What to expect when your teen is in Therapy

It is difficult as parents when our teens and children are going through things and they won’t open up to us.  Therapy can be a great tool for your teen to open up and uncover who they are and understand themselves better.  It can be scary and overwhelming as parents to send their child or teen to therapy.  Often times my parents are worried that I will think poorly of them or that their teen will just air out all of the families drama.  As a therapist, and a mom to a pre-teen and teenager, I will not advise your child on how to fill or react in certain situations.  I will help them work through their emotions and reactions. 

Therapy is a place for the teen to learn about their reactions and emotions and to process how they feel.  I help them navigate friendships, relationship to parents, how to deal with stress, and how to live a healthier life.  I encourage parents to go to their own therapy so they can learn and experience the therapeutic process. 

Your teen is growing rapidly and their brain is developing quickly.  Therapy can help them feel like they have some control over their lives, when so many times, they don’t have control over much.  Involve your teen in finding the right therapist for themselves and ask them what they would prefer in a therapist.  Have them look at different therapy websites to see what they feel comfortable with.  I am here to work alongside both teens and parents.  While I will not disclose what your teen says in therapy, there will be times I encourage them to speak with you and times we have a joint session. 

Some of the most common reasons teens or their parents seek counseling:

·      Your teen is struggling in school, or maybe their grades are changing

·      They are drinking or using substances

·      They constantly seem angry or irritable

·      They have changed their eating habits

·      They no longer want to go anywhere, especially school

·      They are anxious or depressed

·      They are self-harming

·      They have lost their friend group

·      They aren’t taking care of their basic needs

If any of this sounds familiar please reach out to a counselor.  I will be happy to meet with you or your child/teen to work through a plan for therapy.