How I began working with teens and mental health
When people ask if I specialize in anything here at Mosaic Medicine, my heart always does a little back flip as I reflect on this. I get a “pinch me” sensation thinking about the work I get to do. For several years I dreamt of working with teens in hopes of supporting them as they bounce, bobble and, all too often, stumble through their defining teenage chapter. While I felt a strong desire and magnetic pull to work with this demographic, our schedules didn’t sync up for many years. Early in my practice I was working part-time as I simultaneously had my first, and only, child and by late afternoons into the evenings, when the very busy teens became available, I was home prepping dinners and baths, raising my own future teenager.
Fast forward to 2018, my daughter was attending fuller school days and needing me a bit less, when my dream job fell into my lap-top. I received an email inquiring if I would be interested in creating a pilot acupuncture program at a long-term residential treatment facility for teenage girls struggling with their mental health. A colleague, and dear friend, had passed along my information thinking I would be a good match for the position. My whole body lit up. I didn’t know this was my dream job initially but it was clear it would be my opportunity to work with teens on a regular basis.
I had many pre-conceived notions about working with clients who had been sent away from home to receive treatment. I envisioned broody girls, arms tightly clenched across their chest; one-word answers and menacing tactics to get their needs met at all cost. I imagined cliques and gossip, lies and distrust. I am embarrassed by my preconceived notions, that I fell prey to a closed mindedness born out of society’s “troubled teens” stereo-types. More honestly it was a reflection of my own nervousness that they would perceive me as an out of touch middle-aged woman who was far from gaining their respect or trust. I also believe my own inner-teen was awoken and felt threatened to be returning to this perilous part of my past.
I am humbled by how wrong I was, astounded by the suffering these children were experiencing and that most of them welcomed what I had to offer. Sure, many were initially trepidatious and a bit confused about why I was there. They were not accustom to my mystical music or aromatic room sprays wafting from the room as I greeted them with the invitation to try acupuncture as a part of their treatment. I spent a lot of time answering questions and explaining how acupuncture can be a salve to their nervous system, an alternative approach to unwinding tension and patterns of habitual tendencies, beliefs, and actions. I often taught them how to breath better; to pay closer attention to their bodies and to trust the valuable information the body can communicate.
Four years later I am still working with the clients at this residential program in addition to my private practice. Over this timeframe, I have come to understand that the most important part of our work isn’t necessarily the acupuncture and cupping but instead the value of clients learning to communicate their needs effectively. That they speak up if something is uncomfortable or painful. We discuss agency and consent and I encourage them to practice this with me so, if nothing else, they practice using their voice, saying no if something doesn’t resonate or feel right, and sharing what feels good and supportive. Sure, I hope exposure and firsthand experience of the benefits acupuncture and cupping offer catalyses a pursuit of these modalities after they return home, but more importantly, I hope they leave with a greater understanding of themselves and how to take inventory of what serves their highest good as they come to value themselves and their choices in a more mindful and meaningful way.
My private practice is a place for teens to come get support with the clear intention of helping them before a residential program is their best option. I offer small community group acupuncture and 1:1 appointments. In addition to acupuncture, cupping and mindfulness practices, I work with flower essences, essential oils and dietary consulting when necessary.
To be clear, I love my non-teen clients who I have worked with for over a decade as well. The pregnant mamas, new mamas and the parents of teens who are struggling. Generally anyone in need of support with their overall mental health. I tend to attract clients who are overwhelmed and in need of services that not only help them feel better in the moment but those who are also looking for tools and techniques to better manage their day-today stresses. In addition to supporting the nervous system, I also have a knack for helping people with their allergies, sleep issues, immune systems and acute pain but I always found myself yearning to add teen clients to my practice and I write this post as a declaration of my deep appreciation and fondness for working with this incredible demographic.
In good health,
Erin
Have questions? I would love to hear them in the comments!
Teens and Acupuncture
When people learn I’m an acupuncturist their response is either, “Oh, I loooove acupuncture”, or “Oh, that’s interesting. I’ve never tried it but hear people love it.” If the conversation continues, both parties are often surprised to learn I specialize in the field of mental health and even more surprised to learn I work with teens at a long term residential program where I offer acupuncture to clients once a week. If the conversation moves to this stage a flurry of questions and murmurs of appreciation follows.
Curious Person: “So you give the clients acupuncture for what, substance abuse?”
Me: “Sometimes, sure, but more commonly the clients are there for anxiety, depression, ptsd, self-harm, suicidal ideation, or some combination of these common challenges teens face today.”
Curious Person: “ Wow, and that helps?”
Me: “Absolutely, and the clients love it. I commonly hear that acupuncture is their favorite part of the program. While most of them come in trepidatious, or explicitly scared “it will hurt”, the first time we meet, 99% of the clients who try it look forward to it each week. They completely open up to the process and share they notice remarkable differences as a result.
In addition to acupuncture, I also offer cupping, ear seeds, essential oils, and mindfulness practices. We often have conversations exploring how they relate to their mental health, their physical bodies and try to bridge the gap between the two. I play great music and hold healing space that essentially shifts something for each person as soon as they walk into the room. Don’t get me wrong, they are often VERY skeptical of me and what I am doing there but quickly learn they are in a safe, nurturing space. Acupuncture is not mandatory so anyone coming to see me is there because they chose to be there”.
Curious Person: “Wow, that’s incredible. How lucky for them, teens really need all the help they can get.”
Everyday I go to work I feel like the lucky one. It is an honor to hold space with these vulnerable young people and I am constantly learning from them as they navigate the unpredictable, turbulent, and often frightening, life experiences they face. I feel privileged to work with teens in a meaningful way offering support as they acclimate and delve into their therapeutic process at the residential program.
Many of these conversations about my work will progress to anecdotal stories about an adolescent loved one struggling with anxiety and/or depression, or a far more somber share about someone who has tragically lost a loved one to the growing number of deaths by suicide. Everyone agrees there is grave concern about the undeniable mental health epidemic teens, and their loved ones, are facing today. The statistics are sobering and the solutions complicated.
I have recently re-opened my private practice with the intensions of supporting anyone struggling with their mental health, with an emphasis on teens and their loved ones. My goal is to help these young people, and their families, manage the challenges they’re facing before it gets so severe, a residential program feels like their best option.
If you, or a teen you care about, is struggling with their mental health there are many options for support, acupuncture is just one of them. This is why I work closely with therapists, doctors and family members when necessary. I have a high regard for meeting people where they are and I am humbled by the courage, strength, and perseverance I see each day I work with my clients. Thank you for showing up and doing your work. And if you’re reading this and feeling the call to try acupuncture to support your mental health, I am here for you when you’re ready.
In good health,
Erin