Adolescents

Adolescents are one of my favorite demographics with whom to work. For therapists, adolescents are one of the most challenging and most inspiring groups to have in a practice. For me, the appeal of their creativity, struggles, potential for change and growth, and their idealism are reasons I like working with them.

That does not mean liking everything about their behavior or interactions however.

By understanding what a behavior achieves or expresses for individuals of this age group, you can help them find some successful modes of expression that will be more effective with their parents or peers. One of the keys for parents and therapists is to really listen. Adolescents need to “feel” heard before they can move on to logical and rational solutions. Often the intensity of feelings and expression can block others from genuinely listening.

It can be difficult coping with life’s circumstances and to face the stress of academic pressures and family expectations. We all know, from our own experience that making the push for independence as a teen can be fraught with challenges and intense emotions. Conflicts arise, and it takes an effort to keep the connection and the lines of communication open. As a therapist, my role is to help adolescents explore their feelings and reactions, to understand where others are coming from and why, and to help them to find ways to approach a parent or peer that might get a different and more connected response.

I often can guide parents to connect rather than focusing on correcting. At times I will meet with parents instead of their child for just such a purpose. It is critical that parent’s stay involved and supportive in adolescence as they, hopefully, were in earlier childhood, even as their teen is becoming more autonomous and independent.

My goal is to help adolescents and their parents to stay open and accepting to the changes and challenges of this period of their life. My approach is to be receptive and responsive rather than reactive.