Roadmap to Joy: A Mental Health Podcast

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In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” Dr. Brad Riemann, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology and senior clinical adviser of Embark Behavioral Health, joins the podcast with Alex Stavros, CEO of Embark, to discuss obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in teens and young adults and how parents can support their children. OCD is characterized by obsessions (unwanted thoughts, images, or urges) and compulsions (repetitive acts to neutralize obsessions). Common misconceptions include thinking that OCD is just an exaggeration of normal behavior and that excessive video game playing is a form of OCD. OCD is commonly misdiagnosed and often goes undiagnosed due to the fear of embarrassment and stigma. Family accommodation, where parents enable the disorder, can worsen OCD symptoms and reduce response to treatment. It is important for parents to have open and compassionate conversations with their loved ones if they suspect OCD. Seeking information from reputable sources like the International OCD Foundation can also be helpful. Telehealth has been found to be an effective treatment option for pediatric OCD, providing similar outcomes to in-person treatment.

Take our OCD Test

The International OCD Foundation

Related Blogs:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Kids, Adolescents, Teens, and Young Adults

OCD and Autism: Similarities and Differences

Related Videos:

Living with OCD | Embark Sessions

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? | Ask a Therapist

Research Cited:

Intensive Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Telehealth for Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparison With a Matched Sample Treated in Person

Connect with Embark on Social Media:

Facebook.
Twitter.
LinkedIn.
Instagram.

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to: askatherapist@embarkbh.com.

Guest and Host Bios:

Dr. Brad Riemann, Ph.D. is a Senior Consultant working with a variety of behavioral health companies and academic institutions to develop evidence-based treatment programming, measurement-based care systems, and standardized training protocols. He is collaborating with Embark Behavioral Health as consultant and clinical advisor. As the former President of Philanthropy, Research and Clinical Care at Rogers Behavioral Health, Dr. Riemann also served as Chief Clinical Officer and System Chief Operating Officer where he launched and developed the OCD and Anxiety Service Line with programming at the intensive outpatient, partial hospital, and residential levels of care. He has authored over 120 scientific, peer-reviewed articles on OCD and anxiety, and fifteen treatment manuals. Dr. Riemann has spoken both nationally and internationally on OCD and is a member of the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation and the International OCD Accreditation Task Force.

As the son of missionaries, Alex Stavros grew up in Peru working, playing and living alongside the troubled youth and desolate orphans of Lima’s slums. Alex’s childhood shaped his professional and personal aspirations. Prior to joining InnerChange Programs, Alex lived in California and was the Managing Partner of an investment fund, which he founded, focused on acquiring and leading mission-driven businesses. Prior to Lia Capital, Alex lived in Boston and was the Associate Director of Firm-Wide Operations – working directly for the President and COO – of Cambridge Associates, the world’s largest global investment advisory firm to not for profit organizations. Alex also has experience in public service having worked at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, a U.S. government agency that mobilizes private capital to help solve critical, global social and poverty challenges. And he worked on the Capitol Hill in Washington DC for a Minnesota Congressman. Alex has also earned a Certificate of Public Management from Stanford University. And, while at Stanford, was a Rising Fellow at the Hoover Institution, a world-renowned public policy think tank. Alex loves the ocean and is a certified open water diver. He has served as a Board Fellow at one of the most enchanting Aquariums in the world, California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium. Alex spends his free time reading up on foreign affairs and international politics. Alex graduated with Honors from American University with both an Economic Theory and International Relations degree and he earned an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Alex is on the Board of Peruvian Partners, a nonprofit established to connect North Americans in a real and significant way with Peruvian families that live in abject poverty. Alex lives in Phoenix, Arizona and is happily married to his wife, Maria-Paz, who has the most important job in the world, raising their two beautiful children.

About Embark Behavioral Health

Embark has been helping people overcome behavioral health issues that may be affecting their everyday lives for over 25 years.

Conditions We Treat Include:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Depression.
Anger/mood regulation.
Family conflict.
Anxiety.
Self-harm/cutting.
Bipolar disorder.
Social isolation.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
High-risk behavior.
Bullying.

The Embark team has some of the most compassionate and educated professionals in the industry. Its core purpose is to create joy and heal generations. Embark’s big hairy audacious goal is to lead the way in driving teen and young adult anxiety, depression, and suicide from the all-time highs of today to all-time lows by 2028. Exceptional treatment options, like short-term residential care, makes Embark the world's most respected family behavioral health provider.

Check out our locations.

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In this episode, Kevin shares his personal adoption story. He and Rob discuss the challenges he faced growing up as an adoptee. Kevin also dives into his journey of self-discovery and healing, his search for his biological family, and the relationships he's forged with them. Kevin emphasizes the importance of finding one's identity and being known, and offers hope and encouragement to other adoptees and parents of adoptive children.

Related Blogs:

Trauma and Adoption: How To Help Your Teen Heal
How To Help a Teenager With Anxiety: A Guide for Parents
Avoidance Behavior: Normal Teen Behavior or a Bigger Concern?
Family Fighting: Navigating Conflict

Related Videos:

Mental Health 101: The Healing Journey
Understanding Social Anxiety: Coping Skills for Teens
Understanding Parenting Through a Therapeutic Lens
Mental Health 101: Terms to Know

Connect with Embark on Social Media:

Facebook.
Twitter.
LinkedIn.
Instagram.

