Why is Nurturing Self-Discovery so Important Right Now?
If you’ve been following us for a while, you probably already know that everything Lucero creates – from new features in the app to our social posts – is a collaboration between licensed clinical therapists and a team of youth advisors. Hands down, we believe that the best way to address the current youth mental […]
Using Spark as a Family
Here’s a little-known fun fact about Lucero: Long before we built an app, we created Quest Cards: a conversation card deck with questions that youth and families could use to spark conversations around the dinner table. With prompts like, “If your personality were a color, what would it be?” and “Tell a story about one […]
Why Are Loneliness Rates Increasing?
Loneliness has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., according to Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. In May, Murthy’s office released a sobering report which stated, “Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health. Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being hiding […]
Meet the Team: Dakota Becker, LPC
Dakota Becker, LPC, is passionate about play. Her Lucero avatar is a steady, hard-working turtle, but she knows how to have a good time, too! As one of the lead therapists crafting content for the Lucero app, Dakota’s expert advice helps us make self-care fun for tweens and teens. She sees play as a powerful […]
The Benefits of Travel for Teens
There’s been a seismic shift in travel over the past three years, and it’s not as easy for today’s teens to enjoy the carefree adventures their parents once did. But one thing hasn’t changed: travel is still one of the most powerful ways for teens to learn about themselves and the world, all while developing […]
Why Being More Present is so Important for Teens
Did you know that learning to be more at home in the present can give teens a brighter future? Being more present gives them tools to manage stress, reduce anxiety, increase their focus and build emotional resilience. And since adolescence is a critical time for brain development, teens who practice presence are learning healthy habits […]
How Healthy Habits Can Improve Your Connection to Yourself and Others
Connection is a cornerstone of teen mental health. But what does it mean for teens and tweens to feel connected? Imagine that each positive relationship in your teen’s life is like a single strand in their individual safety net. Many relationships equal a strong safety net. When they’re struggling, make a mistake, or need help, […]
The Science of Belonging and Connection
“A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people,” says researcher and author Brené Brown. “We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong.” Belonging is important at every age, but it’s especially important for tweens and teens. Research shows that close, trusting […]
Why We Chose a Youth-driven Approach
Do you ever wish you could travel back in time and give your teenage self advice, encouragement, or maybe just a hug? Many of us have great memories of being a teenager, but we all remember plenty of challenging, cringe-worthy moments, too. A lot has changed, but tweens and teens still need tools to help […]
How Healthy Habits Help Teens Navigate Transitions
Imagine that you’re an explorer about to journey into unfamiliar territory. You have no idea what challenges you’ll face, so you need to fill your pack with tools to help you stay safe and find your way. Adolescence is a lot like that: exciting, scary, and full of transitions. And just like explorers, teens need […]
