Is Your Teen Struggling to Navigate All the Changes in Their Life?
Have they been too stressed out to enjoy themselves? Are they dealing with anxiety, depression, academic issues, and relationship struggles? Although you want to help, does it feel like you can’t get through to them?
TEEN THERAPY
The teenage years are a confusing and hectic time of life. The combination of hormonal changes and developmental shifts can be hard for any teen. They might suffer from mood swings, sleep problems, panic attacks, or even experiment with alcohol or drugs. Their relationship with you has probably changed, too—they no longer rely on you as much or want to talk to you about their problems, and are becoming more and more distant from their family. As a result, you might find yourself considering a therapist for your teenager.
About Teen Therapy
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They have to navigate all the challenges of 24/7 access to technology and exposure to the lives of everyone in their network. The constant exposure to unhealthy beauty standards, other people’s highlight reels, and content from social media influencers can create a pressure cooker for them. When they feel they can’t measure up to what they see online, their self-esteem suffers. They might see others having a good time and worry that they’re missing out.
Naturally, you’ve probably tried all you can to support your teen. But because they want independence, they may be reluctant to tell you what’s going on. This is why teen therapy is so essential. It gives them a safe, neutral space to share whatever is on their mind without fear of how they’ll be seen.
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Teenage depression and anxiety have become the norm in our society today, making the need for teen therapy greater than ever before. In fact, it’s estimated that one in every six children and teens struggle with a mental health disorder. ¹ Unfortunately, many of those same kids don’t get the professional help they need. This makes the journey into adulthood so much harder than it needs to be.
Teens live in a world of unprecedented stress nowadays. Many of them deal with discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation. They also have to navigate peer pressure, academic pressure, and many different technology-related issues. Constant access to screens often leads to addiction and social isolation. And social media creates a comparison culture that leaves them feeling jealous, unworthy, and left out.
¹ Mental Health By the Numbers | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
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A lot of parents feel that they should be able to resolve their teenagers’ issues on their own. The problem is that most teens want some space and distance – they don’t want their parents getting too involved in their lives. This makes it hard for parents to know how to help. It’s a struggle to balance giving teens freedom and supporting them when they’re struggling.
The good news is that you don’t have to try and solve your teen’s issues by yourself. I’m here to take some of the weight off your shoulders and help you and your teen improve your relationship with each other.
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Teenagers can greatly benefit from having a nonjudgmental third party to speak with who is not part of their family or friend circle. That’s part of what therapy provides. My sessions give teens a safe space to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or criticism, explore their identity and sense of self, and work through difficult experiences (such as breakups, bullying, or the loss of a loved one).
I’ll give your teen new skills to manage their stress and lead a happy, fulfilling life. Along the way, I’ll give you new parenting strategies that you can use to support them on their journey into adulthood.
What To Expect In Teen Counseling Sessions
Therapy looks different depending on the age of your teen. Typically, I’ll meet with you first to get your perspective and then mostly meet with your teen alone from that point on. Although sessions with your teen are confidential, I still want to make sure that you’re in the loop regarding treatment. From time to time, you and I can have check-ins to talk about your teen’s progress.
The long-term goals for teen therapy often include developing new coping skills for managing their stress, improving their ability to listen and communicate, and finding ways to deepen their relationships. No matter what your teen struggles with, I want to help them find their voice and live a life that reflects their deepest values and aspirations.
Creating Your Teen’s Counseling Plan
I draw from several therapeutic approaches in my work with adolescents. They include:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—CBT gives teens tools for shifting their thinking. It can help them avoid catastrophizing, magnification, black-and-white thinking, and other cognitive distortions. Changing how they think can positively impact their emotions, behavior, and every area of their life.
• Solution-Focused Therapy—An approach that helps teens identify their strengths and resources, explore what has and hasn’t worked in the past, and create a plan of action for achieving their goals.
• Motivational Interviewing—A form of therapy that helps teens explore and resolve their reluctance to make positive changes. It teaches teens to make decisions based on their deepest values.
All in all, the ultimate goal of therapy is to support your teenager’s emotional, social, and personal growth and equip them with the skills they need to thrive during this time of great change.
You May Have Further Questions And Concerns About Teen Therapy…
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It’s hard to envision your teenager opening up to a total stranger when they might not even talk to you. I have experience working with teens who are reluctant to open up. I will move as slowly as your teen needs to. Counseling often begins by exploring the surface issues and then gets into the deeper work as teens become comfortable.
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Confidentiality is the cornerstone of a successful therapeutic relationship. For your teen to work through their struggles, they need a space where they can share their thoughts and feelings without reservation. That said, there are limits to confidentiality when safety issues arise. If there is an issue that is essential to inform you about, I will always check with your teenager and then share with you.
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Therapy may be a commitment in terms of time and money. However, it’s vital for your child’s development to invest in their mental health early on in life. I always work with clients to accommodate their financial situations. I offer a sliding scale and can give you the option of submitting a superbill to your insurance for reimbursement.
Therapy Can Help Set Your Teen Up For Future Success
By giving your teen the chance to work on their mental health with a professional, you’re setting them up for success as they transition into adulthood. To learn more or schedule a 15 minute phone consultation, you can email me or call me at 914-266-2584.