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to: askatherapist@embarkbh.com.

About Embark Behavioral Health

Embark has been helping people overcome behavioral health issues that may be affecting their everyday lives for over 25 years.

Conditions We Treat Include:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Depression.
Anger/mood regulation.
Family conflict.
Anxiety.
Self-harm/cutting.
Bipolar disorder.
Social isolation.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
High-risk behavior.
Bullying.

Check out our locations.

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Childhood trauma can have a lasting impact on a child's mental and physical health. Learn how parents and caregivers can create a safe and supportive environment to help them heal on this episode of Roadmap to Joy. Baaba Hawthorne, executive director of Embark Behavioral Health in West Los Angeles, California, and Stephanie Lucas, clinical director of Embark Behavioral Health in Bend, Oregon, debunk misconceptions about trauma and provide strategies for parents and caregivers to support children who have experienced trauma.

They emphasize the importance of consistency, mirroring emotions, and modeling healthy coping skills. They also discuss the role of resilience in a child's ability to recover from trauma and highlight the need for mental health education and support in schools. They address the cultural implications of trauma and provide guidance on navigating these sensitively. Finally, they discuss the importance of self-care for parents and caregivers and the need for collaboration within the caregiving team.

Blogs for Parents:

Intergenerational Trauma: How Trauma Can Be Inherited
What Is Relational Trauma?
CASA Developmental Framework
Trauma and Adoption: How To Help Your Teen Heal

Videos for Parents:

Getting to the Core: Peeling the Layers of Trauma and Addiction
Understanding The Casa Framework
Mental Health 101: Terms to Know | Roadmap to Joy

Connect with Embark on Social Media:

Facebook.
Twitter.
LinkedIn.
Instagram.

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to: askatherapist@embarkbh.com.

About Our Experts:

Baaba Hawthorne, M.A., LMFT is the Executive Director of our Embark Behavioral Health West LA Outpatient Clinic. She holds a BA in psychology with an emphasis in human sexuality from California State University, Northridge and earned her master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family therapy from Pepperdine University. She comes from a strong clinical background working with teens, adults and families specializing in addiction, trauma and multi-cultural counseling. In her recent years, Baaba has used her clinical background as a foundation for leadership. Previously inhabiting the roles of Clinical Director and Director of Outreach, Baaba has a passion for building programs and establishing partnerships within the Los Angeles community. Representation matters and Baaba is excited to bring the exceptional services of Embark Behavioral Health to the diverse community of Los Angeles. In her free time Baaba loves to travel internationally, learn about new cultures through food and music and enjoys spending the day at the beach with friends and family.

Stephanie Lucas, LMFT, is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor I and EMDRIA certified in EMDR. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon Couple and Family Therapy program and has a long history of work as a life coach, residential and outpatient counselor for children, adolescents, adults and families during her 13 years in the field. Most recently she owned a small private practice in Bend for seven years, specializing in systemic therapy and trauma before stepping into the role of Clinical Director with Embark. She utilizes EMDR, IFS and SFT to empower clients and families towards growth and healing. Stephanie is a lifelong Oregonian and wouldn’t have it any other way. When not in the office, you can find her in her garden or playing outside with her husband and two young girls.

About Embark Behavioral Health

Embark has been helping people overcome behavioral health issues that may be affecting their everyday lives for over 25 years.

Conditions We Treat Include:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Depression.
Anger/mood regulation.
Family conflict.
Anxiety.
Self-harm/cutting.
Bipolar disorder.
Social isolation.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
High-risk behavior.
Bullying.

Check out our locations.

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Discover invaluable insights on dealing with grief as an experienced Embark Therapist teams up with a compassionate parent to delve into the intricacies of grieving. Gain a deeper understanding commonly misunderstood concepts surrounding loss, such as the stages of grief. Learn how to navigate grief as a family as we move toward healing on this episode of Roadmap to Joy.

CONTENT NOTICE: This episode contains discussions of sensitive subject matter, including infant loss and suicide. If you are having a mental health emergency, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support by calling or texting 988. You can also text HOME to 741741 — the Crisis Text Line — from anywhere in the country to talk with a trained crisis counselor. 

Blogs for Parents:

https://bit.ly/thoughts-of-depression-and-suicide

https://bit.ly/embarkbh-preventing-suicide

https://bit.ly/embarkbh-teen-suicide-prevention

Videos for Parents:

Suicide Prevention

Treatment Major Depressive Disorder

Gratitude Journal

Host Bios

Mikayla Gilbreath, LMSW, is a clinical social worker that assists in running the adolescent/young adult IOP group at the Scottsdale Embark clinic. She also offers individual and family therapy and specializes in trauma and traumatic grief and loss. She has worked in adolescent behavioral health for seven years and had been in social work for more than a decade with an emphasis on children and families. When not at work, Mikayla enjoys going to concerts and spending time with her husband and their pug.

