What Actually Keeps Teens Safer When Things Feel Scary
The holidays have ramped things up. As a DBT specialty center working with high-risk teens, we're getting more calls from panicked parents than any other time of year.
The combination of darkness, routine disruption, and family pressure creates a perfect storm for teens already struggling with emotional regulation. But here's what parents need to understand: crisis does not automatically mean hospitalization.
After 15 years of working with suicidal teens, I've learned that distress and danger are not the same thing. How we respond shapes what happens next—and there are specific skills that keep teens safer while helping them build a life worth living.
Why No Contact Starts in Adolescence: Building Lasting Teen-Parent Bonds
No contact refers to when adult children choose to cut off communication with their parents. From a clinical perspective, this decision is rarely impulsive—it's usually the result of patterns that began during adolescence when boundaries were repeatedly dismissed or emotional safety wasn't established.
When Your Teen Can't Get Out of Bed: Understanding and Addressing School Avoidance
School avoidance isn't laziness, defiance, or a phase. It's a sign that something in your child's internal or external world feels too big, too painful, or too overwhelming to manage.
When your teen who once got up on time suddenly can't get out of bed, or a student who used to push through tough days now melts down at the thought of school, it's confusing and overwhelming for the whole family.
At Creative Healing, we see this struggle every day. What starts as "just today" can quickly turn into a pattern that disrupts everything. But here's the good news: with the right support, teens can get back to school, back to routine, and back to feeling like themselves.
This isn't about being tougher or trying harder. School avoidance has multiple contributing factors—from undiagnosed neurodivergence to mood disorders to family patterns that unknowingly reinforce avoidance. Understanding these layers is essential for breaking the cycle.
Surviving December: A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Teen Mental Health with DBT Skills During the Holidays
The holidays are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year”—but for many teens (and their parents), December brings more stress than joy. Learn why this month is uniquely challenging for emotionally sensitive teens, and discover practical, DBT-informed strategies—including Accumulating Positives, Coping Ahead, and PLEASE skills—to help your family find calm, connection, and hope.
Is Therapy Enough? When to Consider DBT vs. Partial Hospitalization for Your Teen
If your teen is struggling with self-harm, intense emotions, or sudden changes in behavior, it’s natural to wonder if weekly therapy is enough—or if they need something more intensive, like a partial hospital program (PHP). Here’s what most parents haven’t been told: a comprehensive DBT program is often the level of care you’re looking for. Learn what makes DBT different, when PHP is necessary, and how to make the best decision for your family.
