Tweens & TEENS

As parent(s) of an adolescent, you are getting to experience your child in a whole new way. In one sense, it can be wonderful and exciting to see your teen growing into their own person and developing their identity. Yet, in another vein, at times it can bring feelings of confusion, frustration and helplessness in attempting to help guide your teen through such pivotal years. You may be noticing some changes in your teen –

·         Dropping grades

·         Greater reactivity at home, or with teachers, coaches, or peers

·         Difficulty making friends or establishing healthy relationships

·         Substance use

·         Increased time spent on their phone, gaming, or in their room

·         Increased pressure put on themselves to do well in school or extracurriculars, or to appear a certain way to others

Through all of these changes, it can be difficult to know how to best support and mentor your teen while maintaining connection. On the surface, it can seem as though your teen may be going through their “typical adolescent years”, with changes in hormones, greater access to technology, and desire for more independence.

Although these may be contributing to the changes you see in your adolescent, they may also be signs that your teen is experiencing symptoms of acute or chronic stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar, or other mental health issues. It’s also possible that they may have an underlying learning disability or processing disorder. As parent(s), it may be especially difficult to recognize what your teen may be going through, as teens oftentimes struggle to share for fear of being disciplined or not understood, making it difficult to know how to help.

How I can help

I can assist by offering your teen a warm, safe environment to be able to open up about the parts of their lives that may be difficult for them to speak about at home or with others. I can also be an ally in guiding them toward a greater sense of awareness around their identity, feelings, behaviors, and motivations for change.

At the same time, I will also work with you as parents on a needs basis to help you regain or maintain connection with your teen, teaching you skills for effective communication, and providing education and resources for how to best support them through the process.

In our work together, your adolescent will begin to feel more confident in who they are, and in their ability to navigate difficult emotions and situations that arise. They will also learn the tools to be able to communicate themselves more effectively, allowing them to create healthy boundaries and more secure relationships.

Over time, you will not only begin to see positive changes in your teen, but you will also feel better equipped in tackling challenges head on alongside your teen. Moreover, you will experience a greater sense of hope that comes with knowing that your adolescent feels heard and supported. Let’s get you back to connecting with your teen, and experiencing more of those wonderful and exciting moments in watching them grow.

My Specialties Include:

Anxiety

Depression

Self-Esteem Issues

Peer Relationships