Adolescent Therapy

Who is this grown-up CHILD?

You’ve watched them develop through every phase of childhood.

You’ve hoped that they’ve internalized your messages—that you’ve instilled in them good values.

But now that they’re a teenager, you feel lost… THEY feel lost.

Where are they going… and how will they get there?

You’re both pushing for more responsibility, independence, and freedom.

But, naturally, you want to protect them while you still can. After all, the consequences are so much greater now that they’re teens.

You worry about the kinds of friends they’re keeping, whether they’re experimenting with substances, how they can date responsibly, their grades, and college. And now that they’re driving to and from work, you’re worried about that, too.

You want them to have goals, figure out what path they are on, and make the right choices to succeed in life.

But there’s a new attitude in the house!

Everything is a power struggle or argument.

You try to balance freedom and structure (You have to have rules, right?), but your teen isn’t having it!

They don’t believe your stories about living with the negative consequences of bad choices.

They don’t believe you know what’s best for them.

They just don’t believe you… PERIOD.

Your teen wants freedom and independence.

Of course, they do! They feel they’re entitled to it—that they’ve earned it.

They believe that having a bad apple in a friend group really isn’t that bad…

… and that experimenting with a few substances doesn’t make you an addict.

Your teen is trying to figure out who they are. They have questions about themselves: values, faith, who they are outside of their family, who they want to be in the future, what they want from life, and the purpose of it all!

But as their parent, you think you already know who they “should” be: the student, the employee, the significant other, the brother/sister, the teammate… the list goes on and on.

It’s no wonder you’re in conflict with each other!

But maybe you have that “perfect” teen…

They’ve never been in “big” trouble, always gotten good grades (even in Honors and AP courses), and are in at least one club and sport!

They seem like they have it all together.

On the outside, peers envy them, and you probably praise them for every accomplishment.

But on the inside, they’re screaming!

There’s so much pressure… so many expectations… such a desire to make everyone happy.

You might notice that they seem anxious, always focusing on what needs to get done. They begin to withdraw and don’t want to participate in the same activities anymore. Perhaps you learn your teen is self-harming. You don’t understand…. everything was going “perfect.” What could the problem be?

Your heart is broken. You’re scared for them, but you don’t know what to do.

They probably WANT to talk to you…

But these topics aren’t easy to talk about with anyone—especially with someone who might judge or punish them.

And some probably fear an explosion or lockdown if they open up.

Even if you’ve told them they can come to you with anything (and mean it!), it’s hard for them.

It’s often easier for them to open up to a professional.

Their future is not yet sealed. You can change the trajectory now!

No matter how your teenager might be struggling, hope is not lost!

Therapy is a safe place where they can explore who they are, ask difficult questions, and share their inner thoughts and feeling without feeling judged. This is what I provide for every teen that comes to my office.

Building their trust is my top priority, so our first session will involve you and your teen. When we first meet, I want them to be there so that we can all be on the same page (and they’ll know we haven’t talked behind their back!). They’ll share their struggles and goals. I don’t force them to answer any questions they’re not ready to discuss. We are strangers, after all. I’ll also ask for your parental perspective on how your child has presented their concerns.

I ask my teen clients to sign a separate confidentiality agreement, and I ask parents to respect their privacy in therapy. I will always provide general updates as requested, but I will not reveal any details disclosed in session. Many parents happily agree to this because they want their teen to have someone to guide them.

But I make it clear to my teen clients that there are exceptions to every rule. If they tell me they’re having thoughts (or actions) of hurting themselves or others… or if they tell me anything else that makes me concerned for their safety, they will know that you’ll be informed of those details.

Is it hard to imagine your teen actually TALKING in therapy?

It probably is. Many parents think that their teen won’t benefit from therapy because they’ll never open up to anyone about their life! But just as all humans are made differently, so has your teen.

Some teens are defiant and only come to sessions because their parents dragged them there.

Other teens are hesitant… but also feel the pull to finally let it all out.

Still, other teens are so ready for help that they dive right in!

So… do they actually talk?

Well, yes… sometimes. However, teenagers are still young at heart. If you give them some crafts, an art project, Legos, or a game, they’ll usually get cozy and participate. We will build trust and mutual understanding through these activities.

And sometimes, YES, we just talk!

Let’s open a door for change that will last a lifetime.

I’ll be honest: When I was working on my master’s degree, I was terrified of teens!! They can be so judgmental, untrusting, defiant, and rude (I could name a few more). But then I worked with a GROUP of girls at a long-term psychiatric facility. That’s when I learned teenagers aren’t as scary as I thought. In fact, I think I had a knack for working with them… and they liked me, too.

Teenagers amaze me with their creativity, talent, and insight. They are so close to being a responsible adult, yet they still have an inner child with its own needs. Exploring these opposites is confusing and frustrating, but it can also be life-changing.

I find teenagers relate best when their parent includes them in the search for a therapist. So, show them my website. Let them explore and decide for themselves who they feel is the best fit. It may not be me, but they will have had a say.

Navigating this search can be daunting, so I offer a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your questions and concerns… and ensure I will be a good fit to work with your teen.

Let’s help your teen grow and flourish as they move into adult life. Give me a call: (770) 371-2332.