Guest contribution by the licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Alex Boeving Allen

– As we near a year of quarantine, it is imperative that our teenagers understand the importance of taking care of themselves and seeking support when they need it. After a year of challenges never before overcome – isolation from friends, pressures of financial uncertainty, and the lack of major milestones (like graduation, prom, etc.) – this isn’t a teenage fear or something they “come on” just over. “

Dr. Alex Boeving Allen, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Vice President of Brightline Clinical Strategy, suggests four techniques parents can use to teach their teenagers to integrate into their daily lives when the going gets tough. Brightline specializes in behavioral health solutions for children and offers a dedicated program for adolescents with support that ranges from counselor-led coaching for everyday stressors and family challenges to diagnosed conditions such as anxiety or depression. It is in the power to know that we have tools to create a sense of calm within ourselves.

Cognitive refresher

The cognitive transformation, or the process of questioning negative thoughts and aligning them with reality, can help anxious teenagers feel more secure. Dr. To each suggests a simple refresher exercise: “When we are in disaster, that things will always be bad, or life will never feel good again, emphasize that” nothing is always and nothing is never “.”

Diaphragmatic breathing

Sometimes fear is as physical as it is mental. To help your children regain a sense of calm in their bodies, Dr. All the simple but scientifically based method of abdominal breathing. It is great to do it together with your child! Take some time with your children to take three slow, deep breaths through your stomach. Slow diaphragmatic breathing signals your body that it is safe and that it is okay to calm down. “I often tell children I work with that we are in complete control of our breath and that it can help calm our thoughts and feelings,” says Dr. Everyone.

Practice gratitude

When it feels like everything has been mixed up, it’s important for teens to identify positive things to focus on in their life. What are you grateful for The goal is not to ignore anxious thoughts, but to remind yourself that it is possible to feel good feelings even when things are difficult.

Integrate additional support

Going through all of this with your teen can feel very difficult for all of you. The bottom line is doing what you can, realizing when you need outside help, and getting through together. Brightline care for adolescents goes beyond therapy – it offers a comprehensive platform for behavioral health, teletherapy, evaluation and medication management when needed, as well as support for parents.

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