Do you remember some of the poor choices you made as a teenager? We sure remember some of ours. Would you make the same choices now that you are a fully functioning adult? Yeah, neither would we. Sometimes we might think, “If only I could go back and make some of those choices over, it would all be different.” We believe that type of statement is a fallacy. How are we going to learn to get back up if we never fall?
Yes, your daughter might be in a fallen state right now. There may be many reasons for this. However, it is important to remember that there are also many neurological reasons as well. Your daughter’s brain is still developing. The adolescent brain is much more susceptible to various harms as it is still developing. That is why we feel early treatment in adolescence is so crucial to healthy brain development.
Gaining Some Insight on Brain Development
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains that there are several things that we should keep in mind when it comes to adolescent brain development. They explain that the brain reaches its biggest size in early adolescence; around 11 years old for girls and 14 years old for boys. However, they go on to explain that “Though the brain may be done growing in size, it does not finish developing and maturing until the mid-to-late 20s.”
This lack of development is what makes the teenage brain so susceptible to issues regarding mental health. Teenagers are functioning with one hand tied behind their backs. Unsurprisingly, we tend to make those poor choices in adolescence.
The NIMH continues to explain that “The front part of the brain, called the prefrontal cortex, is one of the last brain regions to mature. This area is responsible for skills like planning, prioritizing, and controlling impulses.” They go on to explain that “[B]ecause these skills are still developing, teens are more likely to engage in risky behaviors without considering the potential results of their decisions.”
It is this risky behavior and lack of consequence consideration that we feel it is vital to get your daughter the help she needs as early as possible.
Why Protecting the Adolescent Brain Is So Important
Science has discovered that the human brain has something called “neural plasticity.” This plasticity is what can be crucial not just in how your daughter’s decision-making now but in her choices and actions later in life.
So what is “neural plasticity?” The academic journal Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience explains that “Neural plasticity, also known as neuroplasticity or brain plasticity, can be defined as the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections.” This is great news for the adolescent mind because it means that it is still malleable to change.
According to NIMH, “[C]hanges in the brain during this important phase of development actually may help protect against long-term mental disorders.” By helping your children in adolescence, you are also helping them become healthy adults. Even if your daughter is struggling now, they can recover and discover new, healthy practices.
At Clearview Girls Academy, we feel that by engaging our students in a program of healthy practices and “stimuli,” we can positively reroute their thinking. We do this through a program of academic excellence, emotional healing, and spiritual growth. This three-tiered approach works wonders with our students and has pivotally helped their decision-making moving forward.
Why Focusing on “Now” Can Pay Dividends “Later”
At Clearview Girls Academy, we think it vital that your daughter learn the positive lessons of life while her brain is still developing. We don’t want her dangerous thought processes to be cemented later on. Instead, we want to give her a fighting chance here at Clearview Girls Academy.
#1 Therapeutic Programs
We have the types of programs that can help your daughter’s brain develop in a positive direction. One of these approaches includes equine therapy to help her connect back to another one of God’s creatures. We also offer art therapy to help her “get messy” and express herself fully.
#2 Academic Learning
Clearview Girls Academy is also a fully accredited place of academic learning, both in middle school and high school. We feel that the adolescent brain is a sponge, and it is important to impart all the academic knowledge we can while their brains are still developing.
#3 Spiritual Practices
Lastly, we believe that adopting a spiritual practice early on will help your daughter make moral and ethical decisions later on in life. We want to help your daughters succeed in all these facets of life. We want your daughters to know now what they need when they are older.
The adolescent mind is a precious commodity. That is why if you think your daughter is struggling with issues like substance use disorder (SUD), anxiety, or depression, it is crucial that they get the help they need. With the developing brain, time is of the essence. At Clearview Girls Academy, we understand the importance of treating your child’s problems as soon as they are detected. We have the tools and resources to help your daughter get the balanced and individualized attention they need for a successful, healthy, and lasting recovery. Let us help light her path toward the bright future she deserves. Contact Clearview Girls Academy at (888) 796-5484 for more information.
