Is your teenager isolating in his/her room & playing video games? Has he/she stopped talking to you about what’s going on in life?
Are you getting short, snarky answers like “I’m fine, just leave me alone” as he looks down at his phone or slams the door?
Do you wonder if it could be more than just teenage hormones and angst?
Growing up has never been easy and it doesn’t seem to be getting easier. There can be so many things to sort out: family disruptions and conflicts, changing bodies, fitting in with peers, finding friends, and academic pressures. Any or all of these things can sometimes make it feel that just keeping one’s head above water is an accomplishment.
Being a teenager these days (and a parent of one) is rough. Adolescence can be a wonderful, but usually stressful time in our lives. You may find that the people you love the most get on your nerves a lot. You may feel confused, angry, or down. You may find yourself acting in ways you don’t understand, or that make it even harder to get ahead at school or with your family and friends. Sometimes life was going great until a big change came along, like parents divorcing, moving to a different place, or having a medical problem. The skills you learn during middle and high school to get through difficult times will help you know yourself better and understand how to create the life you want as an adult. Just because you’re still a “kid” doesn’t mean that you don’t see and know a lot about what’s wrong. We know that just because you’re a “mom” or “dad” doesn’t mean that you don’t have a lot to offer in terms of guidance and support.
We can guide you in how to manage the problems in your life as well as help you build stronger connections with others. We’re not here to be another adult telling you how you’re wrong or to side with your parents over every disagreement. We’re here to listen without judgement and really get to know your point of view. We’re also here to help families figure things out together because we know that the quality of those relationships are the most powerful way to make life after high school an independent, thriving time.
Without the fear of judgment, you will be empowered to build skills, find new perspectives, develop confidence and a positive sense of self.
Teens are sometimes accompanied by a parent or parents in a session when that makes the most sense to address what is going on. Mostly, however, teens have their own sessions. In these individual sessions teens have confidentiality rights, and that is one reason that they can begin to talk more freely with an adult. In either arrangement, though, the benefits of increasing communications between teen and parents are kept in mind.