We consider teen psychological testing a crucial aspect of the development and implementation of treatment plans. Yet, it is often a step that is either hurried or neglected completely. Teen psychological testing is conducted within the first 48 hours of a teen’s arrival and may include written, verbal, and visual evaluations to assess the teen’s cognitive and emotional functioning. This is one of the aspects of our treatment programs that sets us apart from the rest, in the thoroughness, attention, and quality we give to the diagnostic process. We believe this careful beginning is what eventually results in our highly individualized, specialized treatment plans for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorder treatment.
The most central goal of psychological testing at Paradigm is to achieve the most precise and thorough diagnosis possible. Though this may seem an obvious, rudimentary goal of all treatment centers, the unfortunate truth is that diagnoses continue to be poorly done year after year, leaving large gaps in teens’ treatment plans, which makes the teens vulnerable to relapse and other future struggles. This sad reality is evident by the statistics of teen relapse, misdiagnosis, and undiagnosed Co-Occurring Disorders. Admittedly, there exist many contributing factors to this kind of poor treatment and diagnosis practices. For instance, many of the missed opportunities for early intervention and proper treatment occur in the context of teens visiting their primary doctors, when things go missed or symptoms related to Mental Health struggles are misdiagnosed as other ailments. However, what’s even more unfortunate is that often these mistakes aren’t mitigated, even once teens engage in treatment for Substance Abuse or Mental Health Disorder treatments.
Another important aspect of our approach to teen Psychological Testing is an effort to recognize the strengths, interests, and desires of the teens. Often undervalued or even ignored in the therapeutic diagnostic process, we believe these positive attributes can be used as powerful positive forces, both during and following treatment; therefore, we aim to engage and support these strengths from the very beginning. It’s common for treatment approaches to be based on teens’ weaknesses and symptoms, especially those old approaches based on the perspective from the 1950s, which are still surprisingly present in treatment today.
Though we recognize that incorporating treatment of symptoms is one necessary aspect of the treatment process, we also believe that to seek only to alleviate or eliminate symptoms is to make teens vulnerable to the very triggers and conflicts that led to or worsened their symptoms in the first place. In these cases, even if teens leave having “recovered,” they are going to be ill-equipped to take on the struggles and triggers they’ll still have to face back in their everyday lives.
In the case of Mental Health Disorders, treating symptoms related to specific illnesses is crucial and sometimes primary to supporting teens to address other aspects of their current situations. However, at Paradigm Treatment, we do not aim to simply support teens to become more comfortable with the symptoms of their illness, but rather, more equipped, knowledgeable, and resourceful to deal with their illness, moving forward. In the case of Substance Abuse Disorders, properly diagnosing the underlying triggers, causes, and conflicts that led to the abuse in the first place is necessary.
Other Youth Mental Health Topics You May Find Helpful…
Knowing the Three Stages of Adolescence Might Help You Understand Your Teen
Well, perhaps completely understanding your teen may be a stretch. But certainly understanding the typical stages of adolescence might give you insight into the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors your teen may experience. With this information you might be able to be pick your battles, be more compassionate, and learn to roll with what your teen…
Continue Reading Knowing the Three Stages of Adolescence Might Help You Understand Your Teen
How Parents Can Help a Lonely Teen
No parent wants to think that their teen is lonely and isolated from their peers. When you think of the high school experience, you probably think of events like dances, pep rallies, and parties that generally involve lots of people. If your teen is sitting home alone most nights, it’s easy to get worried about their social…
How Physical Environment Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health
Mental health isn’t something that happens entirely inside a person’s head. Yes, mental health problems often involve brain processes and brain chemistry, but other factors matter as well, including the physical environment a person lives in. The physical environment can trigger dormant mental health problems or exacerbate existing mental health problems. This may be especially…
Continue Reading How Physical Environment Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health
3 Ways to Be the Best Role Model for Your Teen This Year
Every parent wants their child to grow up to be the best version of themselves. That’s why, as a parent, you worry about the role models that your child looks up to. You want the actors, musicians, politicians, or other public figures that your child admires to act in ways that you would want your…
Continue Reading 3 Ways to Be the Best Role Model for Your Teen This Year