Teenager Therapy

Teenager Therapy

Teens face their own set of challenges.

As a teenager, you may feel untouchable, fearless, know it all, lost, confused, and insecure. These feelings vary with the situation.

There is a lot of noise in your head, including the need to make fast decisions, peer pressure, feeling misunderstood, and not always belonging.

At times, you may feel connected mostly to your peers or disconnected from them. Your life is a seesaw with ups and downs, as well as changes both physically and emotionally.

Sometimes, you try things not because you want to but rather because you feel you should, possibly as a result of outside influences.

Often, your family is annoying, and all you want to do is be with your friends or stay in your room.

Yes, the teenage years can be challenging and confusing. However, what we mostly hear is that the teenagers themselves are challenging. Maybe… at times, but aren’t we all?

Parenting teens presents its own set of challenges.

Many parents find themselves asking, “What has happened to my young child that suddenly doesn’t want to snuggle or doesn’t smile much?”

Parents find themselves challenged to find a way to communicate with their teenagers and often feel unheard.

As a parent and former teenager, you know, “This kid of mine is becoming a teenager, and this life’s transition can be challenging.”

You find yourself worrying more, repeating yourself over-and-over, and being ignored at times.

Teens need boundaries.

Part of being a teenager is to push beyond boundaries, whether it be hanging out more with friends or trying new things.

The teen years are the time when young people start building their own identity, and part of the process is exploring who they are – not who their parents necessarily want them to be.

However, when does your teenager’s behavior become too risky?

When do you truly know that your teenager needs support? Or when do you, as the teen, feel the need to have someone with whom you can talk and receive the tools that can help you navigate this stage of your life?

Answers to these questions require a better understanding of the teenage mind, which is full of challenges, yet beauty, as they contemplate their future.

Times have changed for teenagers.

Teenagers have always faced challenges, but in today’s world, the difficulties they deal with are more complicated.

Their world is one of accessibility, allowing them to be both seen and contacted by others. Such connectivity has its benefits but also introduces many negatives.

Kids and teens are suffering from constant bullying over social media, putting lots of their time in who gets more “likes” and comparing themselves to their peers. Most of the time, these comparisons make them feel not good enough.

Those were always common feelings at this age, but now they have been increased.

Therapy allows for exploration of the teenage years.

There is beauty in the mind of a teenager.

Being a teenager is a time of growth. Because some teenagers can be fragile, they may need support and a professional guide.

I love working with teenagers because they provide me a vision of how deep they are and not just how complex their lives may have become.

As a therapist working with teenagers, I have come to realize that they see more than they tend to share with others. Finding a way to voice what they need within their circumstances is challenging.

They are not just “challenging.” They are so much more.

Reasons for teenage therapy vary.

Teenagers sometimes work with me out of parental concern. At other times, teens request therapy for themselves.

In both situations, my goal is to help them feel safe and provide support and the time needed to address the problems.

Therapy allows for openness and communication.

Adults may think that teens don’t say much or have much to say. I have learned, however, that they have plenty to say once they experience the time and safety to say what is on their minds.

Teenagers may appear self-centered – and at times they are – but this is not an accurate depiction. Adults may be surprised to learn that some teenagers are fully aware of their families and surroundings.

Parents need to remember that teenagers usually spend more time with their friends or by themselves than they do with their family. That is a natural thing. At times, this can result in a lack of communication with their parents and others.

When a teenager starts to feel safe in the therapeutic relationship, they open-up, share, and, in some cases, they are more sensitive and aware than how they appear to their parents.

Therefore, one of my goals is to help teenagers communicate better with their family and friends, as the process of communication and openness occurs.

Therapy is about building trust and honesty.

Teenagers, in your therapy sessions, you will have a safe space to share your life experiences, challenges, pain, fears, struggles, dreams, goals, and get the support you deserve – and the healing and tools that you need.

You may wonder if all that you share with me will be shared with your caregiver or parents. The answer is ‘No’ because not all that you share is something I need to share with others.

Each client and their circumstances are different. For example, putting your health and your life at risk may need to be shared to keep you safe. However, if something needs to be shared, we will discuss it beforehand.

I will keep our communication open, as you are my client, and you are deserving of your privacy.

Lessen the challenges during these teenage years.

Teenagers, therapy can help you meet challenges during this transition. As such, you should not let shame or fear keep you from getting the help that you need. You can feel better, function better, and feel safe and healthy. Holding it all in usually ends up hurting you.

Parents, if you feel that your teenager would benefit from professional help, reach out to get the support for your teen and yourself.

There is no reason for either teenagers or parents to go it alone. I am willing to be your guide as both of you navigate these teenage years and their many challenges.

All that’s required is to show up and start the communication as we work together.