The Cost of Constant Connection: The Relationship Between Device Dependency and Mental Health

Learn how mobile device dependence is harming youth mental health and what families can do to restore connection and resilience.

Celebrate Recovery 12 Steps: How Does Capstone Utilize the 12 Steps?

Panorama,Of,Therapist's,Hands,While,Gesticulating,During,Group,Therapy

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

Fight, Flight, Freeze: How We Protect Ourselves

Silhouette,Depressed,Man,Sadly,Sitting,On,The,Bed,In,The

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

Technology Addiction in Youth

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

Navigating Grief Together: A Parent’s Guide to Supporting a Grieving Child

Holding,Hands,,Counseling,And,Support,Of,Friends,,Care,And,Empathy

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

Finding Happiness in Recovery

Teen,Boy,Jumping,Off,A,Dock, finding happiness, recovery

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

Passive Suicidal Ideation in Young Adults

sad young adult

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

Signs of Porn Addiction in Adolescents

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

Is Boarding School the Right Fit For My Son?

Two people considering boarding schools for troubled teens

Most often when it comes to helping a teen or young adult in crisis, time is of the essence. Parents can understandably become overwhelmed with questions about the right next steps for their struggling son. Where do we even start? Who do we talk to? What will we do about school? If this cannot be … Read more

The Basics on Trauma | How It Impacts Young Men

young man suffering big t and little t traumas

Dr. Adrian Hickmon, Ph.D., Clinical Architect of Capstone Wellness The research shows that most fully matured adults with addictions have experienced trauma. It’s something we treat every day at Capstone — a Christian trauma treatment center that’s served thousands of young men with a wide range of struggles, addictions and hurts. The word “trauma” has … Read more