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Family Therapy
Couples and Family Counseling | Parenting Children, Adolescents and Young
Adults
Parenting Children, Adolescents and Young Adults
The adolescent and teen years are a difficult time for both the child and the parents. Adolescents seek independence but can find themselves alone and struggling with peer relationships, pressures to succeed, and exposure to drugs and alcohol.
In both the Dunham Counseling and Isenberg & Associates offices, we have therapists who have developed a specialization in working with adolescents and families. These therapists often work with both the child and parents using a combination of practical problem-solving solutions and emotional therapy techniques to support the adolescent and guide the parents.
During the adolescent years, teens face many adult decisions and pressures that they are not always equipped to handle. Impulsive decision-making and a lack of problem-solving skills can lead teens to serious life consequences. To make the situation more difficult, teens do not always want to discuss their problems or may have poor communication skills. This keeps parents and support at a distance during these difficult times. Parents often learn of a problem well after their child is facing consequences for poor decisions and choices.
Some of the reasons, parents may seek counseling for a teen include issues with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or ADHD, low self-esteem, drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity. Unlike adults, teens are not developmentally equipped to handle many of the adult situations they encounter. They tend to act out impulsively, rely on poor information or just don’t know how to cope with the situation.
Counseling can provide the support and guidance they need to get through.
Individual counseling gives them a safe place to express feelings and to get guidance on better strategies to cope and problem-solve. Parents and the children learn to reach out to trusted professionals to help the teen make better decisions and choices. Parents can benefit too, if they are included in counseling, as it provides an opportunity to learn new strategies and to open up parent-child communication.
Common reasons to seek help for an adolescent include:
- Acting out behavior
- Discipline or anger issues.
- Difficulties at school or in peer relationships.
- Feelings of loneliness, moodiness, depression, sadness, stress or anxiety.
- Conflict and disrespect at home.
- Problems with drugs or alcohol.
- Help before or after a divorce.
- Issues with depression, anxiety, bipolar or ADHD.
- Issues with perfectionism or body image.
- Issues with self esteem and confidence.
- Persistent feelings of dissatisfaction.
- Unexplained fatigue or difficulty sleeping.
- Difficulties with parents, or other family members.
- Performance stress and pressures from grades.
- College preparation or life after graduation.
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