Adolescent Therapy

From bliss, to complicated, to just plain ROUGH…

For them, time has been moving like a snail. For you, it’s been a blink, and BOOM… they’re adults.

From the moment they were born, they were blessings. They were perfect and could do no wrong. Each moment was so precious, and every milestone was documented.

One day, they were suddenly acting out, talking back, and isolating. The child you knew and loved is now different. You cycle back and forth and think, “Is it me? Did I do something?” or “Maybe they’re going through something.”

No matter how much you try to mend this bond that seemed unbreakable, you fall short. This relationship takes up your emotional energy and has become more of a chore than a joy. Physically, you’re walking on eggshells and tired of walking to their room and asking them to join you for dinner. You don’t want to provoke them.

Social events are an automatic no because your peers would question you with “What is wrong with them?” or “Do they always talk to you like that?” You want your child to be seen in the best light, but you just can’t grasp what is happening. To protect that, you stay home, and these thoughts run rampant. It has taken your sanity. It isn’t just a phase…

You’ve realized you have lost family harmony, and closeness with your child seems to be a thing of the past. You’ve Googled, called your mom friends, and maybe even called your mom; nothing works. You know that you have one final option…the “T” word.

You’re always at odds with each other. You say “left,” and they say “right.” You want to watch a movie as a family, and they want to go out with friends. You plan a taco night, and they want sushi. You all have a conversation and leave with two different versions of it. It’s a never-ending process.

Being a young adult is HARD these days.

Your child is becoming their own person. That’s difficult for anyone, but it’s particularly tough for pre-teens and teens in today’s society.

Physical changes, hormones, friends, crushes, hobbies, family issues… the list goes on and on!

And now, being on social media is a way of life. Posting and reacting to celebrities they follow and each other is how they connect. That’s fine, but it can leave them struggling for guidance on improving their REAL life. And “the comparison game” can send your child into an emotional whirlwind.

I know you feel it, too, as you juggle SO MUCH to provide for your child.

This is a hard time for everyone.

Therapy is particularly important at this stage of life.

Therapy is important at this age to assist in navigating through changes, learning how to communicate, asking for needs, setting boundaries, and much more.

Teens are going through a lot hormonally, educationally, and socially. They are trying to change and adapt under your unchanging roof. It is difficult to break from the norm without ruffling feathers.

The long-term risks for pre-teens and teens who need therapy but don’t get it are lengthy: feeling misunderstood, worsened family dynamics, poor relationships, lack of empathy, high stress, lack of boundaries, inability to express thoughts, repressed emotions, and much more. The heavy ones are increased risk of drug use, suicide, and psychiatric issues later in life requiring hospitalization. Seek care before it is too late.

If your child refuses therapy, don’t despair. You still have several options about how to get help. Seek counseling on your own without your child. Often, parent training can be one of the most effective ways to help your child. Whether your child is struggling with behavioral or mental health problems, a therapist can help you identify strategies to help your child.

If you want to see positive change in your child…

Therapy is the answer. This is a space for them to create a genuine connection with a cool therapist who gets it.

Sometimes pre-teens and teens need an outside person to hear them out without judgment – someone who can help them process all that life throws at them. They might want to discuss the “DM” they got last night, the new TikTok dance they’re learning, or that text they got from their crush.

They’ll know that this time is THEIRS. They run the world in our sessions. Here, they can talk about school drama, family issues, the mean people in their life, or how their relationships are going. I want to help them with all of it!

Giving young folks a safe place to speak openly about their day-to-day lives and receive guidance from a caring professional will make them feel confident in their skin. I’ll help them through the tough times and give them the skills to survive the next experience.

Therapy is where your child will discover their inner voice, learn to set boundaries, and thrive!

Here’s how you can help…

For starters, parental involvement is sticky. For young children, parental consent is needed for them to start therapy. There will be a much more “hands-on” approach in the beginning stages from the parent.

You would be filling out their forms and needs for therapy and would assist in the first session. However, session details will remain confidential unless it is deemed necessary to divulge information to the parent.

If your child would like you present, that is their right – and it will be honored. For older children (12+), the involvement is important for the first session, but it ends there unless you are on the teen’s emergency contact form or they’ve requested that you join them in sessions.

The biggest thing for parents is to emotionally create space for them to explore and be sure not to speak for them if you join sessions.

Give this gift to your child…

They’re living in a world where they want and need to be social. But it’s hard… and going it alone isn’t easy either.

They need a safe haven and peace of mind. That’s what therapy is for.

And you’ll see positive changes in their behavior, attitude, self-confidence, and overall well-being.

If you would like to introduce me to your young adult, they can follow me on Instagram @asyouaretherapy.

Your child deserves it all. Now, you can make that happen.

Reach out today: (615) 437-7191. Let’s talk more during your free consultation.