Teen Counseling
Has Your Teenager Been Feeling Down Lately?
- Is your teen dealing with depression, anxiety, or anger management issues?
- Are they reluctant to talk to you despite your efforts to communicate?
- Do they seem distant or disconnected, often spending time alone?
- Is low self-esteem or a lack of self-confidence holding them back?
- Do they feel like no one truly understands them and the challenges they face?
When teens are struggling, it’s common for them to withdraw and distance themselves from parents and siblings. Their academic performance may deteriorate and social events may no longer interest them. They may become more self-destructive, indulging in risky behaviors, self-harming, or self-medicating with alcohol or drugs.
As a result, you may find yourself increasingly worried about your teen, trying to set limits and boundaries on what they can do. But it’s important to remember that teens are at an age where they crave independence. Although some limits and boundaries may be helpful, building a healthy relationship with your teen means developing trust and allowing them to have their own autonomy. Here at The Davis Group, we want to help your teen break down barriers of self-doubt and freely embrace their true self. Additionally, we want to help you and your teen establish a supportive, compassionate relationship.
Many Teens Feel Like They Have No One To Turn To
The teenage years are no cakewalk. In addition to hormonal and emotional changes, teens face a bevy of social pressures that they never had to deal with before. Going into high school, many of them are under increasing pressure to fit in, be popular, and have their lives together. Additionally, they are expected to get good grades, know what college they’re going to, and have a plan for what they want to do in life.
On top of all these stressors, teens often feel like they have no one to turn to when the going gets tough. Teens live in a world where there is increasing awareness around mental health, but since older generations grew up in a world where therapy was not as normalized, parents might be reluctant to send their teens to therapy. They may accidentally minimize what a teen is going through by saying, “What do you have to be stressed about?” or, “When I was your age, I went through the same thing.”
Because of this generational disconnect, many kids are scared to ask their parents for help or discuss therapy with them. On the flip side, many parents are afraid to send their children to counseling. They fear that their parenting style will be criticized and the therapist will blame them for their kid’s issues.
Thankfully, this is not the case here at The Davis Group. Our focus is not on pointing fingers but on helping your teenager gain the self-awareness, skills, and confidence needed to overcome their challenges both now and in the future.
Counseling Can Help Your Teen Boost Self-Esteem, Reduce Stress, And Improve Their Relationships
Your teenager may feel like they don’t need therapy—they can just talk to friends and family when they’re in need. However, as long as there are emotions involved, it’s nearly impossible for friends and family to remain neutral. That’s why teenage therapy is so important. Your teen will have a safe space to share their feelings with a therapist who is both unbiased and deeply compassionate. Therapy is a chance for them to reduce stress, improve their self-esteem, and enjoy healthier relationships.
Although there is some intake paperwork for you both to fill out at the beginning, all of our sessions will be one-on-one with your teenager. While we want you to be invested in the healing process, it’s important to respect your teen’s boundaries and need for privacy. After all, it is only by giving your teen a private space to work through their issues that they will feel comfortable opening up. That said, there are limits to this privacy—you have a right to know if there are safety issues concerning your teen. We would notify you immediately if that was the case.
First and foremost, the most important aspect of counseling is forming a connection with your teen. Sometimes it takes a while for kids to open up, and that’s okay. If your teen is on the shy side, they are more than welcome to express themselves through art, games, and whatever their hobbies and interests are. We want to meet them on their own terms, and oftentimes, that means making what they love part of the healing process.
In sessions together, your teen will learn to identify their stressors, communicate their needs, and set healthier boundaries. If they are having trouble asking for help, we will teach them to articulate their thoughts in a way that prevents misunderstanding. And if they are dealing with bullying from their peers, we will show them how to deescalate and non-violently stand up for themselves.
Along the way, we want to help you be someone your teenager can turn to in times of distress. While boundaries can help teens, it’s important to remember that setting too many boundaries for your teen can turn them away and make them withdraw from you. It’s not until they feel heard and understood that they’ll be ready to open up and change their behavior. We want to help you bring safety, comfort and validation into your teen’s life.
Most of the time, teens deal with anger, depression, and other mental health issues because they feel that they lack support. Here at The Davis Group, we want your teenager to know that they are not alone. With us, they will have a safe space to explore themselves on a deeper level and learn practical skills for regulating their emotions and assuming control of their life.
You may have some questions about teen counseling…
Will I know everything my teen talks about in therapy?
In the absence of privacy, most teenagers will not open up. So if you want your teen to be able to work through their issues honestly and directly, it’s essential for them to know that no one is going to share their information outside of counseling. During the intake process, we will discuss our privacy policies with both you and your teen so that there is no confusion going forward.
What if my teen doesn’t want to go to counseling?
As a practice, we can say with assurance that most teens enjoy their time here. They are given space to be themselves and the freedom to incorporate their passions and interests into the healing process. We are not here to lecture them or tell them what they’re doing wrong—we are here to empower them to embrace who they are and live with confidence in their own shoes. At the same time, therapy works best when it is voluntary—no one can make your teen go to counseling. But as long as they are willing to try it out, there is no limit to what they can achieve.
How do I know if my teen needs counseling?
Sometimes, it’s hard to know if your teenager’s behavior is part of the normal ups and downs of life or the result of something more serious. Signs of depression in your teen may come in the form of angry outbursts, withdrawal from friends and family, disinterest in fun activities, lack of motivation, or decreased school performance. If they’re dealing with anxiety, they may suffer from panic attacks, nightmares, or trouble concentrating. Regardless of their symptoms, however, it’s important to be proactive. Your teen doesn’t need to have “serious” issues to benefit from therapy and experience growth and healing.
