According to data from the CDC, a significant portion of young children experience mental health disorders. For example, recent data shows that a large percentage of children aged two to eight have one or more mental health diagnoses. The early years are a period of rapid brain development. Experiences during this time shape a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive abilities. Early childhood mental health lays the groundwork for a lifetime of well-being. It’s about more than just the absence of mental illness; it encompasses a child’s ability to experience and regulate emotions, form secure relationships, and explore their environment. Recognizing and nurturing these skills from the earliest years is crucial for preventing future mental health challenges. Working with young children requires additional training and supervision. Royalton Psychological Associates has clinicians who specialize in early childhood mental health.
The Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html#:~:text=In%202018%2D2019%3A,2
Meng J.F., Wiznitzer E. Factors Associated with Not Receiving Mental Health Services Among Children with A Mental Disorder in Early Childhood in the United States, 2021–2022. Prev Chronic Dis 2024;21:240126.
The elementary and middle school years are a period of tremendous growth and change, both academically and emotionally. During this time, children are navigating complex social dynamics, academic pressures, and the onset of puberty, all of which can significantly impact their mental well-being. Mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral difficulties, can emerge or intensify during these formative years. Providing appropriate support and treatment can equip children with the tools they need to cope with stress and adversity, fostering resilience and promoting long-term well-being. At Royalton Psychological Associates, we believe prioritizing mental health treatment during elementary and middle school, can empower children to thrive, both in and out of the classroom, and set them on a path toward a healthy and fulfilling future.
The Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html#:~:text=In%202018%2D2019%3A,2
A national survey of adolescences ages 12 to 17 indicated that 21% reported symptoms of anxiety in the past two weeks and 17% reported symptoms of depression in the past two weeks. Most concerning is that in 2023, 20% reported seriously considering attempting suicide in the past year. These statistics are alarming. Adolescents are under a lot of pressure and stress. Adolescents used to be able to go home and disconnect from the world. Now with phones and social media, they are always connected and often find it hard to disconnect. At this stage in development, adolescents often view their parents as unintelligent and unknowing. We understand and know that this is a temporary phase. Royalton Psychological Associates supports both the adolescent and the caregivers navigate this stage of life to improve relationships, enhance self-concept, and build strengths.
National Center for Health Statistics. (2021-2022). National Health Interview Survey— Teen. Generated interactively: Aug 06 2024 from https://wwwn.cdc.gov/NHISDataQueryTool/NHIS_TEEN/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/dstr/.
In 2000, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen Arnett proposed an area of development he called emerging adulthood. This stage tends to occur from ages 18 to 25. During this time in life, individuals are going through so much change. In general, they are no longer children but not yet independent and stable in their lives. Dr. Arnett identified five areas that are at the center of emerging adulthood: identity exploration, career and residence instability, self-focus on who you are and where you want to go in life, feeling in between childhood and adulthood, and life possibilities. The goal of this stage of life is establishing a secure personal identity, forming mature relationships, rebalancing family ties, building up core ideological values, selecting a long-term vocation, finding one’s bearings, and looking to the future. Though optimism is a core component of this stage of life; feelings of loneliness, being stressed, isolation, and feeling overwhelmed are common. More than half of emerging adults experience anxiety. A third of emerging adults report feeling depressed. All of our staff at Royalton Psychological Associates are well versed and experienced in working with emerging adults. We are here to support you as you navigate this next phase of life.
Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469–480.
How often are you thinking about your body and food; is it more than you would like? Do you have rigid rules about exercise or eating? How often does your mood yo-yo depending on whether or not you followed them? The American Psychiatric Association defines eating disorders as those illnesses where people have great difficulty with their eating behaviors and associated thoughts and emotions. It is possible for you to recover from an eating disorder. The first step is contacting a specialist. A 2019 study examined lifetime prevalence and help rates of people with various eating disorders, looking at both men and women, and looking across African Americans, Latinos and Whites. They found that help rates for anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder were around 34%, 62% and 69%, respectively, and that the most frequent form of getting help was talking to some type of therapist. Royalton Psychological Associates has a psychologist who has worked with people with eating disorders for over thirty years. Recovery is possible, and having a team of people who are there with you as you work towards health is important.
Coffino, J.A., Tomoko, U., & Grilo, C.M. (2019). Rates of help-seeking in U.S. adults with lifetime DSM-5 eating disorders: Prevalence across diagnoses and differences by sex and ethnicity/race. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 94(8), 1415-1426.
Trauma, in its broadest sense, refers to deeply distressing or disturbing experiences that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope, leaving lasting adverse effects on their well-being. These experiences can range from single, acute events to chronic, ongoing exposure. A particularly significant form of trauma is interpersonal trauma, which arises from harmful interactions with others, such as abuse, neglect, or betrayal. This type of trauma can profoundly impact relationships, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. Effective trauma treatment aims to help individuals process these experiences, heal from their effects, and build resilience. Specialized services, like those offered at Royalton Psychological Associates, provide tailored approaches to address the unique needs of individuals impacted by traumatic events.
Spinazzola J., van der Kolk B., Ford J.D. When Nowhere Is Safe: Interpersonal Trauma and Attachment Adversity as Antecedents of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Developmental Trauma Disorder. J Trauma Stress. 2018 Oct;31(5):631-642. doi: 10.1002/jts.22320. Epub 2018 Oct 19. PMID: 30338544; PMCID: PMC6221128.