Why Teen Therapy?

ADOLESCENTS FACE A LOT OF STRUGGLES:

To name a few examples, teenagers are challenged with social awkwardness, family problems, choosing a path after high school, and starting to have adult emotions. They often still lack the tools to effectively manage these challenges.

TEENS HAVE A LOT TO DEAL WITH THESE DAYS:

There is pressure at school. A large number of teens come from divorced homes. They face peer influence to try sex and drugs. Teenagers also struggle with issues in friendships and dating relationships. It is hard for a teenager to regulate their emotional reactions to these challenges, which is where counseling is helpful.

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS:

Sometimes these issues can lead to behaviors that frighten a parent. Teens might express irritability. They might feel lonely, or anxious. They may become angry or even rageful. It is possible to see a drop in grades. It is not unusual for these emotions to escalate into more severe problems such as cutting and self-injury, drug or alcohol experimentation, or promiscuity.

If you notice your teen struggling, you might be feeling helpless, hopeless, frustrated or concerned as a parent. Try to remember, there is hope.

Contact me today. 410-541-6686

For teen girls struggling with:

- depression

- anxiety

- impulsivity

- self-harm

- suicidal thoughts

- anger/aggression

- unhealthy relationships

Our teen girls live in a complicated, contradictory, and media-saturated world, and the roads they must navigate extend beyond the changes of their physical bodies. Some of these roads include: discovering a unique identity, taking on more and more aspects of adulthood while leaving aspects of childhood behind, and developing independence while maintaining healthy family bonds.

It’s not uncommon to run into teen girls who have not yet discovered what they’re good at or what’s important to them. Girls often need help recognizing their own skills and strengths, identifying the influences that are shaping them, and learning to make values-guided decisions. Developing that core-self is not an overnight process, it takes time to uncover what makes you unique, what your gifts are, how to respect and learn from your emotions, and what you want to stand for in this world. Counseling offers a protected space for those conversations to take place.

COMMON STRESSORS IN TEEN GIRLS:

Anger

Self-injury

Anxiety (school, social, OCD & generalized)

Body Image issues

Depression (may present differently in teens-please see article below)

Eating Disorders

Jealousy & Fears

Loss & Grief

Low Self-Esteem

Academic challenges

BENEFITS OF TEEN COUNSELING:

Closer relationships with friends and family

Feeling more comfortable with the way they look

Feeling more creative and joyful

More confidence and self assurance

Uncovering strengths and using them in rough times

Discovering academic strengths and how to use them sucessfully

AS A PARENT LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING TELL SIGNS IN YOUR TEENAGER IF YOU SUSPECT THEY BE GOING THROUGH A TOUGH EMOTIONAL TIME:

Being the victim of bullying

Social skills

Not "fitting in"

Difficulty making or keeping friends

Shyness

Self esteem and self confidence

Poor grades

Excessive worry or anxiety

A sudden change of friends or mood

Risky sexual behaviors

Feelings or thoughts of suicide

Developing an illness or disability

Using drugs, alcohol or illegal substances

Tragic events in the community or the world

Changes in mood, weight, appetite, friends, etc

Problems at school – academically or behaviorally

Violent or illegal behaviors – fighting, stealing, drug possession, etc.

Changes in family life - moving, divorce, death or serious illness of a family member

The loss of a close friend, girlfriend/boyfriend through death, a breakup, or moving

Oppositional and defiant behaviors

Frequent temper tantrums or rages

Persistent nightmares

Self injury, such as cutting

Aggressive behaviors

Unhealthy dating relationships

Rapid weight gain or loss

Sleeping too little or too much

Social withdrawal

Lack of interest in activities they used to like

Angry or emotional outbursts

Call today 410-541-6686