Teens have specific needs as they navigate changes in terms of adolescent development- including physical, social and emotional. Because this is a tremendously impactful time of life, it is essential to provide a safe, non-judgemental space for our younger clients to gain support and guidance as they work through specific issues that arise during these years. It is undeniable that healthy teens become healthy adults. We are advocates of providing proactive education and support to our teens so they learn to create healthy habits and patterns NOW while they still have the support and daily influence of their family and familiar surroundings.
MOOD & TEMPERAMENT
(Anxiety, Depression, Loneliness, Withdrawing, Noticeable shifts in behavior, Perfectionistic tendencies)
One of the most commonly reported complaints we hear from parents is that their teen seems "on edge," uneasy and anxious more times than not. They explain to us that they often cannot identify a particular stressor. Interestingly enough, many teens struggle to put their finger on a specific reason, and sometimes they report that literally everything feels overwhelming and they are in a state of total overwhelm.
Warning signs that anxiety or depression may be brewing:
Your teen acts like they don't care about anything. Or, they go the other direction and become hyper-focused (maybe even obsessive) as they strive to be all things to all people at all times, and are afraid of "failing" or not being "enough."
Some teens have such high (and often unrealistic) expectations of themselves that they can work themselves into a panic or a full blown shutdown. Unfortunately, if this continues, many teens develop unhealthy ways to cope and manage the intensity of their internal stress/emotions. The bottom line here is that they will work very hard to keep things contained inside because they don't want to alert anyone to the fact that they "don't have it all together." This can lead to a slippery slope fast.
SELF ESTEEM
The most basic need that we all share (no matter our age) is the desire to feel understood and accepted. Many teens are prone to feeling "out of place," like they don't fit in, and generally wonder what steps to take to feel more settled.
Many teens describe feeling like they wear a "mask" that shows the outside world that they are "OK" and "picture perfect" [thanks instagram/snapchat], but inside, it's a whole different story. We spend a tremendous amount of time working on academics, participating in various activies, and moving towards achievement. However, the simple truth is that very few of our teens are receiving guidance or information about how to build and nurture themselves internally so they will have a healthy foundation to build on....(like how to be nice to yourself, calm yourself from overwhelming feelings, or how to deal with critical or self defeating thoughts.)
PEER RELATIONSHIPS
Some teens are brazen, assertive and maybe downright "bossy," while others appear painfully shy and have difficulty putting themselves out there at all. Although they look opposite, these are both tactics teens use to feel "safe." We work with teens as they find the balance that allows them to connect more easily with others, while also honoring what feels comfortable to them.
BONUS: We love that if they can begin to learn and refine the skills needed to create healthy relationships now, they will hit the ground running in adulthood and hopefully bypass some unnecessary heartache and relationship complications.
PREPARING FOR COLLEGE
Read about how we help teens prepare for their transition to college.
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High School
Juniors + Seniors