From Peaks to Potential: a Podcast for Parents of Teens Struggling With Mental and Behavioral Health Challenges

ThreePeaks Ascent

From Peaks to Potential is a podcast designed to provide parents with practical guidance and support as they navigate their teen's mental and behavioral health challenges. Join us as we explore the power of nature therapy and discover how outdoor experiences can foster healing, resilience, and personal growth. Our experts offer insights and strategies to help you create a supportive environment, empower your teen, and build a brighter future together.

Episodes

  1. JUL 7 · VIDEO

    Nature-Based Therapy: A Family's Journey Into Healing

    In this episode of From Peaks to Potential, host Tiffany Silva Herlin, LCSW, is joined by Rivka, a mother of a ThreePeaks Ascent graduate, to discuss the life-changing transformations she and her son experienced while attending the ThreePeaks Ascent nature based treatment program. They discuss in-depth the process parents go through in making these all-important decisions of which treatment program is right for their child and how to navigate the complex feelings that go along with those choices. Rivka brings a refreshingly honest outlook to both the benefits and challenges parents and their teens face while attending nature based treatment, as well as seasoned wisdom in successfully preparing for the transition of a child to come back home. This episode can provide hope and clarity for parents who feel lost on where to start in finding the right treatment program for their struggling teen. In this episode, you’ll learn: Healing Through Nature: Nature based therapy fosters deep change by removing distractions and building independence.Family Engagement Matters: Healing requires parents to grow alongside their child and stay actively involved.Guidance in Crisis: Educational consultants help families find the right treatment fit.Support After Treatment: Ongoing structure and consistency are key to lasting success.Throughout this podcast, you’ll find real-life experiences of a family dedicated to securing genuine growth through nature based healing for their struggling teenager. If you’re seeking to obtain more solid direction on how to further support your child through mental or behavioral struggles, this episode is going to be a true gem in your healing toolbox. Call us today at 435-272-1280 to speak with an admissions specialist about how ThreePeaks Ascent can help your family.

    1h 7m
  2. MAY 31 · VIDEO

    From Languishing to Living: Using Play to Counter Teenage Apathy

    In this heartfelt episode of From Languishing to Living, host Tiffany Silva Herlin, LCSW, talks with clinical psychologist Dr. Matt Hoag, Ph.D., of ThreePeaks Ascent to explore the surprisingly vital role of play in the lives of teenagers. Together, they uncover how playful, spontaneous experiences support emotional growth, resilience, and connection in ways that structured routines and screen time simply can’t. Whether you're parenting a withdrawn teen or trying to reconnect with your child's playful side, this episode offers insights to help you invite joy back into your family life. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Play Still Matters for Teens: How unstructured, creative play supports emotional and social development.Nature-Based Therapy in Action: How ThreePeaks Ascent uses nature and play as healing tools.How Parents Can Reintroduce Play: Simple, age-appropriate ways to help teens rediscover fun and spontaneity.Modeling Joy as Adults: Why your own willingness to play sets the tone for your teen’s emotional well-being.Play isn’t just for little kids—it’s a critical part of healthy adolescence and even adult life. Tiffany and Dr. Hoag offer practical tips and personal stories that show how reclaiming play can lead to deeper connections and healing. Listen now or read the transcript to discover how you can bring more joy, laughter, and lightness into your family’s routine. Searching for ways to help your struggling teen? Call us now at 435-272-1280 to learn more.

    43 min
  3. MAY 30 · VIDEO

    Parents' Guide to Teen Languishing: Why "Fine" Isn't Always Flourishing

    In this episode of From Languishing to Living, therapist Tiffany Silva Herlin, LCSW, sits down with Dr. Matt Hoag, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at ThreePeaks Ascent. Together, they unpack the often-overlooked concept of “languishing”—a low-level emotional stagnation that many teens experience, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. Parents will gain insight into how languishing shows up in teen behavior and what they can do to help their child move from “meh” to motivated. In this episode, you’ll learn about: What Is Languishing?: How to recognize the signs of emotional flatness in teens that aren’t quite depression, but aren’t healthy either.Teen Life in a Disconnected World: Why social media and screen time leave teens more isolated, not connected.The Risk of Doing Nothing: How languishing can snowball into depression, anxiety, and delayed emotional development.Why Nature Helps: How nature-based therapy supports emotional growth, presence, and connection.If your teen seems unmotivated, withdrawn, or “just not themselves,” this episode will give you clarity and direction. You’ll learn how to spot the early warning signs of deeper emotional struggles—and why discomfort can be a doorway to healing. Tune in to the full episode or read the transcript below for expert advice and practical tools you can use right now. Take the first step toward helping your teen thrive—call us today at 435-272-1280.

