Therapy-Driven Activities for LGBTQIA+ Teens in Brentwood: Where to Practice Coping Strategies
So, you may have seen the blogs I’ve written in the past about coping skills not always being the answer. While they’re not always the answer, or at least the whole answer, they are a necessary part of making it through life. I can’t count the number of times a parent has contacted me to say “my kid just needs coping skills.” Although we need more than just coping skills, we do need coping strategies, which your teen could learn in teen therapy. Let’s talk about coping strategies, and then I’ll give you a pretty extensive list of ideas for coping skills around Franklin, Brentwood, and Nashville.
Why Do We Need Coping Skills?
I feel like we really mystify the term “coping skill.” It’s really not that complicated. A coping skill is just a thing you do that helps you to feel good. Maybe that’s something that improves your mood, or maybe it’s something that keeps you stay in a good mood if you’re already feeling pretty well. In any case, that’s a coping skill.
Good, bad, and ugly of coping skills…
Coping skills can look very different from person to person. One person’s reading could be another person’s running. We typically tend to think of coping skills as very positive (or only positive) activities. We always hope that’s the case when it comes to coping. However, as an experienced teen therapist, I’ve noticed that some coping skills aren’t all that positive. And some positive coping skills used in the wrong ways can really cause problems.
For instance, running.
Great for increasing serotonin and dopamine in your brain, produces endorphins, has physical health benefits. But it’s possible to overdo running. Or even to get “addicted” to running to the point that you’re not actually dealing with your problems – you’re just constantly running to “feel better,” and we can’t do that forever.
And for the “ugly,” you may find lots of things that you didn’t even know are coping skills, because of that whole “coping skills are always positive” stereotype we have. Drinking, drug use, nicotine, self-harm, risky sexual behavior, and other activities can all be coping skills, although very unhealthy ones.
So, we want to use positive coping skills in order to help us feel better, maintain feeling better, and to help in avoiding negative coping skills. Here’s a decent list of different things you can do in the area, broken down into categories, with all activity levels in mind.
Chill, Relaxed Places to Practice Coping Strategies
Cool Springs Galleria Mall
Whether you’re actually looking to shop or just walk around, the mall can be a good place to get out and stretch your legs with family, friends, or just by yourself.
AMC Thoroughbred Theater
Again, whether in a group or by yourself, it can be nice to get away from everything outside and just let yourself absorb all the sensory experiences and the story of a movie.
Library
Williamson County Library in Franklin and Brentwood Library both offer lots for teens. Maybe you just want a place outside of home to read or find some new books. Maybe you want to participate in some of the activities at these libraries – D&D club, art club, game night, retro movie night, or ACT prep class.
These spaces can be used in conjunction with other activities like mindfulness or relaxation exercises. If your teen finds these activities helpful but still struggles with deeper emotional issues, online therapy for teens can offer support from the comfort of home.
Creative, Critical Thinking Coping Strategies
Creating Art
Creating something specific to you can be a great way to express your feelings and individuality. Places like Third Coast Clay and Posh Pottery are great locations to do this with ceramic painting. Hawaii Fluid Art also gives you the ability to create other types of art.
Escape Rooms
Breakout Games in Franklin, and Extreme Escape Games in South Nashville both offer you the opportunity to put your critical thinking to the test and figure a way out of a tricky room.
Music
Creating and learning music can be a great way to find confidence and express oneself (I’m in a couple of bands, too, so I really get this). A few places in the area that can help you do this are Music Lab in Brentwood, Mobile Music Academy (who will provide in-home music lessons if you’re not feeling up to getting out of the house), and Franklin School of Rock in Cool Springs. However, if your teen finds that these activities aren’t enough, or if they’re dealing with persistent emotional challenges, a teen therapist in Brentwood can provide them with strategies tailored to their specific needs.
Outdoor Physical Activities
Skateboarding
While I never could skate at all, so many of my friends do – and they started as teens. I know plenty of teens who skate as well. There are a couple of local skate parks – Jim Warren Skate Plaza in Franklin, and YMCA skatepark in Brentwood.
Parks
It’s almost a cliché to mention parks and running, walking, biking, and hiking as part of a coping skills list. But clichés become that way for a reason – usually because lots of people do them. There are so many parks in the area. Just a few: Smith Park in Brentwood, Aspen Grove Park in Cool Springs, Pinkerton Park in Franklin, and Radnor Park in Oak Hill (barely outside Brentwood). Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary provides lots of opportunity to view wildlife, hike, and participate in a variety of events.
On the water
Paddle Dog in Westhaven offers paddle board, canoe, and kayak rentals on the water in Westhaven neighborhood. Broken Paddle Outfitters in Bellevue Nashville provide kayak, canoe, and tube rentals on the Harpeth River 7 days a week.
Walking (and tours)
You can take a walk at any of the parks listed above. Or at the mall listed above. Or, if you want some good stories to go with your walk, try a walking tour. Most of my clients know I’m into spooky things, so no surprise that I’ve been to a lot of the walking ghost tours downtown Franklin, TN. Franklin on Foot and Franklin Walking Tours give some excellent tours, whether you’re looking for ghost stories or just want some history. Sometimes you can even bring your dog.
