“No one around me understands what I’m going through.”
“I don’t know how to talk to my child anymore.”
“I know my child is hurting and I don’t know what to do.”
Adolescents face real-life struggles and concerns daily. The teenage years can be the most difficult stage of development. During this time, teens experience big physical and cognitive shifts. They are expected to endure and cope with hormonal changes, puberty, parental and social forces, work and school pressures, and influences from the internet and social media. Increased demands to perform and compete with friends and internet personalities may also lead to unwanted stress, pain, and fear. It is vital that teens feel heard, seen and validated in their feelings and thoughts, because their struggles are a very real part of their lives.
Whether you are a teen or the parent or guardian of a teen, there is hope. If you are a teen, you have the potential to learn skills which will help you set boundaries, advocate for yourself, increase your self-esteem, and communicate with others.
Parents may learn to identify with teens, read their cues and cries for help, and find new and innovative ways to connect with their children leading to more trusting and open communication.
Common problems that teenagers face are generally related to:
Anxiety
Bullying (Cyber and in-person)
Cyber addiction
Depression
Drinking, smoking, and drug usage
Defiant behaviors
Eating disorders
Fear of failure
Loneliness and isolation
Peer pressure/competition
Perfectionism/pressure to perform
Self-esteem/body image
Self-harm/suicidal ideation
Stress
Underage sex/pressure to sexualize themselves
To see if one of our clinicians is a good fit, you can email, call/text us, or fill out this form to schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation.