Life as a teenager can feel overwhelming. School demands, social pressures, and the constant influence of technology often leave teens feeling stressed or uncertain about themselves. Parents often ask me, “How can I help my teen build confidence and resilience without pushing too hard?” One powerful answer lies in encouraging goal-oriented challenges.

If you’ve ever worried that your teen seems “unmotivated,” you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: most teenagers are not actually unmotivated — they’re motivated by different things than adults expect.

Most people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. For some, the emotional reactions to that trauma—such as intense distress, physical tension, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts—can make the idea of seeking help feel overwhelming. Traditional talk therapy can be helpful, but for some, directly retelling the story of what happened can be too activating.

This year feels different. Maybe you’ve said that yourself recently. Maybe you’ve been saying it all year. You’re not alone. People are scared. Inflation is still high, and it’s not just some abstract economic term—it shows up every time you go to the grocery store and spend $40 more for the same cart of food. Layoffs are happening in industries that once felt stable. Rent keeps rising. Gas is creeping up again. And therapy—even though you know you need it—suddenly feels like a luxury you’re not sure you can afford.

The top three causes of death in U.S. teenagers are accidents, homicide, and suicide. For all of recorded history, we’ve known that teens can be drawn to risky behavior. This is hardly news, but that doesn’t make it any less frightening.

If you’re searching for a therapist in Chevy Chase, MD, you’re not alone. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, going through a major life transition, or seeking help for your teen, finding the right therapist is one of the most important steps toward healing. But how do you know who’s the right fit? What questions should you ask—and what qualifications should you look for?

Parenting is a full-time job that lasts a lifetime. This presents many opportunities for questions to arise. From concerns about pregnancy to trying to figure out a moody teenager, these questions are typically quite challenging to answer.

As summer winds down, many families are making lists, shopping for supplies, and preparing for the school year ahead. But for some parents, back-to-school season doesn’t just bring excitement—it brings dread. If you’re parenting a teen who struggles with back to school anxiety, you’re not alone. For some adolescents, school isn’t just a stressor—it’s a source of deep emotional distress that can impact their mental health, academic performance, and family life.

The general perception of therapy is often limited. Each approach is unique and involves some distinct techniques. Of them, perhaps eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is the most distinctive.

While there's no one correct way to be a parent, there are innumerable ways to avoid. But how do we differentiate between personal preferences and choices that put children at harm?

Anxiety can be overwhelming—racing thoughts, tightness in the chest, difficulty sleeping, irritability. Whether you're feeling constant worry or experiencing panic attacks that seem to come out of nowhere, you're not alone. Millions of people experience anxiety every year, and thankfully, there are several effective treatment options available.

General awareness about trauma has risen dramatically in the past couple of decades. However, there’s much more to this complex topic than meets the eye. In fact, the word “complex” is an ideal starting point for such an examination.

Parenting a teenager is equal parts exhilarating, confusing, and exhausting. But what if the constant fatigue you’re feeling isn’t just about late nights and busy schedules? What if your tiredness is actually your mind and body trying to tell you something deeper?

Raising a teenager can feel like a rollercoaster. One moment they’re asking for help, and the next, they’re shutting their bedroom door. But underneath the mood swings and silence is often a deep need: to feel emotionally safe.

Anxiety is the most common mental health issue on the planet. It’s the top reason why anyone seeks medical care. Despite such prevalence, there are countless causes of high anxiety that go unreported and thus, undiagnosed.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is logically associated with school-age children. That is when most people get such a diagnosis. However, those children with ADHD often grow into adults with ADHD.

Trauma is not just a psychological experience—it is also a physiological one. Long after a distressing event has passed, many people find that their bodies continue to carry the burden of trauma: tight muscles, hypervigilance, sleep disruptions, chronic fatigue, digestive issues, or a vague sense of feeling unsafe in their own skin.

Anxiety can feel like a weight that never lifts—a racing mind, a pounding heart, a body on high alert for danger that never comes. For many people, these symptoms are a daily struggle. Whether it’s chronic worry, social unease, or panic attacks, anxiety disrupts life. At Ballast Health and Wellness, we specialize in therapy for anxiety in Chevy Chase, and we often find that combining talk therapy with physical movement can be transformative.

When the anxiety hits you, it always feels a bit too late. You always tell yourself you're not going to let it happen again. You're going to stay on top of it.

Depression doesn't just show up during therapy hours—it often hits hardest in the quiet, in-between moments. The times when you're not in session, when you're alone with your thoughts, when getting out of bed feels impossible, or when small tasks suddenly feel like climbing a mountain. If you’re wondering how to deal with depression between therapy sessions, you’re not alone—and there are real, grounded strategies that can help.