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Teen Mental Health Treatment in Arizona

Author Archives: Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC

  • Teen boy performing a skateboard trick illustrating teen boy trauma and risk-taking behavior tied to emotional distress.

    The Connection Between Teen Boy Trauma and Risk-Taking Behavior

    A traumatized teenager’s inner life can be challenging to decode. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, adolescents suffering from traumatic stress or PTSD are prone to reckless or risk-taking behaviors. Your son’s aggressive outbursts or experimentation with substances may not be a lack of discipline or typical teenage rebellion. While watching your son …

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  • Parent and teen at a kitchen table showing why conversations with teens turn into arguments during family talks.

    Why Conversations With Teens Turn Into Arguments

    A simple question may turn a normal check-in into an argument with your teen. Maybe you just want to know if they have trouble finishing their homework so that you can help. Arguments with your teen are not proof of bad parenting or a difficult kid. According to one study, many teens typically expect their …

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  • Teen boy sitting alone as concerned parents watch, illustrating trauma, emotional distress, and teen substance abuse risk.

    The Link Between Teen Trauma and Substance Abuse: What Parents Miss

    A strong correlation exists between adolescent experiences and later struggles. Teenagers exposed to traumatic events can easily develop substance use issues. We understand that watching your teenage son fall into alcohol or drug use can be confusing or terrifying. It is easier to view their actions as a lack of discipline or bad choices. However, …

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  • Illustration showing how childhood trauma rewires the teen boy brain and how trauma-informed treatment supports healing.

    How Childhood Trauma Rewires The Teen Boy Brain (And What Treatment Does About It)

    Multiple children experience a traumatic event before their 18th birthday. It is estimated that 62% of adolescents aged 13-17 years have been exposed to at least one traumatic event in their lives. For most households, these statistics often lead to sudden shifts in teen behavior. Your teenage boy may suddenly become explosive or completely withdrawn. …

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  • Silhouettes pushing the word TRUST illustrate why teen boys with PTSD struggle to trust male authority figures.

    Why Teen Boys with PTSD Struggle to Trust Male Authority Figures

    Research indicates that up to 5% of teenagers aged 13-18 suffer from teen post-traumatic stress disorder. Some, whose trauma is attributed to primary caregivers or authority figures, report severe interpersonal trust difficulties. For parents, it is difficult to watch a teenage son resist or reject the men in his life. It is easier to label …

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