The teen years are often filled with pressure from peers to fit in and from parents to achieve. This may be the same as what you remember when you were a teenager. However, things have also changed a lot since parents and grandparents were teens. There is more need for teen counseling now than ever.
Now a teenager’s world is online and they often lack the social skills needed to navigate the real world. In addition they are disconnected from others. Teens are trying to find themselves and differentiate themselves from their family while being bombarded with negative images on media.
At the same time they are experiencing hormonal changes that effect their emotional stability and moods and their prefrontal cortex. This means that the decision making part of the brain is still not fully developed. All of this combined can make them feel overwhelmed and out of control at times.
Teenagers often find maladaptive ways to cope with their stress such as
self-injuring
drug and alcohol use
withdrawing
disordered eating
breaking the rules or law
striving for perfection and over-achievement
and many find themselves overwhelmed with symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Let’s face it, no matter how fair, caring, and supportive a parent is, in the eyes of their child they are still their parent and therefore they have a hard time hearing what they have to say. Counseling can help teens by providing them with a non-judgmental adult to talk things over with. I focus on teaching teens appropriate coping and life skills, helping them identify their goals and making a plan to reach them, and to see how they can change their thoughts and behaviors for better results.
Does my Teen Need Counseling?
This can often be a difficult question to answer. Most people can benefit from counseling by learning more adaptive ways of dealing with every day life, and adolescents are no exception. If your teen is engaging in any behaviors that worry you then please bring them in for a session so we can better determine if they would benefit from services. More importantly, if they are asking for therapy, please take this seriously!
Counseling needs in Merritt Island
In the Merritt Island and surrounding Brevard County areas I often see teens with anxiety and depression. We have a lot of high performing students and athletes who feel the pressure from peers, parents, teachers and coaches. I have over 15 years of experience in working with teens in a counseling capacity in Brevard County. I have had my office here in Merritt Island for over 11 years and have helped to counsel hundreds of Merritt Island teens.
No matter if your teenager is a high achiever with anxiety and depression, is a good child who went down the wrong path, has body image issues, is questioning their sexuality, or anything in between, I can help!
