Mental health encompasses one’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and is an essential element of overall health. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe mental disorders among young people as “serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, causing distress and problems getting through the day.” Mental illness is highly common among teenagers in the United States. Data presented from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that an estimated 49.5% of adolescents aged 13-18 in America had AMI (any mental illness). Of the nearly fifty percent of adolescents with AMI, approximately 22.2% had severe impairment. Every teenager is different and will benefit most from a customized mental health treatment plan that is reflective of his or her distinct needs.
Cognitive Remediation Therapy
Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT), sometimes referred to as cognitive enhancement therapy or cognitive rehabilitation therapy, is a brain-based treatment approach that aims to address cognitive deficits and improve cognitive functioning in individuals with mental health conditions, including teenagers. According to the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, CRT is a “behavioral intervention targeting problems with cognition (the mental ability to process and understand information and ideas) through the application of learning principles, with the ultimate goal of improving day-to-day community functioning.” It focuses on teaching various skills through two main approaches, which are remediation (improving skills that have been lost or impaired) and compensation (learning different ways to achieve a goal). CRT offers a comprehensive approach that can provide targeted treatment to accommodate a young person’s specific needs and goals.
The brain is a continuously evolving organ. Cognitive remediation therapy uses repeated strategies and exercises to activate neuroplasticity and strengthen different cognitive skills. Frontiers In Psychology defines neuroplasticity as “a general umbrella term that refers to the brain’s ability to modify, change, and adapt both structure and function throughout life and in response to experience.” Neural pathways are developed through synaptic connections that occur in one’s brain, directly resulting from a person’s habits and behaviors. These connections create a map of a myriad of circuits within one’s brain, influenced by outside stimuli, enabling the brain to process various experiences, and are essential in how the brain retains and accesses information. Neural pathways strengthen with repetition and can similarly become obsolete without repetition. Cognitive remediation therapy works by increasing activation and connectivity patterns within and across several brain regions involved in working memory and high-order executive functioning.
For Information and Support
Every family in need of mental health treatment must select a program that will best suit the needs of their family. When one member of a family struggles, it impacts everyone in the family unit. To maximize the benefits of treatment we work closely with the entire family to ensure that everyone is receiving the support they need through these difficult times.
Seeking help is never easy, but you are not alone! If you or someone you know needs mental health treatment, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help as quickly as possible. It is not uncommon for many mental health difficulties to impact a person’s life, long term. Pursuing support at the beginning of one’s journey can put the individual in the best position to learn how to manage themselves in a healthy way so they can go on to live happy and fulfilling lives.
OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE ADMISSIONS TEAM CAN BE REACHED 24/7 AT INFO@PACIFICRTC.COM OR CALL: 800-531-5769
We are available to answer any questions you may have regarding mental health treatment and our residential program, anytime. Contact us today using the form to the right.
