TEEN THERAPY

The transition from a child into a pre-teen, into a teenager is full of experience! As a child we are dependent on parents/adult caregivers for many survival needs. Teens however are exercising new abilities and independence, which require less dependence on their parents and places more emphasis on peer influence. There are significant changes happening in the adolescent brain which ultimately supports them in their next transition into adulthood.

As there are many changes happening, while exciting for both the teen and parent, it can also be difficult and scary. Teens naturally pull away from their family as they exercise independence which means they may not want to talk with their parents about personal experiences. Thus having a positive adult role model can be crucial during this time to guide your teenager into the best version of them self. Having a better understanding of the changes in the teen brain and the developmental needs of this age can shift the parent-child relationship into a much more positive experience.

Therapy can support many of the new experiences teens face such as:

• Puberty/Healthy relationship with their body
• Sexual Identity
• Romantic relationships
• Healthy Friendships
• Peer Pressure/Bullying
• Self Esteem/Confidence
• Organization, Planning, Decision making
• Mindful BEing
• Emotion and Thought Regulation
• Identifying potential Career/Passions
• Interconnection to community, nature, and beyond.

The teenage years don’t have to be terrifying for anyone. As a teen, exploring who you are and who you want to be can really be..dare I say.. a fun process! While being a teenager has many fun aspects, there are also many pressures and expectations which can turn into stress if not managed. Having a safe, accepting, professional to talk to is extremely helpful. Not only will we talk, but you will learn and practice new skills to support YOU! This learning will be done through a variety of therapeutic activities.

As a parent can you imagine what it would be like to fully embrace this time and support your teen questioning the status quo and developing their own unique identity? Can you picture deep conversations and navigating through difficult emotions with compassion and grace? It is possible and often takes unlearning old ways of relating to your teenager and re learning what it means to be a parent. When you can let go of who you think your teenager should be, and accept the person that is right in front of you wholeheartedly, the relationship changes for the better. Think about the people in your life that want to change you or judge you, versus the people that love and accept you for all that you are. Which person would you rather be around and which person brings out the best version of you?

Parent coaching sessions are an option to support your teens success in therapy. Modalities frequently included in Teen Talk Therapy are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Somatic Therapy, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, Expressive Art Therapy, and Nature Therapy. If your teenager needs more support than therapy, we will work together to explore available options.