Teen Counseling
Is Your Teenager Struggling To Control Their Emotions?
Are they experiencing intense mood swings and frequent meltdowns?
Do they feel like no one understands them or appreciates them for who they are?
Have they been falling behind in school or withdrawing from the activities they normally love?
Maybe your teenager just seems more emotional than usual—they’re irritable, easily agitated, and behaving erratically. Perhaps they struggle to make friends and they’re constantly worried about whether or not other people like them. They might also be sleeping in more, neglecting their homework, and saying no to social outings. For the first time, you may be considering a therapist who works with teens.
You May Have A Hard Time Figuring Out How To Help Your Teen
Although you want to support them, trying to intervene in your teen’s life can be tricky. They may be more independent now and they probably don’t lean on you for emotional support like they once did. The more you get involved, the more they may push back. As a result, you may feel at a loss for answers for how to help your teen.
The truth is that even the best parents can’t do it all themselves—sometimes teens just need extra help. Therapy gives your teen a safe space to vent their feelings and share their struggles without any fear of judgment. Here at Sunrise Counseling Services, we want to help your teen boost their confidence, enjoy fulfilling relationships, and experience peace of mind no matter where they are in life.
Teens In The Digital Age Are Under More Stress Than Ever Before
It’s no secret—kids today don’t have it easy. They face sky-high expectations to succeed in school, perform well in sports, and make lots of friends. Social media has exacerbated this sense of pressure, since it exposes teens to so many unrealistic standards of beauty and popularity. When teens don’t meet these standards, they often worry that they’re not good enough.
What’s more, social media has created an unhealthy comparison culture. All over Instagram and Tik Tok, teens see other kids with more followers, happier relationships, and bigger circles of friends. As a result, so many teens feel like they’re missing out on life. Despite the fact that they’re more connected than any generation before them, loneliness and isolation is a huge epidemic among today’s teenagers. And in the wake of a global pandemic that forced the world to isolate, that loneliness has only grown.
Many Teens Don’t Have The Coping Skills To Manage Their Emotional Challenges
Since teens are still in such a crucial developmental period, they often lack the experience to know how to cope with life’s stressors. Without a bevy of effective coping skills at their disposal, many of them turn to impulsive and destructive behaviors. They might try to numb their emotional pain through vaping, drugs, alcohol, and other less-than-healthy means.
This is why therapy is so vital for teens. It’s an opportunity for them to gain real-life skills for regulating impulsive behavior, managing emotional overwhelm, and building healthy relationships.
Counseling Can Help Your Teen Feel Seen, Heard, And Accepted For Who They Are
Most teenagers are used to adults who lecture them or tell them how to behave. Here at Sunrise Counseling Services, our approach is just the opposite. Our therapists are here to help your teen feel seen, heard, accepted, and valued. Instead of telling them what to do, we want to follow your teen’s lead and empower them to take charge of their own healing process.
Our practice offers therapy for anxiety, depression, and many other teenage mental health issues. No matter what your adolescent is struggling with, we’re confident that we can help them develop healthy coping strategies and address the underlying challenges in their life.
What To Expect In Teen Counseling Sessions
How we approach therapy varies depending on the age, needs, and goals of each teen. In the beginning, we may have a full-time session with you to get a clear idea of your concerns for your teen. But if your teenager wants, they are welcome to be part of the intake session as well. Although the rest of counseling will take place between your teen and their therapist, we want to keep you involved in treatment and give you parenting skills that you can use in daily life with your teen.
Our counselors draw from a wide range of approaches to help teens work through their mental health issues. These include:
Art therapy—An approach that’s especially useful for teens who are shy or have trouble expressing themselves verbally. Art therapy provides a creative outlet for teens to explore their thoughts and emotions through painting, drawing, writing, and other art forms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—A goal-oriented approach that helps teens identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors. It’s effective for managing anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)—By combining mindfulness techniques with cognitive and behavioral strategies, DBT gives teens skills for regulating intense emotions and impulsive behaviors.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy—The goal of mindfulness is to help teens increase their awareness of the present moment and learn new skills for staying calm and grounded during stressful times.
Regardless of which approach works best for your teen, rest assured that there is a path forward. Working together, we can empower your adolescent to work toward positive change and discover their own potential for growth and healing.
You May Have Some Questions And Concerns About Teen Counseling…
How long will teen counseling take?
Each teenager is different and we tailor our counseling approach to their unique needs. If your teen is simply looking to learn some practical coping skills, therapy may be a short-term commitment. But if their challenges are more complex or they want deeper healing, there’s nothing wrong with pursuing long-term therapy. In the end, we encourage your teenager to move at whatever pace feels right for them and learn to be patient with themselves in the process.
Can I ever be a part my of my teen’s counseling sessions?
We always encourage collaboration during treatment. That said, we also prioritize your teen’s confidentiality, since it’s essential for them to have a safe space where they can share their feelings freely. If your teen is comfortable with it, you are more than welcome to participate in some of their sessions. Doing so can help both of you stay on the same page regarding treatment.
Will I learn parenting skills for helping my teen?
Yes! You are such an important figure in your teen’s life, since you are most likely with them every day. We’ll equip you with strategies that you can use to help them regulate their emotions, manage impulsive behaviors, and communicate their feelings clearly and effectively. Not only can these skills benefit your teen’s life, but they can also deepen the relationship between the two of you.
Let Us Help Your Teen Find The Path Forward
Let Us Help Your Teen Find The Path Forward
If you want to help your teen get started on their journey to healing and wellness, we encourage you to pursue counseling with us. To get started, email us, fill out the contact form or call 931-494-6803.
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