Abandonment Issues at the Holidays

By Anna McKenzie The holidays often bring families together. While the emphasis on close relationships results in joy for many, it can mean sadness and fear for others. If you have experienced abandonment, estrangement, or the traumatic loss of a parent or guardian, the holidays may dredge up painful memories. Even… Read More

Putting Social Media in its Place

Social media. It’s hard to imagine that there was ever a time when it didn’t pervade almost every aspect of our lives. Personal, professional and everything in between, social media is here to stay, so we’d better find a way to live with it. The question is, how do we master our use of social media, rather than letting it master us? Read More

What Parents and Caregivers Should Know About Program Aftercare

“Aftercare” is a general term for activities and other resources that behavioral health and addiction treatment patients receive after being discharged from a primary care facility. Aftercare answers the question of “Now what?” once your child has completed a behavioral health program. This aftercare can help keep patients on… Read More

Scars: What Lies Beneath Physical Abuse

A child that’s being abused doesn’t stop loving its parents, it stops loving itself. As young people come into the Claudia Black Young Adult Center with addictions, mental health and trauma issues we often find that beneath those are the scars of physical abuse. Read More

Scars: What Lies Beneath; Emotional Abandonment

When we think of trauma we most often think of incidents that are blatant and acute, visible and sudden, such as a natural disaster or a car wreck, mass shootings, or acts of terrorism. But some people experience trauma as more subtle and chronic that present in the form… Read More

Scars: What Lies Beneath Sexual Trauma

Leah, 21, presents herself as shy and pleasant, yet has a history of multiple relationships with abusive men, a history of cutting and most recently made a suicide attempt. Alexis, 24, seeks treatment after a heroin overdose. Jon, 22, comes to treatment for depression. He has dropped out… Read More

Scars: What Lies Beneath

Losing a loved one is one of the most distressing experiences one can face. At the Claudia Black Young Adult Center we often treat young adults who have experienced a loss that is not a natural part of growing up. Most people experiencing normal grief and bereavement have a period of sorrow, numbness, and even guilt and anger but gradually these feelings ease, and it's possible to accept the loss and move forward. Read More

It Can Get Better. We Can Help

Life as a teenager or young adult can be very exciting, yet along with growing independence and new beginnings, there can be quite a few challenges too. Contending with things like identity, the need for approval, self-esteem, and purpose can sometimes lead to an increased degree of anxiety, confusion, and sometimes periods of sadness or depression. Read More

Young Adults Are More Likely to Develop Seasonal Affective Disorder

January. The excitement of the holidays is over. It’s time to return to your college classes after a nice, long break. For those in northern climates, there’s also less sunlight and painfully cold temperatures to contend with. It’s completely normal to feel a little bummed out about it all, right? Read More

Kid Cudi, Shame, and Depression

Hip-hop artist and actor Kid Cudi announced yesterday that he is currently receiving treatment for depression and suicidal thoughts. In a Facebook post he said, “It’s been difficult for me to find the words to what I’m about to share with you because I feel ashamed…” Read More