Jamie Maurer is an Admissions Counselor at Embark Behavioral Health and is passionate about navigating the journey towards hope for families in crisis. Jamie has several years of experience as a Behavioral Health Technician in the substance use field, is on the Board of Directors for Owl Love You Forever, a non-profit organization who build boxes for bereaved mothers, and volunteers for Hope and a Future, a non-profit organization serving youth in the foster care system.

As a baby loss mom, Jamie is honored to walk alongside souls who are hurting and offer hope for the hopeless. When she is not volunteering or creating joy at Embark Behavioral Health, you can find her with a camera in hand, capturing moments for others with her photography company- Remember Me Photos, which she named in honor of her son Edwin, who was stillborn 10 years ago. She is an avid writer for her blog, rememberingedwin.com. We do not heal by forgetting, we heal by remembering.

Connect with Embark on Social Media:

Facebook.
Twitter.
LinkedIn.
Instagram.

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to:

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In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” join licensed social worker Alexzis Figueroa of Embark Behavioral Health in Scottsdale, Arizona and student Baylee as they delve into the world of social anxiety and share valuable insights on coping with this common mental health challenge, especially among teenagers.

In this episode, they define social anxiety as an intense form of worry and fear about how others perceive us. Discover the difference between everyday worries and anxiety disorders, while learning about the importance of recognizing changes in behavior as potential signs for seeking professional support.

Baylee opens up about her personal experience with social anxiety and how seeking therapy during high school was a game-changer for her. Learn how technology can be both a friend and foe in managing anxiety, as Baylee shares helpful tips for breathing techniques and affirmations.

The conversation also explores the significance of community and connection in dealing with social anxiety, with valuable insights on 504 plans that can provide support for students facing mental health challenges at school.

Discover practical advice for teens struggling with anxiety, including starting small to face fears and gain confidence in social situations. Parents will gain valuable tips on how to partner with their children in navigating coping skills and providing much-needed support.

Related Blogs:

High-Functioning Anxiety: How It Affects Teens and How To Help
Living with Social Anxiety
How to Parent a Teen with Anxiety
8 Ways to Manage Anxiety as a Family

Related Videos:

Mental Health 101: Your Questions Answered (Part 1) | Roadmap to Joy
School Anxiety: How to Help Your Child | Roadmap to Joy
Summer Self-Care: How to Boost Your Teen’s Mental Health | Roadmap to Joy
Mental Health Days: What Parents Need to Know | Roadmap to Joy

About Alexzis

Alexzis is a licensed social worker, certified trauma therapist and an ASU Field Instructor for the School of Social Work. She has a wealth of experience in treating child, adolescent and adult populations struggling with mental health issues, complex/severe trauma and has a specialty in working with persons that have Autism and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. Alexzis is passionate about creating relationships with people and their support systems to create an inclusive and holistic approach treatment. She aims to ensure that each person can embark on a healing journey that blends their whole self, their culture and their vision of progress, with that of evidence-based practices. Alexzis is also Bilingual in both Spanish and English.

Connect with Embark on Social Media:

Facebook.

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Join Jake Sparks, Treatment Director of Embark Behavioral Health, as he shares advice for the whole family on boosting your mental health during summer break. Discover practical strategies for maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, managing screen time, and tackling boredom. Jake also shares research on how screen time impacts your brain, why boredom can be disruptive to your emotional well-being, and what strategies you can use to manage them.

Related Blogs:

Ask a Therapist: Why Does My Teenager Sleep So Much?
Can Social Media Be a Positive Influence on Teens?
Intensive Therapy Options for Teens During the Summer
Self-Esteem Activities for Teens

Related Videos:

Mental Health 101: Your Questions Answered (Part 1) | Roadmap to Joy
Gratitude Journal with Me
How to Improve Teen Mental Health

Research Cited:

Nationwide Children's. 2021. “Sleep in Adolescents.” Nationwidechildrens.org. 2021.
Nederkoorn, Chantal, Linda Vancleef, Alexandra Wilkenhöner, Laurence Claes, and Remco C. Havermans. 2016. “Self-Inflicted Pain out of Boredom.” Psychiatry Research 237 (March): 127–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2016.01.063.
Mindell, Jodi A, and Judith A Owens. 2015. A Clinical Guide to Pediatric Sleep. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
“The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens.” n.d. Accessed June 30, 2023.

About Jake

Jake Sparks is a Marriage and Family Therapist who has spent the last decade working with often suicidal adolescents and their parents in their journey toward health and healing. During this time, Jake has been a clinician and Clinical Director of several adolescent programs, and is currently the Treatment Director at Embark BH, where he gets to work with some of the nation’s best and brightest clinicians. Jake’s approach to therapy is centered on the role of relationship and attachment in the context of families. He believes that when authenticity and vulnerability are met with acceptance and empathy people thrive!

