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Ecological Systems Theory in Adolescent Residential Treatment

December 29, 2022
ecological systems theory of child development - 5 nested systems

Ecological Systems Theory, or EST, is an integral part of the Skyland Trail adolescent residential treatment program for teens.

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Staff Highlight: Molly Mercer-Deadman, M.Ed

December 22, 2022
A portrait photo of Molly Mercer-Deadman, M.Ed, Education Outreach Director at Skyland Trail.

Get to know Molly Mercer-Deadman, M.Ed, education outreach director at the Skyland Trail mental health treatment program in Atlanta.

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Holiday Stress and Sense-Based Mindfulness

November 17, 2022
a grinning woman takes a deep breath above a mug during the holiday season

by Sheila O’Shea The holidays are a joyous time for many, but they can also be stressful. Cooking huge amounts of food, meeting with crowds of family and friends, the pressure to make everything perfect, the list goes on. Mindfulness—especially sense-based mindfulness—can be helpful in easing holiday stress when dealing with hectic situations. However, focusing…

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6 Ways to Fight Loneliness During the Holidays

November 14, 2022
holiday social activity

Holidays don’t have to feel lonely. Skyland Trail CBT experts share tips on ways to stay connected over the holidays. Plan in advance and get a few things on the calendar so you have something to look forward to. 1. Plan ahead and reach out. If this is your first holiday away from your loved ones…

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Give the Gift of Validation This Holiday Season

November 3, 2022
mother giving gift to adult daughter with evergreen in the foreground

Show people who are struggling that it’s ok to not feel good during the holidays. You are here for them despite their holiday blues.

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Get to Know: Holly Tufan, LAPC

October 24, 2022

Holly Tufan, LAPC, is a group therapist and care coordinator with the Skyland Trail adolescent treatment program for teens ages 14 to 17. In that role, Holly leads therapeutic groups, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills and ecological systems theory. They also help adolescents prepare for discharge from treatment, ensuring that teens and their families…

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The Top 3 Ways I’ve Been Supported

October 24, 2022
an illustration of a man sitting in the palm of a supportive hand

By Gordon Corsetti, Skyland Trail adult programs graduate It’s shocking what a text message or an email can do for my mood. Since I told my friend group a month ago about the resurgence of my depression, the amount of unexpected well-wishes has truly blown me away. Some came from friends of mine that I…

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How to Make a To-Do List Work for Handling Mental Illness

October 1, 2022
Close-up of a hand holding a pen and writing in a notebook

by Sheila O’Shea One of the things Skyland Trail gave me when I was there was structure. After losing my job due to a mixed episode that sent me to a mental hospital, my life threatened to slide in a very aimless direction. The regular schedule of classes and activities helped stabilize things, and one…

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Setting Up A Bedtime Routine

September 1, 2022
a lightbox with the words "Time for Bed" sits a top of a bed in a bedroom

by Sheila O’Shea One of the things I learned from my time at Skyland Trail was how essential good sleep was for recovery from mental illness. Setting up a bedtime routine was an important part of that. Over time, I established a routine to signal to my brain that it’s time to go to bed.…

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Do I Have to Take Medications to Manage My Mental Illness?

August 5, 2022
two psychiatric medication capsules stack vertically with a question mark in front

The decision of whether or not to take psychiatric medication is ultimately a decision for the patient to make in partnership with their physician. Decisions informed by the current foundation of research on best practices in prescribing, patient education, and adherence strategies will yield the best long-term outcomes for patients and likely prevent adverse reactions and side effects that make some people skeptical about the utility of psychopharmacology.

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