Teen Therapy
The adolescent years can present significant challenges for both teenagers and their parents. This particular phase is marked by constant growth and transformation, as teenagers strive to find their place in the world, bridging the gap between childhood and adulthood. At the same time, their bodies are undergoing rapid changes reminiscent of their infancy. The natural rhythms of their internal clocks make it difficult to establish regular sleep patterns. Their emotions can feel unpredictable and overwhelming, as they grapple with the rollercoaster of hormonal fluctuations. Furthermore, their brains are still in the process of developing, adding another layer of complexity to their experiences. It’s common for teens to experience anxiety and depression during this period.
As adolescents navigate their journey of growing up, an important aspect entails forging their own individuality, distinct from the figures who provided them security and comfort during their formative years—their parents. At the core of this transformative process lies a fundamental requirement for teenagers to detach from their parents, broaden their circle of social support, unearth the flames that ignite their innermost passions, and unravel the intricate tapestry of their own unique identity.
Adolescence is a crucial period for teenagers to develop the skills of recognizing the messages behind their emotions, managing those emotions, and cultivating self-confidence in their feelings. These abilities are essential for navigating a path towards a successful and fulfilling adulthood. While teenagers still rely on their parents, the nature of their relationship evolves and changes.
Navigating through the whirlwind of pressure and constant change during adolescence can feel overwhelming. It’s not uncommon for teenagers to experience self-consciousness and social anxiety, along with the daunting task of deciding their future and finding their place among friends. The weight of these challenges often leads to feelings of depression, which in turn may trigger behaviors like withdrawing from social interactions and isolating oneself. It’s important to be aware of signs that show therapy could be beneficial for your teen, such as: increased irritability and expressions of anger, defiance of home, school, or with community rules, and disrespectful behaviors, persistent worry, anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, or difficulty making decisions, a sudden, unexplained drop in grades or in school performance, changes in eating or sleeping patterns or ongoing nightmares, isolating and avoidant behaviors, such as playing video games for hours, spending large amounts of time alone, procrastination, or excessive sleeping, ongoing relationship difficulties or changes in friends, impulsive behaviors, such as alcohol or drug use, promiscuity, or binge eating, suicidal thoughts, thoughts of revenge, or self-harming behaviors, such as cutting, preventing wounds from healing, or unhealthy eating patterns.
As they strive to establish their own identity separate from their parents, they often require a non-biased companion to embark on this exploratory journey. I am here to lend a guiding hand, enabling them to comprehend these changes and develop effective coping mechanisms along the way.
“The needs of children during adolescence are particular and acute. They need an opportunity to develop a sense of identity and to maintain the sense of security that emanates from group acceptance.”
– Elliot W. Eisner
Increased irritability and expressions of anger
Defiance of home, school, or with community rules, and disrespectful behaviors
Persistent worry, anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, or difficulty making decisions
A sudden, unexplained drop in grades or in school performance
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns or ongoing nightmares
Isolating and avoidant behaviors, such as playing video games for hours, spending large amounts of time alone, procrastination, or excessive sleeping
Ongoing relationship difficulties or changes in friends
Impulsive behaviors, such as alcohol or drug use, promiscuity, or binge eating
Suicidal thoughts, thoughts of revenge, or self-harming behaviors, such as cutting, preventing wounds from healing, or unhealthy eating patterns