How Parents Can Promote Their Children and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being

Thrive • May 5, 2022

By Thrive Sacramento Psychiatrist Jaime Avra Ley, M.D.

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Children and adolescents can experience the same mental and behavioral health struggles as mature age groups. Just as with adults, anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental and behavioral health conditions that youths face. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , 15 to 20% of youths in the United States have an anxiety disorder and 1 in 5 youths will experience a major depressive disorder (MDD) by the time they turn 18.

As their developmental stages evolve, children and adolescents may manifest the symptoms of anxiety and depression in different ways than adults. Although anxiety and depression are two separate conditions, depressive symptoms can often result from burn-out associated with continued anxiety, especially in youths. In other words, anxiety is often the primary mental health struggle for youths, while symptoms of depression typically stem from the exhaustion of overworking the biological stress system brought on by anxiety. 

FOSTERING A SENSE OF SAFETY FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING

Most children and adolescents function within multiple social systems such as their families, schools, and extracurricular activities. These systems can potentially be a source of support for youths, but they may also present opportunities for the development of mental and behavioral health challenges.  Bullying, social media, academic stress, and pressures from certain extracurricular activities such as competitive sports can negatively influence the well-being of children and adolescents.

With that in mind, one of the most important things parents can do throughout their children’s development is to provide them with a sense of safety that transcends these social spheres. By being consistently available and attuned to the physical and emotional needs of their children, parents can make their children feel safe, secure, and supported. 

Depending on the circumstances, creating a sense of safety for children and adolescents can require seemingly conflicting behaviors from parents. Sometimes, youths need to feel protected and nurtured at home, such as after experiencing difficult situations with peers. Other times, children and adolescents gain a sense of safety when parents express confidence in their abilities to handle challenges on their own. When youths can trust that their family will be there to comfort them and encourage their independence as needed, their stress systems can rest, mitigating their risk of developing anxiety and depression.

Additionally, making children and adolescents feel safe promotes their self-esteem . When youths can rely on their parents to be regularly attentive to their needs, they recognize their inner worth. When parents express their belief in their children’s abilities while imparting that any mistakes are part of the growth process, children learn that they’re enough. Both narratives provide a foundation for healthy self-esteem.

HOW PARENTS CAN CREATE TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Some practical ways for parents to foster healthy senses of safety and self-esteem are:

  • Ask questions: Although seemingly simple, the best way for parents to remain in tune with the needs of their children is to inquire about what they’re thinking and feeling. Doing so in a comfortable environment and collected manner can encourage youths to open up. 
  • Normalize and validate emotions: Parents may still need to implement limits, but by initially allowing their children to feel seen and heard without judgment, they can calm their stress systems and help eliminate any shame. In order to lead by example, parents can practice their own emotional regulation skills, while also honestly opening up to their children as appropriate. 
  • Give praise and encouragement as well as mindful feedback: Parents should provide positive recognition not only when their children are making good choices, but also when they’re trying something new, getting out of their comfort zones, and persevering through challenges. Constructive feedback, rather than criticism or judgment, can also help foster healthy development.
  • Seek support resources: When necessary, parents should advocate for more support from their children’s schools. Additionally, if a child’s mental health struggles begin to interfere with their daily functioning, parents should consider seeking professional guidance. 

MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Through outpatient therapy, Thrive’s specialists can help youths through mental and behavioral health challenges by guiding them in processing their emotions and teaching them healthy coping strategies. Our clinicians also offer family therapy and parental guidance for well-rounded support that promotes comprehensive healing throughout the entire family. Reach out to learn more about our therapeutic services for children, adolescents, parents, and families.

About the Author

Thrive Reno Psychiatrist Jaime Avra Ley, M.D.

Born and raised in Nevada, Dr. Jaime Avra Ley earned her doctorate in medicine at the University of Nevada, Reno Medical School where she also completed a residency in adult psychiatry and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry. As an established and esteemed psychiatrist, Dr. Ley specializes in working with children and adolescents.

Dr. Ley considers comprehensive wellness to be inclusive of the health of one’s relationship with themself and others. She is passionate about addressing mental health barriers that may interfere with one’s ability to live authentically and reach their innate potential. Dr. Ley believes a multidisciplinary approach to care increases the efficacy of treatment for lasting results and is dedicated to supporting the various aspects of an individual’s well-being by providing diagnoses and medication management as appropriate.

At Thrive Wellness Sacramento, Dr. Ley enjoys working alongside a diverse treatment team of compassionate clinical colleagues to help individuals and families on their path to healing.

