Various factors have contributed to the notable rise of mental health challenges in recent years. For adolescents, these issues can be amplified by the existing digital landscape along with several other factors. Recognizing the significance of early intervention and the potential benefits of residential treatment programs, like Capstone, in delivering tailored support for adolescents is essential for effective recovery.
As we are approaching the holiday season, we are sure to hear and see the words “Happy Holidays” pretty much everywhere. However, the phrase begs the question, “Are they really happy?” Over time family dynamics can change, hardship happens, tragedy can strike, and life can get a little more complex. With that, the nostalgia that … Read more
Is Your Student Athlete the Golden Child? What is a golden child? According to Dr. Adrian Hickmon, “This child is the one who is excelling in their school achievements and/or their social connections and so on. From a systemic perspective, there is a sort of unconscious effort to balance the ‘Family Boat’ and counterbalance the … Read more
Dr. Adrian Hickmon, Ph.D 12-Step Fellowships, including resources like Celebrate Recovery, are very helpful for some of our graduates, especially in their first couple of years after graduation. As a Christ-centered program, Capstone uses the AA 12 Steps from a Christian perspective. The 12 Steps process follows the Beatitudes, beginning with “Blessed are the poor … Read more
Dr. Adrian Hickmon, Ph.D Trauma lies on a continuum but is always about a fight-flight-freeze response. When we are faced with a threat, a message is sent to the amygdala in the limbic system of the brain. The amygdala assesses the threat and sends a message to the brain stem to activate the fight-flight-freeze response. … Read more
The next time you are out to dinner with friends, in the car with your family, or sitting in a waiting room – take a moment to look around and see how many people are on their phones. Technology addiction is a leading addiction in teens and young adults. Some may ask, “What’s the big … Read more
Distance, broken heart emojis, minimal eye contact, awkward silence, and sentiments of apology are just a few of the gestures that I’ve seen from well-meaning people as they attempt to comfort their grieving loved one. Naturally, people grasp for the right words to say to someone who has just experienced significant loss. How do we … Read more
When the relationship with your son becomes strained, it can be easy to lose sight of the things that once brought them happiness. It makes perfect sense to not prioritize fun family activities if you are in crisis just trying to make it through the day. Moreover, it may have been a long time since … Read more
Trigger warning: This article mentions suicide and defines passive or chronic suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is concerned regarding suicidal ideation or thoughts of suicide, call or text the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988. What is passive suicidal ideation? When a person has a desire to no longer live, but no … Read more
If you are concerned about your son’s pornography use, you are far from alone. For years there has been a gradual rise in sexual compulsions and behaviors among adolescents. The overwhelming ease of access to pornographic content has had a major impact on content viewed by adolescents and adults alike. Many parents find themselves at … Read more

