Teen Therapy

Teenagers are just different!

“Who is this person, and where did they come from?” It’s your sweet little angel who just entered adolescence.

Remember when they were little, and all they wanted to do was please you? They looked up to you and wanted to be with you and be like you. They tried on your clothes and shoes, hung onto your every word, and valued your opinion.

Sorry, those days are over!

Peers become more important.

They don’t like your music anymore, and their music is barely listenable to you. It’s like they’re rejecting everything you taught them. It seems like they just want to stay locked up in their room yelling at people playing video games.

During this period, they are trying to find their way in the world and figuring out how to become their own person. Unfortunately, this often means rejecting your values/lifestyle and becoming “all in” with the peer group.

Adolescents do what they do.

Teens are transitioning from childhood to adulthood, and many things are happening behind the scenes. They may grapple with issues like friendships, drugs/alcohol, school, peer pressure, bullying, raging hormones, dating, sex and sexuality, gender identity, appearance, and feeling judged.

They may show signs of anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems and can become moody, irritable, and disrespectful. Teens also can become defiant and deceitful and start violating household rules.

Because they often stay glued to their phones, social media can play an outsized part in their development and sometimes creates adjustment and self-esteem issues.

They are slipping away.

Your teen creates a barrier, and you feel you can’t reach them. You see them struggling, you hear them crying, but they refuse to talk to you about it. They shut you out, and you wonder if you failed as a parent.

Help is here!

You don’t have to do this alone because I love working with adolescents. I meet them where they are and establish rapport through respect, kindness, and humor.

Sometimes, I use their language and reference their music. I might even break out in my rap song. Once we establish trust and they know I come from a place of care and concern, they are more willing to address difficulties. Then, I assist them in identifying issues and setting goals for counseling.

They will learn healthy coping, communication, boundary-setting, and anger management skills. I help them identify and express their thoughts and feelings in a healthy manner and improve their self-esteem.

Let’s look at one particular teen.

This teenage girl was brought to me by her parents due to depression, anxiety, and self-injurious behaviors. She was timid and spoke with a very soft voice.

Over time, we did such good work together that her striking improvement had ripple effects throughout the family. She found her voice and learned to express her thoughts and feelings. She became a brighter and more vibrant version of herself; her depression and anxiety symptoms decreased significantly.

Her parents attended our sessions a few times so she could practice her newfound skills in the safety of the therapy session. Citing her success in counseling, she encouraged her parents to do couples counseling, which they did. The entire household is happier, healthier, and more stable.

The whole family benefits from teen therapy.

Relationships between teens and their parents can improve. As a therapist with expertise in working with teens, I can help improve things for everyone.

Let’s get your child the help they need so your household can be happier and healthier. Call me now to set up a free 15-minute consultation call.