Teen Therapy
In Coral Springs & Fort Lauderdale
Teen Self-esteem and Worth | Developing Independence |
Identity Formation | Finding Your Voice | Communication Skills
Are You Wondering How To Best Help Your Teen Through Their Difficult Time?
Has your teen been acting differently lately, not like themselves?
Are you noticing an unusual change in their moods, either by them expressing a lack of motivation and interest, or by avoiding their usual routine and social activities?
Do they seem to be angrier or prone to arguments when you try to help them grow in different areas of life?
Have you struggled to say the right words to reach them deeply enough to get what is really happening beneath the surface?
It can be frustrating and puzzling to connect with your child during their teen years. The more you try to help, the more it seems like anything you say ends up being wrong. You try to advise them, use your life experiences to protect them, and offer solutions, but they seem to be somewhere else in their minds or look at you as if your experiences don’t matter.
Communication Styles That Worked During Childhood No Longer Resonate With Teens
As a child, your teen listened, and they relied on your opinion. You were the authority on all things. Now they prefer to hear it from friends or from social media, questioning if you have relevant answers to their current struggles.
Sometimes a teen doesn’t feel safe being vulnerable, sometimes they don’t want to burden their parents, and sometimes they don't believe parents could understand their current pressures. They might prefer a neutral, non-judging person—such as a teen counselor—to listen to their overwhelmed feelings, help them navigate negative views of themselves, and validate their stressors.
The problem can worsen when you start feeling like their lack of listening becomes disrespect and a challenge to your rules and expectations. As most parents, you may react by swinging from being understanding and nurturing to feeling resentful and doubling down on consequences.
At that point, trust can be broken, and you’re left wondering how you ended up becoming alienated from your teen.
Does this sound like you and your teen?
Most Parents Have Difficulty Understanding And Managing Teen Anxiety And Depression
During the teen years, many mental and emotional shifts occur when teens try to differentiate themselves from their parents in order to gain their individuality and a solid identity. They are aware of how the world sees them, compare themselves with their peers and their environment, and desperately look for ways to build their sense of self.
Societal norms, messages, and expectations have drastically changed from when parents were young. Instead of contending with a few kids in the neighborhood, teens today feel they must measure up to social media standards of beauty, sexual readiness, stringent academic standards, and talents in sports and hobbies. At the same time, they’re expected to stay abreast of all the current societal dos and don'ts.
When a teen falls short in any of these areas, peer pressure, microaggressions, and even bullying can affect your teens’ mental health. Judgment is at an all-time high!
The Fragile Balance Between Being The Authority And The Friend
Society today is more cognizant of the need for deeper emotional connections between people, families, and parents and their kids. Teens today are more sensitive to their emotional needs, want to more meaningfully relate to others, and are looking to find greater self-introspection and presence.
As social reinforcement has encouraged this shift, parenting styles also needed to adapt. Setting expectations and enforcing consequences, while still creating a partnership and deep connection with your teen, can be a hard task to master.
Therapy Can Help Your Teen Navigate The Journey To Adulthood
When a teen is struggling, their pain does not always show up as anxiety or depression. Instead, you may notice irritability, anger, withdrawal, defiance, risk-taking behaviors, or a loss of motivation. These behaviors are often signs that a teen is carrying emotional burdens they do not yet have the skills or words to express.
As a therapist, I enjoy working with teens to help them better understand their emotions, build confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and strengthen their connection to the people who care about them most.
At the same time, I also support parents in learning how to navigate this stage of development with greater understanding, which helps families rebuild trust, improve communication, and create a stronger relationship during these important years.
To The Teen Reading This: Here’s The Tea
First, your behavior makes sense to me. You are a product of your environment, and all you are doing is trying to do your best to protect your self-worth and make sense of your emotions.
I want to help you realize that despite what you are struggling with, you already possess several strengths and values in order to manage your stuff. All you need is a caring teen counselor to help you find them and know how to use them.
My approach is collaborative, curious, respectful, and genuinely caring. I have a passion for helping teens recognize the positive attributes they have and also develop useful new ones.
To The Parent Reading This: How I Customize Therapy For Your Teen
Each teen is unique in their personality and how they perceive the world. I enjoy working with neurodivergent kids to help them be creative in how they manage the expectations of a neurotypical world. I also offer counseling for LGBTQ+ teens, who have unique struggles in the current environment. Whatever the situation, your teen can learn to accept themselves, navigate the challenges of the world around them, and develop a sense of self-worth that is not dependent on others’ opinions and approval.
The key to successful counseling is helping teens feel seen, heard, and understood so they can develop confidence, a stronger sense of self, and greater inner peace to deal with life.
My Take On Therapy for Teenage Anxiety, Depression, And Trauma
Like so many teens today, you may struggle with anxiety. During counseling, I would like to show you that anxiety serves a function and that you can regain control over the underlying issues that cause it, even in your teenage years. My focus will be on solving your current symptoms using grounding and mindfulness, as well as help you see where the issues began.
Another frequent issue my teenage clients bring up in counseling sessions is depression. Feelings of depression can come up when there is a sense of hopelessness and lack of control over the stressors you’re facing.
My goal is for you to realize that you’re not the problem—the problem (depression) is the problem. In sessions, I will teach you practical tools to regain control and how to rely on yourself for validation, protection, and self-love. Step-by-step, you will develop self-esteem and let go of caring about negative judgments.
When I work with teens who have experienced trauma, I utilize EMDR therapy. Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in teens are best resolved when the therapist targets the subconscious area where the trauma gets stuck.
EMDR therapy is a method that desensitizes the negative beliefs and the emotions and body sensations associated with the traumatic memories. It helps you relieve current symptoms and regain a better outlook, emotional balance, and confidence.
All this to say that you will heal yourself!
Most Common Questions About Teen Therapy
How do I know if my teen needs counseling?
Many parents wonder whether their teen just needs another conversation or would benefit from working with a therapist. While open communication with parents is important, counseling may be helpful when a teen’s struggles persist or begin to affect academics, friendships, family relationships, mood, or daily functioning.
If your child seems withdrawn, anxious, overwhelmed, irritable, or avoids talking with you, therapy for teens can provide a safe, neutral space where they can explore their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment.
What if my teen is not motivated to go to therapy?
Most teens avoid therapy if they feel like it will be used to blame them for poor behaviors or force them to open up about subjects that are too painful to address. In reality, once they experience a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where they feel heard and respected, many become engaged and appreciate the support.
How are parents included in the therapy process of their teen?
Although there are set limits of confidentiality in my work with teens, I incorporate parents in many ways, depending on what their child needs. I can facilitate sessions with you, offer parenting communication tips, and share any areas that are of greater concern, especially surrounding safety or maladaptive functioning. In addition to helping your teen, my goal is to improve the entire family system.
Your Teen Deserves The Chance to Thrive In Their Adult Life
If you would like to schedule an appointment or discuss any further questions you might have about therapy for teens, please contact us. It’s my honor to be of service to your teen and your family.