Indoor Physical Activities
Rock Climbing
The Crag is an amazing climbing gym with a few locations, including one in Cool Springs, just a few minutes away from my office. There’s also SOAR Climb & Putt that allows you to climb and balance on all kinds of unique things.
Roller Skating
Brentwood Skate Center has been around for as long as I can remember. I went skating there as a teenager, and now I know current teens who enjoy it. Physical activity that is often social as well. And skating with someone can eliminate having to look them in the eye for a whole conversation if you’re trying to build up to that.
Trampoline Parks
Sky Zone in Brentwood and Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park in Franklin are great options for fun exercise. Bring friends or family and have a good time. You can get your endorphins in a completely different way. You can even find some cool ninja warrior courses!
Fitness
There are so many different ways to go about listing places for fitness activities. So I’ll just give you a quick list of some affordable places that offer more than just fitness and you can branch out from there if you’d like (or contact me and I’ll point you in the direction of more).
Williamson County Recreation Centers
Williamson County Recreation Centers provide the option for tons of different physical and fitness-related activities. There are centers located in Brentwood, Fairview, Franklin, Spring Hill, and Nolensville. They have weights, cardio machines, pools, basketball, pickleball, tennis, fitness classes, and all kinds of other activities for all ages. As part of the rec centers, you can visit the Williamson County Indoor Sports Complex in Brentwood. It’s a large facility with just about everything you could think to ask for and located very conveniently.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness in Franklin, TN is an affordable option specifically for fitness. It has less amenities than you may find at rec centers or the Y, but you can definitely get your weights and cardio here.
YMCA
YMCA of Middle Tennessee has locations in Franklin, Brentwood, and throughout Nashville. Every location is unique, and they have plenty of additional activities and services. I feel that it’s important to note the frequent religious focus of YMCA, as it is a Christian-based organization.
But, if physical activity is used as a way to avoid emotional issues, it could signal the need for more professional guidance. This is where a teen therapist in Brentwood can offer support in addressing any underlying emotional or psychological struggles, helping your teen develop a more balanced approach to mental health.
Just for Fun
Arcades
How about games? Could that get you out of the house? You can always find the places like Dave and Buster’s at Opry Mills. But how about a place like Game Terminal, with pinball machines and tons of arcade games? Heads up, it’s 21 years and older after 8pm.
Bowling
Bowling can be great for socializing and physical activity. Franklin Family Entertainment Center and King’s Dining & Entertainment both give a space for bowling, food, and other games.
LGBTQIA+ Specific Activities
There are a few activities and groups that specifically cater to the LGBTQIA+ community in various ways.
Wilco Iris
Wilco Iris is an organization led by students with some adult supervision. They provide support, encouragement, and a safe space for LGBTQIA+ teens in Williamson County. They also plan and organize various events and even have a library.
PFLAG
PFLAG Franklin is a supportive group for parents, friends, and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community in Franklin, Brentwood, and the rest of Williamson County. There are plenty of LGBTQIA+ members as well, and teens and children often attend meetings.
Major Minors
Major Minors is a youth chorus for ages 12-18 which focuses on allowing youth to be their true selves, promote social change, and support LGBTQIA+ youth.
Tennessee Equality Project
Volunteering, especially for something you care about, can be a great way to also help yourself feel good. Tennessee Equality Project is an organization who advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights in Tennessee. There are a number of ways to volunteer. TEP hosts other LGBTQIA+ related events as well.
These organizations provide safe spaces for teens to express themselves, build confidence, and feel supported. However, some teens may need further emotional support, especially if they are navigating complex identities or facing discrimination. In these cases, online therapy for teens can offer a flexible and confidential way for your teen to explore their feelings with a trained professional.
Reach Out for Teen Therapy in Brentwood or Explore Coping Skill Activities Near You
If you have any questions about therapy driven activities, or places you can explore for coping skills, feel free to reach out. If you need to sort through those problems that are causing you to need coping skills even more, we’re here to help. You can reach me (and my canine therapy assistant, June) at 931-626-3278 or [email protected]. We provide therapy in our office at 3326 Aspen Grove Dr, Suite 504, Franklin, TN 37067 – conveniently located in Cool Springs near Franklin and Brentwood. We also provide online therapy. To start in Tennessee, follow these simple steps:
- Contact Cody and June to schedule a free 15-minute consultation for you or your teen.
- Meet with Cody and June for an initial counseling for teens session.
- Begin therapy, online or in person
Counseling services offered by Cody Higgs and his therapy assistant dog June:
In addition to online and in-office teen therapy, June and I offer a variety of counseling services in Franklin or online throughout the state of Tennessee. More specifically, we offer LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy, young adult counseling, and walk + talk therapy. I specialize in working with folx experiencing anxiety, as well as depression, trauma, and generally feeling lost or trying to figure out who they are. To get to know June and me further, please contact my counseling office.