Connect with Embark on Social Media:

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In this episode, Rob Gent, Chief Clinical Officer of Embark Behavioral Health dives into treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with Dr. Georgine Nanos, CEO of Kind Health Group. Rob and Dr. Nanos discuss how depression is diagnosed and what makes MDD different from other types of depression. Dr. Nanos explains many treatment options for MDD, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

Related Blogs:

Treatment-Resistant Depression: What It Is and How To Address It 

What Parents Need To Know When Their Adolescent Has Depression

Understanding Depression and Mood Disorders in Teens

Smiling Depression: How Happy Faces Can Mask Depression

TMS at Kind Health Group

Related Videos:

The Science Behind Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Dr. Georgine Nanos | Embark Sessions

Mental Health 101: Your Questions Answered | Roadmap to Joy

How to Eat for Mental Health

How to Improve Teen Mental Health

Connect with Embark on Social Media:

Facebook.
Twitter.
LinkedIn.
Instagram.

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to: askatherapist@embarkbh.com.

About Dr. Nanos

Dr. Georgine Nanos, MD, MPH is a board-certified family physician and the owner of Kind Health Group, a concierge primary care and accelerated TMS practice in the setting of a luxury medspa in Encinitas, California. Dr. Nanos holds a Bachelor's Degree from Colgate University, a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Boston University, and a Doctor of Medicine Degree from George Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Nanos has been practicing medicine for over 20 years in San Diego and has expertise in treating a wide range of medical conditions in patients of all ages. She has been awarded and recognized by her peers as a Top Doctor of San Diego for over ten years. She also serves as the medical director of Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa and is a medical contributor to numerous local and national TV, radio, and print media outlets. Dr. Nanos is passionate about the power of preventive health and has recently been recognized for her work with Accelerated TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, for the treatment of anxiety and depression. Dr. Nanos is committed to promoting health and wellness and empowering everyone to take an active role in their own healthcare.

About Rob

Dr. Rob Gent, Ph.D., is the Chief Clinical Officer and one of the founding members of Embark Behavioral Health. Rob has been with the company for 15 years and has led the Embark organization in the clinical development and growth of numerous programs. He is the lead developer of the proprietary CASA Developmental Framework, which is pervasive throughout Embark’s programs.

Through his dedication to advancing clinical development, practice, and research, he has become a nationally recognized expert in the field. His specialization in clinical development is enhanced by his therapeutic expertise and has yielded such accomplishments as the development of; The CASA Developmental Framework, Vive Family Intensive Program, Calo Preteens, Canine Attachment Therapy-Transferable Attachment Program, and other specialized programs.

About Embark Behavioral Health

Embark has been helping people overcome behavioral health issues that may be affecting their everyday lives for over 25 years.

Conditions We Treat Include:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Depression.
Anger/mood regulation.
Family conflict.
Anxiety.
Self-harm/cutting.
Bipolar disorder.
Social isolation.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
High-risk behavior.
Bullying.

Check out our locations.

View Details

In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” our host, Bailey Petty, Learning, and Development Manager at Embark Behavioral Health, and guest, Maddy Little, Licensed Associate Counselor at Embark Behavioral Health in Phoenix, Arizona, dive into signs your teen could benefit from a mental health day from school. Bailey and Maddy describe restorative activities, give tips on communicating with your teen’s teachers and school and provide examples of how parents can model healthy stress management techniques for their children.

Related Blogs:

How Much Stress is Too Much? A Caregiver’s Guide (embarkbh.com)

School Stress: How Student Life Affects Your Teen (embarkbh.com)

Ask a Therapist: Does Going to School Cause Depression or Make It Worse? (embarkbh.com)

How Should Parents Handle It When Their Teenager Refuses To Go to School? (embarkbh.com)

Related Videos:

School Anxiety: How to Help Your Child | Roadmap to Joy

Gratitude Journal with Me

How Can Yoga Help an Adolescent or Teen When Dealing with a Difficult Situation?

Connect with Embark on Social Media:

Facebook.
Twitter.
LinkedIn.
Instagram.

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to: askatherapist@embarkbh.com.

Guest Bio:

Maddy Little is passionate about fostering a safe, non-judgmental space for teens and young adults to process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Colorado Christian University. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and specializes in working with trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, suicidal ideations/self-harm, identity development, and interpersonal relationships. Outside of work, Maddy loves spending quality time with her husband and 3-year-old son, getting creative with art and baking, and leaning into personal development.

About Embark Behavioral Health:

Embark has been helping people overcome behavioral health issues that may be affecting their everyday lives for over 25 years.

Conditions We Treat Include:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Depression.
Anger/mood regulation.
Family conflict.
Anxiety.
Self-harm/cutting.
Bipolar disorder.
Social isolation.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
High-risk behavior.
Bullying.

Check out our locations.

View Details

To wrap up our Mental Health 101 series on “Roadmap to Joy,” Richard, a parent of an Embark Behavioral Health alumni, tells his story of his family’s mental health treatment journey. Your host, Scott Harris, manager of continuous improvement at Embark Behavioral Health, and Richard discuss how finding the proper treatment for his son brought healing to his entire family, how he grew as a parent, and how their relationship transformed.

Related Blogs:

How to Find Good Mental Health Therapists for Teens (embarkbh.com)
How Much Stress is Too Much? A Caregiver’s Guide (embarkbh.com)
How To Take Care of Yourself So You Can Take Care of Your Child (embarkbh.com)
When Your Teen Is Struggling: A Mental Health Support Letter for Parents (embarkbh.com)

Related Videos:

Importance of Co-Regulation
Mental Health 101: Terms to Know
How to Improve Teen Mental Health

Connect with Embark on Social Media:

Facebook.
Twitter.
LinkedIn.
Instagram.

