Adolescence is when a young person begins to develop identity, independence, and a sense of belonging. It is a challenging time, not just for your teen, but for parents and guardians, too.
In adolescent therapy, teens often meet with a counselor without their parents. This provides young people with a safe and secure place to express their emotions freely.
Our trained adolescent therapists help teens develop healthy emotional expression through an understanding of age-related issues, societal/peer pressures, and the physical and biological influences that create difficult behaviors or mental health concerns.
They work collaboratively with teens to build emotional identification/intelligence so they can develop the coping skills and strategies necessary to improve their self-esteem and well-being – in school, online and with social media, in everyday life, when confronted by peer pressure, or when dealing with family matters.
As teens mature physically, so do their emotional and social needs.
This is a critical time in their development, as they begin to form the emotional and social foundations they will need to live healthy, stable and happy lives.
When adolescents don’t have the support they need to fully understand their emotions, their purpose, or difficulties with their peers, that can lead them to do things that hurt their self-esteem and well-being and keep them from reaching their full potential.
Counseling allows your teen to form a therapeutic relationship that is positive and safe. Our therapists will work with your teen to tailor their treatment specifically for them. While talk (traditional) therapy is helpful, we also recognize the benefits of more expressive therapies, such as those that use art or sand trays.
Typically, the family and/or teen identifies concerns and the therapist guides and supports them to problem-solve, gain a deeper understanding of their emotional/behavioral connection, and develop insight and the ability to manage their emotional responses in a healthy and effective manner.
What to look for in your teen
- Sudden decrease in school performance
- Physical aggression
- Bullying other children
- Self-injurious behaviors
- Loss of interest in friends or favorite activities
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden changes in weight
- Excessive worry about weight gain
- Sudden changes in sleep habits
- Avoiding friends and family
- Irritability
- Frequent mood swings
- Frequent anger
- Low energy or motivation
- Defiance with parents and/or teachers
- Changes in hygiene