Teen Therapy
Being a teen today is so hard… and so is living with one!
Today teens are living in a fishbowl – all eyes on them all the time.
Social media provides a constant comparison tool which wreaks havoc on their self-esteem and confidence.
And because they struggle with it – they “toss” their problems to you. Parents struggle with knowing what to do, when to help, when to let them figure this out on their own.
Helping teens get to a good place…
I help teens find their own unique and authentic voices, so they can find and support their moral compass.
I work with teens to identify what they are good at, so they can really internalize and own these qualities.
When teens can see and feel their unique strength, they have an opportunity to build confidence, self-esteem and self-trust, which can help guide them through the minefield of those dreaded “teen years.”
That’s what we want from our kids, right? To make good choices, not to limit themselves, and to act in a way that represents their morals and values.
Understanding the value of good therapy…
Often the families I work with get frustrated because I am saying the same things they have said at home. The difference is… I am not their parent (plus I’m a licensed clinician).
The point is… therapy with teens works on the basis that I am not part of their daily life. I have no skin in the game other than wanting them to be happy and successful human beings.
There is so much power in finding support outside of the home, especially with what I am seeing lately among teens: so much anxiety despite fantastic parental love and guidance.
The way in which teens today internalize their negative emotions, doubts, criticisms, and judgments is often no match for positive parental encouragement.
That is where therapy comes in. I help teens see their distorted thinking, how unreliable their thoughts are, and the cost of their anxiety.
Leveraging the power of family…
I come from a holistic practice background, so I place a huge emphasis on the power of the family system. Accordingly, I engage in weekly update calls with one designated family member.
This is important not only to update on progress, but to also gain crucial support regarding what we are working on in session. I only get one session a week with my client, but families get hours together.
These weekly calls also give me a chance to support parents, as their teens work through their stuff in a way that creates more space for my clients, rather than burdening them further or making them feel like the “identified problem.”
Taking action at a pivotal moment…
My desire to work with teens has stemmed out of my experience working with adults, and all the times I’ve heard how they would love to go back to their younger selves when they could have changed things… and could have gotten them on a different path.
The truth is… those paths take different routes. Some teens make it through okay, while others struggle endlessly with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma, isolation… to name a few.
Let me partner with you to help your teen at this pivotal time in his or her life. Give me a call today for your free consultation: (949) 514-8690