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to: askatherapist@embarkbh.com.

About Embark Behavioral Health

Embark has been helping people overcome behavioral health issues that may be affecting their everyday lives for over 25 years.

Conditions We Treat Include:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Depression.
Anger/mood regulation.
Family conflict.
Anxiety.
Self-harm/cutting.
Bipolar disorder.
Social isolation.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
High-risk behavior.
Bullying.

The Embark team has some of the industry's most compassionate and educated professionals. Its core purpose is to create joy and heal generations. Embark’s big hairy audacious goal is to lead the way in driving teen and young adult anxiety, depression, and suicide from the all-time highs of today to all-time lows by 2028. Exceptional treatment options, like short-term residential care, make Embark the world's most respected family behavioral health provider.

Check out our locations.

View Details

In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” we shed light on some important terms surrounding mental health and therapy. Your host, Jake Sparks, treatment director at Embark Behavioral Health and guest, Rob Gent, Chief Clinical Officer at Embark Behavioral Health, will discuss what attachment, trauma, shame, and co-regulation mean and how building a mental health vocabulary can help adolescents, teens, and young adults on their healing journey.

Related Blogs:

Trauma and Adoption: How To Help Your Teen Heal (embarkbh.com)

How To Help Your Teen Deal With School Shooting Trauma (embarkbh.com)

What is Relational Trauma? - Embark Behavioral Health (embarkbh.com)

How to Find Good Mental Health Therapists for Teens (embarkbh.com)

Helpful Resources:

Attachment Theory and Styles of Attachment - Embark Behavioral Health (embarkbh.com)

CASA Developmental Framework - Embark Behavioral Health (embarkbh.com)

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) | Embark (embarkbh.com)

Related Videos:

Taming the Shame Within

Trauma and Addiction

Importance of Co-Regulation

How Does Dopamine Impact Shame?

How to Improve Teen Mental Health

Connect with Embark on Social Media:

Facebook.

Twitter.

LinkedIn.

Instagram.

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to: askatherapist@embarkbh.com.

Guest and Host Bios:

Jake Sparks is a marriage and family therapist who has spent the past decade working with often suicidal adolescents and their parents in their journey toward health and healing. During this time, Jake has been a clinician and the clinical director of several adolescent programs. He’s the treatment director at Embark Behavioral Health, where he works with the some of the nation’s best and brightest clinicians. Jake’s approach to therapy is centered on the role of relationship and attachment in the context of families. He believes that when authenticity and vulnerability are met with acceptance and empathy, people thrive!

Rob Gent, a licensed professional counselor with a master’s degree, is the chief clinical officer and one of the founding members of Embark Behavioral Health. Rob has been with the company for 15 years and has led the Embark organization in clinical development and the growth of numerous programs. He’s the lead developer of the proprietary CASA Developmental Framework, used throughout Embark’s programs to create therapeutic relationships.

Through his dedication to advancing clinical development, practice, and research, Rob has become a nationally recognized expert in the behavioral health field. His specialization in clinical development is enhanced by his therapeutic expertise and has yielded accomplishments such as developing the CASA Developmental Framework, Vive Family Intensive Program, Calo Preteens, the Canine Attachment Therapy-Transferable Attachment Program, and other specialized programs.

Rob’s dedication has led him to pursue his doctorate in psychology, with an emphasis on development and attachment. He remains passionate about neurological, psychological, and physiological development and continues to focus on advancing research and the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Rob lives in Tempe, Arizona, with his wife and two boys.

About Embark Behavioral Health

Embark has been helping people overcome behavioral health issues that may be affecting their everyday lives for over 25 years.

Conditions We Treat Include:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Depression.
Anger/mood regulation.
Family conflict.
Anxiety.
Self-harm/cutting.
Bipolar disorder.
Social isolation.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
High-risk behavior.
Bullying.

Check out our locations.

View Details

In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” Alex Stavros, CEO of Embark Behavioral Health, and Andy Maurer, CEO of Pursue Whole, discuss what it means to be an emotionally present parent. Alex and Andy dive into why parents may struggle to find balance in their everyday lives, and how to create a purposeful and joyful life.

Related Blogs:

9 Successful Family Traits
How to Take Care of Yourself So You Can Take Care of Your Child
Stress vs. Distress: How Do You Help Your Teen Navigate a Stressful World?
How Much Stress is Too Much? A Caregiver's Guide

Related Videos:

Welcome to Roadmap to Joy!
How to Improve Teen Mental Health
School Anxiety: How to Help Your Child

Connect with Embark on Social Media:

Facebook.
Twitter.
LinkedIn.
Instagram.

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to: askatherapist@embarkbh.com.

Guest and Host Bios:

Andy Maurer, Co-Founder & CEO, Pursue Whole

As a former therapist and professor of human and sports psychology, Andy has taken the best of cutting-edge neuroscience and performance research and paired it with therapeutic best practices to create the Pursue Whole® Coaching Model. His unique framework brings clarity, relief, and growth to the struggles leaders face on the inside.

