Depression Treatment in Brentwood

Depression causes someone to experience an extended period of sadness and negative thoughts about themselves and the world around them. Teen and adolescent depression is a serious concern that can have lifelong consequences if not treated properly. If you suspect that your teen is experiencing depression, reach out for help. Our trained and compassionate healthcare professionals are here for you and your family.

embrace U is a comprehensive adolescent mental health clinic. We focus on treating anxiety and depression in teens and adolescents using evidence-based therapies while promoting belonging, inclusion, empathy, compassion, acceptance, and security.

What Does Depression Look Like in Children and Teens?

Depression can make it difficult for teens and pre-teens to focus on their schoolwork or maintain relationships with family and friends. If they’re involved in team sports or other extracurricular activities, depression may cause them to lose interest in these ventures. Depression can also make teens feel tired or irritable on a regular basis. 

If left untreated, depression can worsen and lead to serious consequences, like deteriorated relationships, diminished quality of life, or even suicidal thoughts, so it’s important to act now by getting help.

The following may be signs of depression in your teen:

  • Persistent down mood or feeling sad most of the time
  • Lack of energy
  • Mood swings or irritability
  • Changes in sleeping habits (either sleeping too much or insomnia)
  • Changes in eating habits (either eating too much or not enough)
  • Isolation from friends or family
  • Loss of interest in activities or social groups
  • Lack of self-confidence or feeling guilt or shame
  • Poor cognitive function, including bad memory or an inability to concentrate
  • Substance abuse
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Poor performance at school

How Common is Depression in Teens and Adolescents?

Depression is a mental health concern that affects approximately one out of every five teens (National Institute of Mental Health, 2020). In 2020, an estimated 4.1 million adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17 experienced at least one major depressive episode (National Institute of Mental Health, 2020).

Depression can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or race. Depression is the most common mental health concern in children, and it’s affecting more people each year. In fact, studies show that females are nearly twice as likely to experience a depressive episode than males. If you’re concerned about your teen or adolescent’s mental health or think they may be experiencing depression, it’s essential to talk to their doctor immediately.

We Are Here For You.

Call our Brentwood mental health clinic today at (615) 236-8619 to learn more about our program and how we can help your child. Our experienced staff is here to empower and care for your loved one.

What Causes Depression in Young People?

Research suggests that depression isn’t solely related to an imbalance of certain brain chemicals, but rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including genetic factors, stressful or traumatic life events, or even structural abnormalities in the brain.

While depression can impact anyone, certain groups may be at a higher risk of developing clinical depression, including:

  • Members of the LGBTQIA+ community
  • People who have experienced childhood trauma
  • People with learning disabilities
  • People with ADHD
  • People with anxiety
  • People who have other health concerns, such as diabetes or cancer
  • People who are experiencing a conflictual home life
  • People who have close family members who also suffer from depression
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Our Depression Treatment in Brentwood for Adolescents

embrace U’s esteemed healthcare professionals utilize evidence-based intensive outpatient care to treat teen and adolescent depression. Our clinical team consists of a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, licensed therapists, and registered nurses, who work together to provide structured therapy, education and coping skills, medication management if needed, aftercare support, and more. All care is provided by our team of qualified, licensed professionals.

In addition to treating clinical depression, our Brentwood depression treatment program can help with:

  • Anger management concerns
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar disorders
  • Blended family issues
  • Family and relationship issues
  • Grief and loss
  • Isolating behaviors
  • Poor body image
  • Post-traumatic stress disorders
  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Self-esteem issues
  • Self-harm behaviors and thoughts
  • Stress management issues
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Unhealthy coping skills

How To Help My Child With Depression

To help your child and support their recovery:

  • Don’t ignore the signs: Depression in teens may be difficult to spot at first, but it’s important to recognize when symptoms arise, such as persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, outbursts of anger, and sleep disturbances.
  • Ask questions: Talk with your teenager regularly about how they’re feeling, what challenges they’re facing, and if there’s anything about themselves or their life that they would like to change. Listen carefully without judgment, but also let them know that it’s not normal to feel this way all the time—and if things don’t improve soon, professional help might be needed.
  • Get help: If your child is struggling with depression or anxiety for several weeks or longer, consider speaking with their pediatrician about possible treatment options, including therapy. It’s also advisable to meet with a therapist yourself so that you can learn more about managing negative emotions in children and how best to support your teen’s mental health moving forward.

 

It’s important for parents to be aware of the signs of depression in teens and pre-teens. Typically, teenagers won’t be willing to admit that they are depressed; this is why parents often have to be the first ones to seek help when a teen can’t. Common signs of depression include changes in eating habits, sleeping patterns, energy levels, and interest in activities. If your child has been feeling sad or melancholy for several weeks and is having difficulty getting out of bed or completing schoolwork, this may be a sign of depression. If your teen starts talking about suicide, or if you’re concerned that they may be contemplating self-harm, this is cause for alarm, and you should immediately schedule an appointment with their doctor or call a crisis hotline. If this is an emergency, please call 911. If your child is in emotional distress, there are resources available for immediate help. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or you can use their Lifeline Chat. Services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.  

What Are the Steps to Learn More About in embrace U's IOP?

Once you’ve made the decision that your teen could greatly benefit from the professional mental health services we provide at our depression clinic in Brentwood, simply follow the steps outlined below:

  • Call us at (615) 236-8619 or submit a contact form. Our admissions team is available from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. CST, M-F, to listen to your needs and answer any questions you may have.
  • Your child will then receive a free clinical consultation.
  • Next, your child will undergo a mental health evaluation with our board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist.
  • A primary therapist will then be assigned to your teenager based on their individual needs.
  • We will begin our evidence-based treatment, and your teen will benefit from individual, group, and family therapy, as well as medication management if necessary.

embrace U's Depression Treatment in Brentwood, Tennessee

When your teen or adolescent displays signs of depression, it can be difficult to know what to say or do. You can help your child by providing support and encouragement, but if you feel your child is struggling with depression, don’t wait. Reach out to a trusted, professional, adolescent and teen Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Brentwood like embrace U today.

embrace U is a compassionate and evidence-based depression treatment clinic in Brentwood, Tennessee. Contact us today to learn how we can help your child overcome their depression.

Our team can give you a free clinical consultation today!