Parents

Are you worried about your teen? Do you feel like  no matter what you do, your teen just doesn’t respond?

Maybe you are even getting calls from school, telling you that your teen is not doing well. Maybe your family life is in turmoil over your teen’s behavior. It is tough when your teen is struggling and you don’t have  the answers. You would do anything to help your teen, but where do you turn when you don’t even know what’s wrong?

You have read books, talked  to the  school counselor, googled countless therapists, and  you almost made an appointment. You are tired, and worried, about now, and  your teen’s future, if things don’t get better.

You want real, practical help. 

Even though adolescence is a time of constant change, parents should be aware of particular behavioral symptoms during these years. 

Some mental health problems begin to emerge in adolescence and certain symptoms indicate that your child may need mental health treatment. 

Here are some indicators that your teen may be having mental health difficulties —         Withdrawing more than usual, from friends, family, and activities

• They suddenly lack motivation for things they usually love, or have previously done well. 
• Their school grades are dropping or they may be avoiding or refusing to go to school
• Visible changes in sleep weight, eating habits, or other every day patterns
• They constantly seem angry
• They are drinking or using drugs
• They seem overly anxious in certain situations,such as  social interactions, test, anxiety, athletic performances
• They are grieving a significant loss
• They are coping with divorce
• They have all new friends
• They talk about death or dying often
• Signs of self harm, such as cuts, burns, or bruises that can’t be explained, fully or credibly
• Running thoughts or worries, that they can’t stop. 
• They ask about going to therapy. 

How to talk to your teen about going to therapy

Teens, just like adults may have fears and misconceptions about starting therapy.  It’s important for you to be  able to normalize  therapy as another way to take of yourself.

Here are some tip for starting the  conversation

Wait until you are  feeling calm, not after an incident with your teen that may have been stressful. You can say something like;

“I noticed  that you don’t seem to be yourself lately. I see you (mention specific behaviors) and I’m worried that you are  going through a tough time. Sometimes talking with another adult, outside  the family, like a counselor,  can be really helpful. It’s ok to ask for help, and I’ll support you in finding a therapist who is  a good fit for you. This isn’t about you being the problem.  It’s about you being important to me, and  about having what you need  to feel support when you are going through a tough time. I want to know how  your thoughts about this, and then  we can take  the next step to get you a therapist who you feel is a good fit for you.”

You can have ready the names and contact info, for a few therapists and you can give  your teen the option of contacting them first, themselves. They can check out therapists websites and let you know who they think they would like to meet.  If  they prefer you to make the  first call, (totally the norm), you can call me yourself for a free  introductory consult.

Whether you or your teen has  been in therapy before,  I want you, and your teen,  to experience,  a relationship with a therapist that makes a real difference in the  quality of  their life.   I’d be honored to work with them.

Why do I love  working with teens?

All my life I have felt a connection with teens, their families, and young adults.  I have been a foster parent to many teen boys, and supervised a group home for it girls. In my many years working at the high school social worker, I have walked along side students and their times of grief, anxiety, isolation and yes times of joy.  I am grateful for every encounter with a teen who is ready, and asking for help, even when their behavior is confusing. After all these years, yes, it’s a lot of years!, I love partnering with teens and their families  as they take steps to improve their confidence and relationships.

Let’s talk.

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