Teen Counseling
Parents and teens alike can be relieved to find helpful teen counseling. Adolescents go through physical and emotional changes as they move from childhood into young adulthood. It is a time of transition for the teenager who may be experiencing internal and external changes. Decisions that a teenager might make during this time of rapid growth can have a lasting impact. Therapy provides a safe place for a teen to work towards a better understanding of who they are and what kinds of choices they are making in their life.
Therapy for teenagers is recommended when:
- Their mood is a concern to family and friends
- They are distant and withdrawn
- They are too easily influenced by peers in a negative way
- Grades are falling and/or not meeting expectations
- Alcohol or drug abuse is suspected
- Conflicts become more disruptive and volatile than desired
Communication becomes more challenging as teens develop their own point of view. A teen may have an easier time opening up to someone other than a parent. Working one-on-one with a therapist can provide a teenager with the opportunity to realize their own unique potential and give them a structure for exploring healthier, more positive choices.
Some of the benefits of therapy include:
- Realizing that change is possible regardless of what the problems are
- Recognizing that taking on more responsibility in life leads to more freedom
- Defining and accepting oneself in order to become more assertive
- Improving relationships with peers, friends, and family
- Feeling hopeful for a more positive future
Talk with your counselor about the importance of privacy when counseling teens as well as the limits imposed to keep people safe.Adolescents can benefit from having a safe place to talk with their therapist about their experiences and feelings, without fear that their parents will find out and judge or punish them. Teens need space to find their way into their own identity and adulthood. At the same time, counselors inform parents or other safety professionals if there is a physical danger to someone. More often, counselors try to coach their adolescent clients to speak with their parents about difficult issues when appropriate.
Therapy during adolescence can be a very rewarding investment in a developing mind that potentially leads to a better future for the young adult.
