In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” Dr. Brad Riemann, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology and senior clinical adviser of Embark Behavioral Health, joins the podcast with Alex Stavros, CEO of Embark, to discuss obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in teens and young adults and how parents can support their children. OCD is characterized by obsessions (unwanted thoughts, images, or urges) and compulsions (repetitive acts to neutralize obsessions). Common misconceptions include thinking that...
Dec 14, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this episode, Kevin shares his personal adoption story. He and Rob discuss the challenges he faced growing up as an adoptee. Kevin also dives into his journey of self-discovery and healing, his search for his biological family, and the relationships he's forged with them. Kevin emphasizes the importance of finding one's identity and being known, and offers hope and encouragement to other adoptees and parents of adoptive children. Related Blogs: Trauma and Adoption: How To Help Your Teen Heal ...
Nov 22, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Childhood trauma can have a lasting impact on a child's mental and physical health. Learn how parents and caregivers can create a safe and supportive environment to help them heal on this episode of Roadmap to Joy. Baaba Hawthorne, executive director of Embark Behavioral Health in West Los Angeles, California, and Stephanie Lucas, clinical director of Embark Behavioral Health in Bend, Oregon, debunk misconceptions about trauma and provide strategies for parents and caregivers to support children...
Oct 18, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Discover invaluable insights on dealing with grief as an experienced Embark Therapist teams up with a compassionate parent to delve into the intricacies of grieving. Gain a deeper understanding commonly misunderstood concepts surrounding loss, such as the stages of grief. Learn how to navigate grief as a family as we move toward healing on this episode of Roadmap to Joy. CONTENT NOTICE: This episode contains discussions of sensitive subject matter, including infant loss and suicide. If you are h...
Aug 30, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” join licensed social worker Alexzis Figueroa of Embark Behavioral Health in Scottsdale, Arizona and student Baylee as they delve into the world of social anxiety and share valuable insights on coping with this common mental health challenge, especially among teenagers. In this episode, they define social anxiety as an intense form of worry and fear about how others perceive us. Discover the difference between everyday worries and anxiety disorders, while lear...
Jul 19, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Join Jake Sparks, Treatment Director of Embark Behavioral Health, as he shares advice for the whole family on boosting your mental health during summer break. Discover practical strategies for maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, managing screen time, and tackling boredom. Jake also shares research on how screen time impacts your brain, why boredom can be disruptive to your emotional well-being, and what strategies you can use to manage them. Related Blogs: Ask a Therapist: Why Does My Teenager...
Jun 30, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” our host, Bailey Petty, Learning, and Development Manager at Embark Behavioral Health, and guest, Maddy Little, Licensed Associate Counselor at Embark Behavioral Health in Phoenix, Arizona, dive into signs your teen could benefit from a mental health day from school. Bailey and Maddy describe restorative activities, give tips on communicating with your teen’s teachers and school and provide examples of how parents can model healthy stress management technique...
Apr 18, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 8
To wrap up our Mental Health 101 series on “Roadmap to Joy,” Richard, a parent of an Embark Behavioral Health alumni, tells his story of his family’s mental health treatment journey. Your host, Scott Harris, manager of continuous improvement at Embark Behavioral Health, and Richard discuss how finding the proper treatment for his son brought healing to his entire family, how he grew as a parent, and how their relationship transformed. Related Blogs: How to Find Good Mental Health Therapists for ...
Mar 27, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” we shed light on some important terms surrounding mental health and therapy. Your host, Jake Sparks, treatment director at Embark Behavioral Health and guest, Rob Gent, Chief Clinical Officer at Embark Behavioral Health, will discuss what attachment, trauma, shame, and co-regulation mean and how building a mental health vocabulary can help adolescents, teens, and young adults on their healing journey. Related Blogs: Trauma and Adoption: How To Help Your Teen ...
Feb 28, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” Alex Stavros, CEO of Embark Behavioral Health, and Andy Maurer, CEO of Pursue Whole, discuss what it means to be an emotionally present parent. Alex and Andy dive into why parents may struggle to find balance in their everyday lives, and how to create a purposeful and joyful life. Related Blogs: 9 Successful Family Traits How to Take Care of Yourself So You Can Take Care of Your Child Stress vs. Distress: How Do You Help Your Teen Navigate a Stressful World? ...
Jan 11, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this episode of “Roadmap to Joy,” we shed light on some important questions surrounding mental health, therapy, and therapists. Your host, Jake Sparks, treatment director at Embark Behavioral Health, and guest, Abby Jones, clinical director at Embark Behavioral Health in Scottsdale, Arizona, talk about what mental health is, how to know if you or someone in your family needs therapy, where symptoms come from, the different types of therapists, and how to find the right mental health professio...
Dec 07, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Learn how you can help prevent suicide if your teen is struggling with suicidal thoughts, behaviors, or urges. Your hosts Megan Dean and Jake Sparks from Embark Behavioral Health will give you actionable tips, resources, and best practices for communicating with your child when they are struggling with difficult challenges like self-harm and suicidal ideation. Resources: https://988lifeline.org/ Blogs for Parents: What Is Suicidal Ideation in Teens? Suicidal Thoughts and Warning Signs Preventing...
Sep 28, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Does your child or teenager experience school anxiety? How can you encourage them to stay engaged in school without making their anxiety worse? Join our hosts, Ginger Nicholson and Jake Sparks, LMFT, as they discuss how to identify the signs of school anxiety and if your child’s nervous system is dysregulated. Jake advises on how to respond with empathy, provide emotional support, and co-regulate with your child. Blogs for Parents: https://bit.ly/fear-of-school-in-teens https://bit.ly/teenager-r...
Sep 16, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this episode, Rob interviews Liz Lees, Registered Dietitian, on how to recognize signs of an eating disorder, how to seek treatment, and how parents can support their child while in eating disorder treatment. Rob and Liz discuss how eating disorders impact physical and mental health, as well as the important role parents play through encouraging treatment, meal planning, and modeling healthy relationships with food and body image. Eating Disorder Treatment at Doorways: Doorways Phoenix 4747 N...
Jul 30, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to Roadmap to Joy! In the first episode of our mental health podcast, Rob Gent, Chief Clinical Officer of Embark Behavioral Health, and Alex Stavros, Chief Executive Officer of Embark Behavioral Health, discuss the youth mental health crisis and the importance of secure family relationships. They also give advice for parents about how to talk to their children about tragic events, such as school shootings. Be sure to subscribe to stay informed and find new ways to support the teen or you...
Jun 23, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 1
