Teen Therapy
Discover your harmony
Teen therapy
Your teen isn’t the only one
You’ve tried being kinder and you’ve tried being more strict. You’ve read parenting books and blogs. You’ve tried to connect with your teen but every time you do, they shut you down and isolate themselves even further from you. Life was easier when your child’s emotions were written all over their face when they were little, but as they’ve grown older, you’re not sure what’s going on. Your teen might be withdrawn, constantly stressed, or struggling to connect with their peers. As a result, your teen feels distant from you and not like the same happy kid who you used to push on the swingset. Life has gotten more complicated.
Common reasons teens work with a therapist include:
Anxiety
Depression
Behavioral issues at school
Mood disorders
Stress
Social isolation and social issues
Low self-esteem
Trauma & grief
Substance abuse
Self harm
1 in 5 teens seeks therapy for a mental health issue, so you’re not the only parent worried about your child. It doesn’t have to be a big thing that’s upsetting your teen, although a parent divorce, a death in the family, or stress from school are a few reasons families seek therapy for their teen. Everyday life for today’s teenagers is complicated, stressful, and demanding. School can feel like a full time job that never stops. Their social lives are complicated by social media and constant connectivity. Connecting with a therapist for teens will help your teen develop a better sense of self and a better idea of how to move forward.
How therapy will help your teen
It all starts with what your teen believes about themselves. There are many voices telling them who they are: classmates, teachers, teammates, bullies, principals, friends, friends’ parents, and you, not to mention what they read and watch online. Your teen develops an identity from all of these outside influences as well as what they believe about themselves. Their idea of themselves may have become twisted and unhealthy, leading to the behaviors and emotions that trouble you.
When your teen begins therapy, their therapist will help them establish any false and negative self beliefs they have and how these thoughts and feelings are triggered. Negative patterns and beliefs will be noted. The therapy sessions then focus on how your teen can restructure their thinking to break free from low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. They’ll create new patterns of thoughts to substitute the negative ones.
Your teen will feel confident in who they are and relate better with others. They’ll better understand their interactions with their peers and be able to navigate the negative thoughts that rise up naturally. Are you ready for your teen to get started with counseling?
Counselors you might want to check out….