Alex Stavros, CEO, Embark Behavioral Health

As the son of missionaries, Alex grew up in Peru working, playing, and living alongside the troubled youth and desolate orphans of Lima’s slums. Alex’s childhood shaped his professional and personal aspirations. Prior to joining Inner Change Programs, Alex lived in California and was the Managing Partner of an investment fund, which he founded, focused on acquiring and leading mission-driven businesses. Prior to Lia Capital, Alex lived in Boston and was the Associate Director of Firm-Wide Operations – working directly for the President and COO – of Cambridge Associates, the world’s largest global investment advisory firm to not for profit organizations. Alex also has experience in public service having worked at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, a U.S. government agency that mobilizes private capital to help solve critical, global social and poverty challenges. And he worked on Capitol Hill in Washington DC for a Minnesota Congressman. Alex has also earned a Certificate of Public Management from Stanford University. And, while at Stanford, was a Rising Fellow at the Hoover Institution, a world-renowned public policy think tank. Alex loves the ocean and is a certified open water diver. He has served as a Board Fellow at one of the most enchanting Aquariums in the world, California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium. Alex spends his free time reading up on foreign affairs and international politics. Alex graduated with Honors from American University with both an Economic Theory and International Relations degree and he earned an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Alex is on the Board of Peruvian Partners, a nonprofit established to connect North Americans in a real and significant way with Peruvian families that live in abject poverty. Alex lives in Phoenix, Arizona and is happily married to his wife, Maria-Paz, who has the most important job in the world, raising their two beautiful children.

About Embark Behavioral Health

Embark has been helping people overcome behavioral health issues that may be affecting their everyday lives for over 25 years.

Conditions We Treat Include:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Depression.
Anger/mood regulation.
Family conflict.
Anxiety.
Self-harm/cutting.
Bipolar disorder.
Social isolation.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
High-risk behavior.
Bullying.

Check out our locations.

View Details

In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” we shed light on some important questions surrounding mental health, therapy, and therapists. Your host, Jake Sparks, treatment director at Embark Behavioral Health, and guest, Abby Jones, clinical director at Embark Behavioral Health in Scottsdale, Arizona, talk about what mental health is, how to know if you or someone in your family needs therapy, where symptoms come from, the different types of therapists, and how to find the right mental health professional to create a life filled with joy.

Resources

Blogs:

https://bit.ly/wilderness-therapy-adventure-therapy-activities

https://bit.ly/how-to-find-a-good-therapist-embark

https://bit.ly/equine-therapy-teen-mental-health-embark

https://bit.ly/what-is-group-therapy

Videos:

School Anxiety: How to Help Your Child | Roadmap to Joy

Suicide Prevention: How to Help your Teen with Suicidal Thoughts | Roadmap to Joy

Gratitude Journal With Me

Yoga for Teen and Adolescent Mental Health

What Is Wilderness Therapy?

A Day in the Life of a Residential Therapist

Cited Research:

How Do I Choose Between Medication and Therapy?, American Psychological Association

Treatment of anxiety disorders, Bandelow, B., Michaelis, S., & Wedekind, D. (2017). Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 19(2), 93–107.

Talk Therapy – Not Medication – Best for Social Anxiety Disorder, Large Study Finds. (2014, September 25). Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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Host Bio:

Jake Sparks is a marriage and family therapist who has spent the past decade working with often suicidal adolescents and their parents in their journey toward health and healing. During this time, Jake has been a clinician and the clinical director of several adolescent programs. He’s the treatment director at Embark Behavioral Health, where he works with the some of the nation’s best and brightest clinicians. Jake’s approach to therapy is centered on the role of relationship and attachment in the context of families. He believes that when authenticity and vulnerability are met with acceptance and empathy, people thrive!

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Learn how you can help prevent suicide if your teen is struggling with suicidal thoughts, behaviors, or urges. Your hosts Megan and Josh from Embark Behavioral Health will give you actionable tips, resources, and best practices for communicating with your child when they are struggling with difficult challenges like self-harm and suicidal ideation. Resources: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazA0TlU3SkxSX1ZKVUxnNkh3X0I0ZzZmWjlyd3xBQ3Jtc0tsalRVekhpRDNVSHh2RWlNODV0cmxiTWpHcDNQeXhqMnlmU045UDlWd1pLU09BWmpERWcyejhrODdIamwzMTRCMEJaNHdubGxoNFpreWQ2Y1BXSU5wYXoyam52RkNPRmJKNGdaQW51eXMzcUJvNDlpWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2F988lifeline.org%2F&v=cfFYkcQOdLk (https://988lifeline.org/) Blogs for Parents: https://bit.ly/what-is-suicidal-ideation (What Is Suicidal Ideation in Teens?) https://bit.ly/suicidal-thoughts-and-warning-signs (Suicidal Thoughts and Warning Signs) https://bit.ly/preventing-teen-suicide (Preventing Teen Suicide) https://bit.ly/suicide-prevention-embark (When Suicide Prevention Involves Your Child) https://bit.ly/discussing-thoughts-of-depression-and-suicide (How to Discuss Thoughts of Depression and Suicide) https://bit.ly/how-to-parent-teen-with-anxiety (How to Parent a Teen with Anxiety) https://bit.ly/learn-about-cutting (You Found Out Your Daughter Is Cutting: What Should You Do?) https://bit.ly/what-parents-need-to-know-about-depression (What Parents Need To Know When Their Adolescent Has Depression) Videos for Parents https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPjO-ruGomA (Welcome to Roadmap to Joy!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-RienaJb50&feature=youtu.be (School Anxiety ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLDxwTeirfY (How to Improve Teen Mental Health) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTIXFlsBQEo (A Day in the Life of a Short-Term Residential Therapist) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7wNFoF9euo (Eating Disorders: How Parents Can Support Their Child) Host Bios Jake Sparks is a Marriage and Family Therapist who has spent the last decade working with often suicidal adolescents and their parents in their journey toward health and healing. During this time, Jake has been a clinician and Clinical Director of several adolescent programs, and is currently the Treatment Director at Embark BH, where he gets to work with the some of the nation’s best and brightest clinicians. Jake’s approach to therapy is centered on the role of relationship and attachment in the context of families. He believes that when authenticity and vulnerability are met with acceptance and empathy people thrive! Connect with Embark on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/embarkbh (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/embark_bh/ (Instagram) https://twitter.com/embarkbh (Twitter) https://www.linkedin.com/company/emba... (LinkedIn)

