’s therapist holds space during sessions. You hold space the rest of the week.
Pride Every Day: The Need for True Allyship in Therapy and in Families
Welcome to June – the month when the world embraces summer with warm weather, sunshine, and, most importantly, Pride Month.
For many LGBTQIA+ individuals, June is a time to celebrate authenticity, showcase who we are, and highlight the importance of Queer love in the world. But even as rainbow merch fills store shelves and Pride festivals light up our cities, the truth is that June is not inherently safer for Queer people.
The visibility that Pride brings, while vital to affirming our identities, can also create more danger. In many parts of the United States, especially where I’m located in Florida, being Queer means facing a complex mix of celebration and fear, acceptance and hostility.
The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media
May is Mental Health Awareness Month; a time to highlight the importance of emotional well-being, break stigmas, and encourage open conversations about mental health. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I have seen firsthand how our digital habits, especially social media use, can both support and hinder mental wellness.
In today’s always-connected world, social media is nearly inescapable. It keeps us informed, entertained, and connected. However, it is also increasingly linked with challenges like anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, negative body image, and even loneliness. As we reflect on mental health this May, it is important to consider how social media affects us and how we can engage with it more intentionally.
Why BMI Isn’t the Whole Story: Rethinking Health and Body Size
When it comes to understanding our health, one number has somehow taken center stage, despite being wildly outdated and overly simplistic: the Body Mass Index, or BMI. You’ve probably seen it on your medical chart, heard it mentioned at the doctor’s office, or even learned about it in school as a quick, easy, and go-to measure of wellness.
But let’s be real: BMI is an outdated, oversimplified tool that was never meant to define your individual health, and it shows.
Harm Reduction Model for Eating Disorder Treatment
We know that eating disorder recovery is never a linear journey. When it comes to purging behaviors, many of us are familiar with the pressure to “just stop.” But, in my experience, adopting a harm reduction model can be one of the most effective ways to support individuals as they navigate their path to healing.
This approach focuses on progress, not perfection, and offers a compassionate, individualized approach that meet clients where they are. Small victories matter. Each small step forward builds confidence, reduces harm, and reinforces the motivation to keep going; an essential part of sustaining recovery in what can often feel like a long and challenging journey.
* The information contained in blog posts is general information for educational purposes only. This information is not, nor is it intended to be, therapy or professional advice. Posts reflect the opinions of Bloom clinicians, based on their own expertise. Please consult your mental health provider regarding advice or support for your health and well-being.
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