Brent Esplin: Adolescent Mental Health: What Every Parent Should Know

Adolescence has always been challenging, but today's teens are navigating a level of emotional complexity unlike any previous generation.In this episode of Mental Health Momentum, host Dr. David Morgan, licensed psychologist and Director of Mental Health Awareness at Silicon Slopes, welcomes Brent Esplin, LMFT, Executive Director of OASIS Ascent, for an honest conversation about adolescent mental health, residential treatment, and what families need to know when a teenager is struggling.Drawing on more than 25 years of experience working with teens and their families, Brent shares how a talent for listening led him into a career helping adolescents through some of life's most difficult moments. He also explains why he chose residential treatment over private practice and how creating the right therapeutic environment can make all the difference in a young person's recovery.Together, Brent and Dr. Morgan discuss:Why adolescence is one of life's most vulnerable stages.What residential treatment really looks like—and how it differs from psychiatric hospitalization.The importance of creating safe, home-like environments that support healing.How therapists develop their expertise through supervision, experience, and specialized training.Why listening is one of the most powerful tools in mental health care.Whether you're a parent, educator, therapist, or simply passionate about improving youth mental health, this episode offers practical insights from two experienced clinicians dedicated to helping young people thrive.