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By Erin McGinty Fort, MS, MHA, CPC, LPC-S, CEDS-C December 18, 2025
Sometimes, people need more support, structure, and monitoring than the typical outpatient setting can provide. When this happens, the treatment team will usually recommend that someone be "stepped up" to a different level of care, or program, that can better meet their needs. I like to think of it as being similar to medication dosages; people need different strengths of medications, or dosages, to get better when they're sick. Stepping someone up to a higher level of care is like increasing the dosage of a medication to match the severity of their symptoms. How Are Higher Levels of Care Different from Standard Outpatient Care? At the core of differentiating higher levels of care from standard outpatient care is the intensity and structure of the treatment. Higher level of care programs tend to offer more days of treatment each week and more hours of treatment per day than in the outpatient setting. Those in higher level of care programs may also meet with their treatment team members more frequently each week. There are more staff present to support someone at or after meals and snacks, or to help those who are having urges to engage in compulsions or other harmful behaviors. Clients in our HLOC programs get access to an assortment of treatment modalities tailored to their individual needs, including personalized therapy sessions, group support, medication management, medical nutrition therapy with a dietitian, and check-ins with our primary care providers. We support clients with personalized treatment plans and regular assessments to monitor and tweak interventions as needed. Higher levels of care also offer increased peer interaction and support. Intensive programs incorporate additional group therapy sessions, which can help those in treatment feel less alone as well as create a greater sense of community. For some people, it can be difficult to devote the time and energy needed to recover while also balancing other responsibilities like school or work. Stepping up to more intensive levels of care allows people to fully dedicate themselves to recovery. As they get better and make progress, a person may be stepped back down to a less intensive level of care to start practicing their recovery in their usual home, school, or work settings while also receiving professional support from their treatment team. What Levels of Care are Available? At Thrive Wellness, we offer four different levels of care to help clients step up (or down) in their treatment when needed: -  Outpatient Treatment - weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly meetings with a therapist, psychiatrist, primary care provider, and/or dietitian. - Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) - A minimum of three hours per day, three days per week. - Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) - A minimum of six hours per day, five days per week. - Residential Treatment - Coming soon in 2026, The Greenhouse at Thrive will offer residential treatment for eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This level of care offers 24-hour support for those aged 12-24 living in our residential treatment center. How To Decide Which Level of Care is Right for You If you're unsure which option is right for you or your loved one, we offer a free assessment that can be completed with our admissions team. In this initial assessment, we'll gather information from you about what you're struggling with, speak with our team of providers, and then make a recommendation for what level of care we feel is the best fit for you and your needs. If you’re experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder, anxiety disorder, or other behavioral or mental health challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out. To get started with our intake process, give us a call at 775-525-8103 or fill out this form . We can’t wait to help you Thrive.
December 2, 2025
Like the fir tree, a symbol of endurance rooted in hope, our Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR) approach reflects the strength that grows when families face challenges together. At our new residential center “The Greenhouse”, FIR is more than a treatment model, it’s a philosophy of healing that places families at the heart of recovery for adolescents and young adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We believe lasting healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s built with the support of families through perseverance, hope, and compassionate care. What Is Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR)? Family Intensive Recovery (FIR) is a specialized and immersive approach that actively engages caregivers as central agents in their child’s healing process. Rather than seeing families as contributors to a problem, we view them as essential partners in recovery. Drawing from two evidence-based frameworks, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and Family-Based Treatment (FBT), FIR helps families cultivate resilience, confidence, and connection throughout the journey to recovery. Grounded in SPACE and FBT Through the SPACE model, parents learn how to recognize and reduce well-intentioned but unhelpful behaviors known as accommodations that can reinforce anxiety and OCD symptoms. By shifting from rescuing to supporting and challenging, parents develop the confidence to guide their child through discomfort, helping them build distress tolerance and self-trust. Simultaneously, Family-Based Treatment (FBT) empowers families to take an active, compassionate role in their child’s nutritional and emotional recovery. Parents learn how to support weight and nutritional restoration, disrupt the eating disorder’s patterns, and reestablish boundaries that promote health and growing autonomy. Together, these approaches strengthen both the individual and family system, allowing recovery to take root within an environment of empathy and optimism. From Blame to Collaboration A cornerstone of the FIR model is removing blame. At Thrive, parents are not viewed as the cause of their child’s struggles, but rather as key partners in recovery. Treatment focuses on joining forces to create a safe, supportive environment where: Families learn to sit with their child's discomfort alongside them without rushing to fix or control it. Parents practice compassionate firmness, setting boundaries grounded in care and safety. Teens and caregivers rebuild trust through open, honest communication. This collaborative framework helps families reestablish a sense of connection and confidence, fostering long-term resilience and open communication that extends beyond the treatment setting. Why Family Matters in Recovery Recovery from eating disorders, OCD, or anxiety isn’t a one-person job, it requires integrated care including the family. When families learn to navigate challenges together, they can model emotional regulation, reinforce healthy boundaries, and create conditions for sustained recovery. Through FIR, we aim to strengthen attachment bonds, reshape family interactions, and empower every member of the family to grow. The result is not only symptom reduction but also a deeper sense of unity, hope, and shared endurance, just like the steadfast fir tree that stands resilient through every season. Moving Toward Hope Family Inclusive Recovery invites caregivers and loved ones to become active participants in change. It’s a journey of learning, letting go, and leaning into love and acceptance. Together, families and clinicians can cultivate the courage in clients to face uncertainty, and in doing so, help them discover that recovery is not just possible, but enduring. If you’d like to learn more about Family Intensive Recovery at The Greenhouse or how we support families in eating disorder and OCD treatment, reach out to our team today.
November 14, 2025
The Greenhouse at Thrive Wellness A New Chapter of Hope and Healing in Nevada On Friday, November 14 , we gathered with our partners at Molina Healthcare to share an important moment for our community. Together, we celebrated Molina’s generous $50,000 grant , an investment that is helping bring The Greenhouse to life. Their support is not only a financial contribution—it’s a statement of belief in the young people and families of Nevada who deserve access to compassionate, evidence-based mental healthcare close to home. This gathering marked the beginning of something we’ve dreamed about for years: a place designed specifically for adolescents and emerging adults to receive the care, connection, and support they need during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Something New Is Growing In early 2026 , Thrive Wellness will open The Greenhouse , Nevada’s first residential treatment center devoted to adolescents and emerging adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety, and OCD . For too long, families have faced a heartbreaking dilemma—send their child far from home for treatment or go without the specialized care they need. The Greenhouse is our answer to that gap. It will be a place where young people can settle into an environment built for healing, where they are understood, supported, and surrounded by a team that believes in their capacity to recover. The Greenhouse represents a natural extension of our mission. It’s a living expression of our belief that recovery is possible—and that with the right support, families can find their footing again. 
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