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Staff Highlight: Abby Dickinson, LMSW

May 8, 2023
Abby Dickinson, LMSW

Get to know Abby Dickinson, LMSW, an adolescent primary counselor at Skyland Trail in Atlanta, Georgia, who treats teens ages 14 to 17.

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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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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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Addressing the Teen Mental Health Crisis

May 25, 2022
CDC's Dr. Deb Houry on stage at podium presenting slides about protecting youth mental health

As part of the 2022 Dorothy C. Fuqua Lecture, mental health experts discuss the teen mental health crisis and what people, schools, and systems can do to protect youth mental health.

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Staff Highlight: Brandon Baird, LMSW, MPH

March 24, 2022
A photo of Brandon Baird, LMSW, MPH

As a family therapist for the adolescent treatment program, Brandon Baird, LMSW, MPH, has helped many families reconnect and find new ways to support one another.

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Teen Avoidance Behaviors

December 14, 2021
teen alone in room

Teen avoidant behaviors—even if they are driven by depression or anxiety—make many mental health problems worse. There can be a “snowball effect.” Avoiding one situation leads to avoiding another, and another, until the teen effectively shuts down.

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Staff Highlight: Trudy Farkas, RN

December 6, 2021
A photo of Trudy Farkas, RN, Lead Nurse, Adolescent

Lead nurse at the Skyland Trail adolescent treatment program, Trudy Farkas, RN, uses her skills and compassion to care for teens ages 14 to 17.

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The First Year of Adolescent Treatment at Skyland Trail

December 3, 2020

Skyland Trail began offering evidence-based psychiatric treatment programs for adolescents in October 2019 with the opening of the J. Rex Fuqua Campus . In just over one year since opening the program, we’ve reached several important milestones. Check out a few highlights of the first year of adolescent treatment at Skyland Trail below. Teen Clients…

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Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

December 19, 2019
Teen with OCD washing hands at sink

In psychiatry, OCD is sometimes referred to as “the great imitator” because the behaviors of someone with OCD can look like symptoms of many other disorders. Psychiatric evaluation by a mental health professional is a crucial first step to ensure patients with OCD receive an accurate diagnosis and are matched with an evidence-based treatment plan. OCD is a chronic illness. By engaging in evidence-based mental health treatment, individuals with OCD can control the symptoms and manage the associated disability.

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What Parents Should Know About Youth Athletics and Mental Health

May 28, 2019
little league baseball pitcher

For decades, youth sports in the United States has been an avenue for kids of all ages to make friends, be physically active, challenge themselves, and learn skills such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and the value of hard work—all of which can provide great stepping stones towards personal growth and achievement later in life. When it…

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