By, Laura P. Naylor Abstract Depression is very common in adolescence and if not treated properly it can produce long-term negative consequences, such as alcohol and drug abuse, criminal behavior, and even suicide. It is imperative that parents, educators, mental health workers, and the entire society better understand the signs, symptoms, risk factors, and behavior problems associated with depression in adolescence. This paper attempts to provide society with a better understanding of adolescent depression by reviewing the current literature on adolescent depression. This paper defines depression and reviews its symptoms, as well as the genetic, environmental, and social influences of adolescent depression. It also examines gender and racial differences among adolescents with depression and examines treatment options available to depressed adolescents. Introduction Everyone has most likely experienced a sad mood at one time or another in their lives. A short period of … [Read more...]
7 Steps for Healing the Scars of Sexual Abuse / Incest
Portraits of Incest Sam always looked up to Uncle Joe. And when Uncle Joe invited him camping to celebrate his 11th birthday, Sam felt very grown up. But one night in the tent something unexpected happened… Don and Judy have noticed their daughter Carrie is clingier lately, and protests wildly when they leave for a night and put grandpa in charge. “What is going on with her?” they wonder. Jade used to like playing with her older brother Dan. Not anymore. The new games he wants to play do not make her feel good. Incest: Definitions and Key Thoughts Incest is defined as sexual contact between persons who are so closely related that their marriage is illegal, such as in the case of parents and children, first cousins, and siblings. Incest usually takes the form of an older family member sexually abusing a minor. [i] In the last twenty years, child abuse (including incest) has been given more attention. Still, incest remains one of the most under-reported crimes in the US. The … [Read more...]
Preventing Burnout and Overcoming Burnout
PORTRAITS Joann’s father had been placed in a nursing home last month. Her father often refused to eat and as a result Joann was constantly called by the home to go and visit. She suddenly felt herself becoming angry at all that she had to do. She felt that between visiting her father, caring for her children, and working at the school, she was always catering to the needs of everybody but herself. Bill was barely ever home. He felt that since starting his new job, a majority of his life was spent traveling for work. He was so exhausted that even when he had the chance to be at home, he could barely muster up the energy to play with his one-year-old son. Jessica is a great student. She’s involved in plenty of school activities, clubs, and is even taking advanced courses. Lately she has had difficulty sleeping, relaxing, and even focusing on her studies. She is beginning to think that nothing she does is ever good enough, so much that she doesn’t even want to apply to … [Read more...]
Overcoming Loneliness and Isolation in Boston: 7 Strategies for Making Friends and Building Relationships
“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” —Mother Teresa Today’s world appears more connected than ever, and yet many people feel lonely and isolated. Everyone keeps their friends up-to-date with Snapchat and Instagram. Smart phones mean communicating with people across the world can happen in an instant. Through technology, people are rarely alone, and yet, loneliness in the age of social media is a well-documented phenomenon. Being around people is a very different experience than being connected to people. People often share their pictures or their status, but are they sharing their fears, their happiness, their concerns, or their delight? And are they listening as their loved ones open up about their own experiences and feeling? Even though many people are rarely alone, they are not experiencing these healthy connections. Instead, they often feel isolated. Loneliness involves a deep sense of isolation and disconnection from others, … [Read more...]
Boston Therapy Groups– and Group Therapy in Cambridge, MA
Group Therapy is in high demand in Boston, MA and Cambridge, MA. To respond to the many requests we have received for Group Therapy services, Thrive Boston Counseling now offers Therapy groups for a variety of life issues, including: Women's Issues Boston Therapy Group (and Cambridge Therapy Group) Men's Issues Boston Therapy Group (and Cambridge Therapy Group) Sexual / Pornography Addiction Boston Therapy Group (and Cambridge Therapy Group) Substance Abuse Boston Therapy Group (and Cambridge Therapy Group) Parenting Skills Boston Therapy Group (and Cambridge Therapy Group) Don't see a group that works for you? We have new groups starting all the time. Call us, and let us know what specific therapy group you would like to see offered. For more information, visit the official Boston Group Therapy webpage at: http://www.thriveboston.com/boston-therapy-groups-cambridge-group-therapy.html … [Read more...]