Individual Therapy for Teens

Teenage Behavior – Normal or Not?

The transition from teenager to adult involves many ups and downs, and this causes parents to raise questions about how to deal with this transition.

Should we be worried that our teen’s behaviors and interests have changed?

Is this behavior normal or does it require some type of intervention? What can I do to help?

Do the challenges that my teen have require counseling?

Gaining Perspective

Parent often seek help for their teen wondering if other teens struggle with the same issues.

What we know is that the teen years can be tumultuous and full of change.

As the adults in the lives of teens, we should expect a certain level of change, because transitioning from a child to an adult is part of the process. There is help available!

How will therapy help?

Therapy can help address many common concerns including: bullying; difficulty managing stress (often leading to self-injury); difficulty with relationships (parents, siblings, friends); inability to handle conflict; low self-esteem/lack of confidence; self-doubt/concerns about self-image; and social skills coaching.

Therapy Sessions

What can you expect in a session?

Therapy is about so much more than just giving teens a place to vent and someone to listen to them.

My approach to counseling is strengths-based and solution-focused. From the very beginning, we look at things that are working, fulfilling, and showcasing strength.

With every teen client, I emphasize four core areas.

Discover (or Uncover) Their Strengths

We identify the things that create peace and demonstrate previous positive successes in challenges that were overcome in the past.

Encourage Self-Reflection

I help teens look inward and be honest about what they value and what their priorities are.

Through self-reflection exercises, teens learn to identify unhealthy thoughts and untrue core beliefs. Then they learn to create a reality that allows them to be confident in who they are and strong in articulating their own beliefs.

Visualizing How Things Can Be Different

From a young age, we learn to dream big and set high goals/aspirations for ourselves. But somewhere along the way, big dreams are put aside and settling happens.

Whether it’s approaching life in high school/college, coping with daily stressors, improving relationships, or creating a plan for their life, I work with teens to focus on the life they wish to have by working on strategies for making those dreams become a reality.

Empower Them to Make Changes

Once teens can imagine a life they want to live or can identify strengths they did not know they had, they need to be supported through the next stage of the process.

Whether that is applying for a job/school, deciding to accept an opportunity they would not have imagined before, having difficult conversations with others, or dealing with a bully, teens need to have a springboard of support and non-judgmental listening to transition to what is next for them.

Helping with the Transition

Let me answer your questions and help your teen gain a smoother transition to adulthood.

Please call me today (609) 200-5878!