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to: askatherapist@embarkbh.com

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Does your child or teenager experience school anxiety? How can you encourage them to stay engaged in school without making their anxiety worse? Join our hosts, Ginger Nicholson and Jake Sparks, LMFT, as they discuss how to identify the signs of school anxiety and if your child’s nervous system is dysregulated. Jake advises on how to respond with empathy, provide emotional support, and co-regulate with your child. Blogs for Parents: https://bit.ly/fear-of-school-in-teens (https://bit.ly/fear-of-school-in-teens) https://bit.ly/teenager-refuses-to-go-to-school (https://bit.ly/teenager-refuses-to-go-to-school) https://bit.ly/teen-school-shooting-trauma (https://bit.ly/teen-school-shooting-trauma) https://bit.ly/does-school-cause-depression (https://bit.ly/does-school-cause-depression) https://bit.ly/how-to-parent-a-teen-with-anxiety (https://bit.ly/how-to-parent-a-teen-with-anxiety) Books for Parents: https://monadelahooke.com/brain-body-parenting/ (https://monadelahooke.com/brain-body-parenting/) Videos for Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBRRW0ESJBU (Eating Disorders: Tips for Supporting Teens and Young Adults) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odPAekz3288 (How to Eat for Mental Health) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ79e0EW7uE (Taming the Shame Within) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9j0jb4LZ8I (Gratitude Journal With Me) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLDxwTeirfY (How to Improve Teen Mental Health) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rACDS6AHCt8 (Yoga for Teen and Adolescent Mental Health) About our Hosts: Jake Sparks is a Marriage and Family Therapist who has spent the last decade working with often suicidal adolescents and their parents in their journey toward health and healing. During this time, Jake has been a clinician and Clinical Director of several adolescent programs, and is currently the Treatment Director at Embark BH, where he gets to work with the some of the nation’s best and brightest clinicians. Jake’s approach to therapy is centered on the role of relationship and attachment in the context of families. He believes that when authenticity and vulnerability are met with acceptance and empathy people thrive! Ginger Nicholson, MBA, is the Director of Sales Enablement at Embark Behavioral Health. She is a parent to one 20-year-old daughter. Connect with Embark on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/embarkbh (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/embark_bh/ (Instagram) https://twitter.com/embarkbh (Twitter) https://www.linkedin.com/company/emba... (LinkedIn)

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to: askatherapist@embarkbh.com

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In this episode, Rob interviews Liz Lees, Registered Dietitian, on how to recognize signs of an eating disorder, how to seek treatment, and how parents can support their child while in eating disorder treatment. Rob and Liz discuss how eating disorders impact physical and mental health, as well as the important role parents play through encouraging treatment, meal planning, and modeling healthy relationships with food and body image. Eating Disorder Treatment at Doorways: Doorways Phoenix 4747 N. Seventh St. Suite 450 Phoenix, AZ 85014 602-997-2880 https://bit.ly/doorways-outpatient (https://bit.ly/doorways-outpatient) Resources for Parents: Blogs: https://www.embarkbh.com/blog/ask-a-therapist-how-do-you-identify-eating-disorders-in-adolescence/ (Ask a Therapist: How Do You Identify Eating Disorders in Adolescence?) https://www.embarkbh.com/eating-disorders-in-teens/ (Eating Disorders in Teens) https://www.embarkbh.com/blog/considering-nutrition-as-part-of-your-self-care/ (Talking to Teens About Nutrition as Self-Care) https://www.embarkbh.com/blog/the-importance-of-what-you-eat/ (How Nutrition Affects Teen Mental Health)

Books: https://www.amazon.com/Sick-Enough-Jennifer-L-Gaudiani/dp/0815382456 (Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders) https://www.amazon.com/Nourish-Through-Eating-Disorder-Plate/dp/1615194509 (How to Nourish Your Child Through an Eating Disorder: A Simple, Plate-by-Plate Approach to Rebuilding a Healthy Relationship with Food) https://jennischaefer.com/books/life-without-ed/ (Life Without Ed)

