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Why Gender-Specific Mental Health Treatment Is Beneficial for Adopted Girls
Healthy peer support is an essential part of treatment for mental health issues. Adopted girls may have unique struggles, such as difficulty setting boundaries and creating bonds with peers. Gender-specific mental health treatment can benefit adopted girls because it provides them with a safe and structured space.The treatment programs at Havenwood Academy can give your…
Read MoreCauses of Behavioral Issues in Adopted Teens
Adopted teenagers have a significant risk of developing disruptive behaviors that cause social, emotional, or relationship problems compared to non-adopted children. You might wonder if your adopted teen has issues that will ever heal or whether they will form a strong bond with family members. Many adoptive parents worry they are not doing enough to…
Read MoreNeurofeedback for Beginners: Getting Help for your Teens
What is Neurofeedback? Neurofeedback, also known as EEG Neurofeedback, is one of the most powerful upcoming tools for therapeutic intervention. It is a type of “learning that uses special devices to provide instant feedback when the desired mental state is achieved. The computer-driven feedback may be auditory, visual, or tactile. (Demos).” As a form of…
Read MoreSigns of Attachment Disorders in Adopted Teenagers
As an adoptive parent, you may be aware of the possibility of attachment disorders and how they can impact your child’s development. However, you may not know how to recognize the signs that an adolescent or teenager has an untreated or undisclosed attachment disorder. The symptoms and side effects are not always intuitive. If you…
Read MoreSexual Health Risks for Teenage Girls in Foster Care
Foster care can provide a supportive environment for children who may have lived through adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). However, adolescents in foster care have a high chance of developing behavioral issues such as unsafe sexual practices. Foster children have an “increased risk for health-risking behaviors, including substance use, delinquency, depression, suicidality, and sexual behavior.” Interventions…
Read MoreThe Impact of Early Childhood Trauma on Adopted Girls
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including neglect, abuse, and sexual assault, can cause trauma responses to surface later in life. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “Traumatic experiences can profoundly affect development and functioning across the lifespan, including how children experience relationships and display mental health symptoms.” You can protect your adopted…
Read MoreSexual Assault, Shame, and Attachment Disorders in Girls
Teenage girls have the highest risk of sexual abuse and assault of any population group. Unfortunately, in most cases, the crimes against them go unreported. Girls with untreated sexual trauma have a higher risk of developing substance use disorder (SUD) or mental health issues. Some girls never get treatment because they do not report the…
Read MoreHelping Your Adopted Daughter Through Puberty Without Shame
Every parent has to decide when to talk with their adopted daughter about the physical changes that take place during puberty. Adopted teenagers with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) might have no experience with or knowledge of these types of conversations. Your daughter might feel ashamed or embarrassed about how her body and…
Read MoreWhy Havenwood Academy Focuses on Academics During Treatment
Academics may not seem like an essential part of a teenager’s life when they are struggling with mental health or behavioral issues. At Havenwood Academy, we believe getting help in school is a big part of the healing process and make educational success a vital part of our curriculum and treatment. We believe school does…
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