    54 min
  4. 11/01/2024 · VIDEO

    When to Consider Nature Treatment: A Parent's Guide

    As a parent watching your teen struggle with technology addiction, you may feel helpless, frustrated, and even scared. The child who once loved outdoor adventures and family activities now seems lost in a digital world, disconnected from real-life relationships and experiences. You've likely tried everything from setting limits to traditional therapy, but the pull of screens remains stronger than ever. In this enlightening episode of our podcast, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Tiffany Herlin sits down with Greg Allred, an ACMHC from ThreePeaks Ascent, to discuss how nature-based residential treatment can help break the cycle of technology addiction and reconnect teens with themselves and their families. Throughout this conversation, you'll discover: Clear signs that indicate when it's time to consider more intensive treatment options beyond traditional therapyThe unique benefits of nature-based therapy and how it helps reset unhealthy technology patternsWhat daily life looks like at ThreePeaks Ascent, including living arrangements, therapy sessions, and academic support How parents stay actively involved in their child's treatment through family therapy and support groupsAt ThreePeaks Ascent, we understand that sending your child to a residential program is one of the hardest decisions you'll ever make. But in our technology-saturated world, sometimes a complete reset is necessary for healing. Our program offers teens the chance to disconnect from screens and reconnect with themselves in a supportive, natural environment. Through 24/7 therapeutic support, academic continuation, and regular family involvement, we help teens develop healthier relationships with technology while building the confidence and life skills they need to thrive. Whether your teen is showing early warning signs or you're already in crisis, this episode provides valuable insights into how nature-based residential treatment could be the transformative experience your family needs. Help Your Child Heal: Call 435-272-1280 or visit our website at threepeakstreatment.com

    33 min
  5. 10/30/2024 · VIDEO

    Disconnecting to Reconnect: The Benefits of Nature Therapy

    This insightful episode of our podcast series focuses on nature-based therapy for teens. If you're grappling with your teenager's excessive screen time, social media addiction, or other technology-related challenges, you're not alone. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of nature-based therapy with Greg Allred, ACMHC, from Three Peaks Ascent, a short-term residential treatment program for teens aged 13-17. Greg shares valuable insights on how disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature can profoundly impact your teen's mental health and overall well-being. Key topics discussed in this episode by Tiffany Herlin, LCSW, and ThreePeaks Ascent therapist, Greg Allred, ACMHC: Disconnecting to Reconnect: How nature-based therapy helps teens break free from technology addiction and rediscover themselves.Benefits of Nature Immersion: The positive impacts of outdoor experiences on mental health, including stress reduction, improved focus, and enhanced social skills.Overcoming Digital Challenges: Strategies for helping teens manage technology withdrawals and develop healthier habits.Building Resilience Through Nature: How outdoor activities and challenges foster grit, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence in teens.The Power of Awe: Exploring how awe-inspiring natural experiences can provide perspective and promote personal growth for struggling teens.Whether you're considering Three Peaks Ascent or simply looking for alternative approaches to help your struggling teen, this episode offers hope, practical advice, and a fresh perspective on addressing the challenges of raising teenagers in our digital age. Join us as we explore how nature can be a powerful tool in helping your teen overcome anxiety, improve social skills, and develop resilience. Help Starts Here: Call 435-272-1280 or visit our website at threepeakstreatment.com

    57 min
  6. 10/29/2024 · VIDEO

    Tech Addiction Effects: How Screens are Shaping Teen Mental Health

    In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the critical issue of adolescent mental health in the digital age. Host Tiffany Herlin, a licensed clinical social worker, sits down with Greg Allred, an associate clinical mental health counselor from ThreePeaks Ascent, to explore the impact of technology on young people's well-being. Drawing insights from Jonathan Haidt's book The Anxious Generation, they discuss the alarming rise in anxiety and depression among teens and the potential benefits of nature-based therapy as an alternative approach to healing. Key topics discussed in this episode: The "great rewiring" of childhood from play-based to phone-based, and its effects on mental healthThe dramatic increase in depression, anxiety, and self-harm among adolescents since 2010The addictive nature of social media and its impact on teen developmentThe importance of free play, healthy risk-taking, and outdoor experiences for childrenPractical strategies for parents to manage their children's technology use and promote better mental healthThis enlightening conversation between Tiffany Herlin and Greg Allred sheds light on the pressing issues of adolescent mental health in our digital age. Their discussion, informed by recent research and personal experiences, offers valuable insights for parents and professionals alike. This episode explores the challenges facing today's youth and potential solutions, including the benefits of nature-based therapy. ThreePeaks Ascent, a nature-based residential treatment center, emerges as a beacon of hope for teens struggling with mental, emotional, and behavioral health issues in this increasingly complex world. Worried About Your Teen’s Technology Use? Call Us Now at 435-272-1280 or visit our website at threepeakstreatment.com

    1h 7m

Ratings & Reviews

About

From Peaks to Potential is a podcast designed to provide parents with practical guidance and support as they navigate their teen's mental and behavioral health challenges. Join us as we explore the power of nature therapy and discover how outdoor experiences can foster healing, resilience, and personal growth. Our experts offer insights and strategies to help you create a supportive environment, empower your teen, and build a brighter future together.