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBRRW0ESJBU (Eating Disorders: Tips for Supporting Teens and Young Adults) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odPAekz3288 (How to Eat for Mental Health) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ79e0EW7uE (Taming the Shame Within)

Liz Lees is Registered Dietitian at Doorways with a masters of science in clinical nutrition from Rush University. Liz has over 10 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings offering evidenced based nutrition counseling. She has specialized in treating client’s with digestive related conditions and eating disorder and is passionate in listening to and supporting her client’s unique needs towards recovery and overall wellbeing. Liz and her family love to spend time outdoors connecting with nature and camping in their RV. Contact Liz: liz@doorwaysarizona.com Rob Gent, M.A. LPC, is the Chief Clinical Officer and one of the founding members of Embark Behavioral Health. Rob has been with the company for 15 years and has led the Embark organization in clinical development and growth of numerous programs. He is the lead developer of the proprietary CASA Developmental Framework, which is pervasive throughout Embark’s programs. Through his dedication to advancing clinical development, practice, and research, he has become a nationally recognized expert in the field. His specialization in clinical development is enhanced by his therapeutic expertise and has yielded such accomplishments as the development of; The CASA Developmental Framework, Vive Family Intensive Program, Calo Preteens, Canine Attachment Therapy-Transferable Attachment Program, and other specialized programs. Rob’s dedication has led him to pursue his Ph.D in Psychology with an emphasis on development and attachment. He remains passionate about neurological, psychological, and physiological development and continues to focus on advancing research and the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. He resides in Tempe, Arizona, with his wife and two boys. Connect with Embark on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/embarkbh (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/embark_bh/ (Instagram) https://twitter.com/embarkbh (Twitter) https://www.linkedin.com/company/emba... (LinkedIn)

Have a question for our experts? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions to: askatherapist@embarkbh.com

How to Nourish Your Child Through an Eating Disorder: A Simple, Plate-by-Plate Approach to Rebuilding a Healthy Relationship with Food

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Welcome to Roadmap to Joy! In the first episode of our mental health podcast, Rob Gent, Chief Clinical Officer of Embark Behavioral Health, and Alex Stavros, Chief Executive Officer of Embark Behavioral Health, discuss the youth mental health crisis and the importance of secure family relationships. They also give advice for parents about how to talk to their children about tragic events, such as school shootings. Be sure to subscribe to stay informed and find new ways to support the teen or young adult in your life on future episodes of Roadmap to Joy. Helpful Links: https://bit.ly/behavioral-health-blog (Get expert advice from our blog.)

Connect with Embark on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/embarkbh (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/embark_bh/ (Instagram) Twitter LinkedIn

Host Bios: Rob Gent, M.A. LPC, is the Chief Clinical Officer and one of the founding members of Embark Behavioral Health. Rob has been with the company for 15 years and has led the Embark organization in clinical development and growth of numerous programs. He is the lead developer of the proprietary CASA Developmental Framework, which is pervasive throughout Embark’s programs. Through his dedication to advancing clinical development, practice, and research, he has become a nationally recognized expert in the field. His specialization in clinical development is enhanced by his therapeutic expertise and has yielded such accomplishments as the development of; The CASA Developmental Framework, Vive Family Intensive Program, Calo Preteens, Canine Attachment Therapy-Transferable Attachment Program, and other specialized programs. Rob’s dedication has led him to pursue his Ph.D in Psychology with an emphasis on development and attachment. He remains passionate about neurological, psychological, and physiological development and continues to focus on advancing research and the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. He resides in Tempe, Arizona, with his wife and two boys. Alex Stavros, grew up in Peru working, playing and living alongside the troubled youth and desolate orphans of Lima’s slums. Alex’s childhood shaped his professional and personal aspirations. Prior to joining InnerChange Programs, Alex lived in California and was the Managing Partner of an investment fund, which he founded, focused on acquiring and leading mission-driven businesses. Prior to Lia Capital, Alex lived in Boston and was the Associate Director of Firm-Wide Operations – working directly for the President and COO – of Cambridge Associates, the world’s largest global investment advisory firm to not for profit organizations. Alex also has experience in public service having worked at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, a U.S. government agency that mobilizes private capital to help solve critical, global social and poverty challenges. And he worked on the Capitol Hill in Washington DC for a Minnesota Congressman. Alex has also earned a Certificate of Public Management from Stanford University. And, while at Stanford, was a Rising Fellow at the Hoover Institution, a world-renowned public policy think tank. Alex loves the ocean and is a certified open water diver. He has served as a Board Fellow at one of the most enchanting Aquariums in the world, California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium. Alex spends his free time reading up on foreign affairs and international politics. Alex graduated with Honors from American University with both an Economic Theory and International Relations degree and he earned an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Alex is on the Board of Peruvian Partners, a nonprofit established to connect North Americans in a real and significant way with Peruvian families that live in abject poverty. Alex lives in Phoenix, Arizona and is happily married to his wife, Maria-Paz, who has the most important job in the world, raising their two beautiful children.

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