Would you like to speak to us about therapy or coaching? Click here.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
561-453-1096
Toll Free number: 1-833-807-3481
COUNSELING FOR TEENAGERS
Boca Raton, FL
The Teenage Years Are Hard - We Can Help
You've seen a change in your teenager and think they may need counseling help
Are you worried about your teenager? Maybe you've seen a change in their mood, grades or social situation? You can't understand their behavior, and attempts to talk either land on deaf ears or backfire completely.
Pushing back at parents, testing boundaries, prioritizing friendships, expressing big emotions and asserting independence are all part of a healthy road to young adulthood. But what is the line between healthy and a problem? And how do you help them stay on a good path?
You've started to feel like your child's life has become a rollercoaster. They're more emotional than ever and they worry a lot about what other people think. You see them caught up in a cycle of overwhelm but they resist your help every step of the way. Suddenly, their life went from a simple childhood you had under control, to something much more complex.
Despite the obstacles, they deserve to feel good. You deserve to sleep well at night.
There is so much pressure on adolescents today that it is hard to slow down and enjoy being a teen. Your child tries really hard, but it feels like the demands they get from the world and their own mind, just keep getting in the way of their happiness.
It is not uncommon for adolescents to isolate and avoid being open about the struggles they face. Every teenager has to go through times of self-doubt and learn to deal with the demands and challenges that life throws. But you didn't think it would be this hard. You never thought your child would end up in such a dark place. You certainly didn't think they would act the way they are.
Right now, your teens behavior is starting to worry you, and you're wanting to step in before it's too late.
Does My Teenager Need Therapy?
Counseling for teenagers is best for those who are ages 13-18 and going through social, emotional, identity or behavioral challenges. If your child is younger, please check out our child counseling services.If your child is older, look into our counseling services for young adults.
Anxious teens
Your teen feels like their brain is stuck in an endless stream of worries and fears. They may experience stomachaches, headaches or even vomiting but there is no physical condition to cause it. Perhaps they spend countless hours on homework and become very perfectionistic. They feel panicked around new people and unfamiliar situations and may even avoid them.
Angry teens
Your teen is verbally and physically aggressive when they are mad. They may become disrespectful, especially towards adults, and have a hard time taking instruction. They may be known for their short fuse and often find it hard to calm down. They are guarded with people and struggle with vulnerability. You may find it difficult to have a close relationship.
Depressed teens
Your teen is very sensitive. They often cry and experience emotional outbursts. Maybe you've noticed them sleeping and eating too much or too little. You have to pry them out of their bedroom which is the only place they want to be lately. They spend less time on enjoyable activities and may show a decline in their grades.
ADhd teens
Your teen has a short attention span and may become easily bored. They may have a hard time academically. They make simple mistakes and may have a habit of missing or late assignments. They may seem in continuous motion both physically and mentally. They have a habit of acting without thought and they talk excessively at the wrong times. As far as their bedroom goes...that is a whole other story.
teens with behavior issues
Your teen is often disrespectful, especially towards authority figures. They have a hard time listening and following instructions and may be very stubborn. You often get caught up in power struggles and find it hard to have a close relationship. They may completely ignore rules and boundaries and you worry about their safety. They may struggle in school and find it hard to make and keep friends.
teenagers with trauma
Your teen has had a difficult past and it's showing up in the way they act now. They may be pulling back from relationships, activities or specific locations. They appear insecure and often express feeling unsafe. They have many worries about the future and may dissociate when feeling stressed. They may have memories that cause them panic or may struggle to accurately remember the past.
teens and video games
Your teen loves gaming so much that they lack a sense of balance and often avoid other activities. They may be highly introvert and prefer the comfort of online relationships. They may struggle with socialization and lack good interpersonal skills. Gaming may have become an unhealthy escape from feelings of anxiety, depression or past trauma that have not been addressed.
teens and SCREEN TIME
Your teen seems to spend more time on electronics than anywhere else. They may seem increasingly irritable and have a habit of mindlessly scrolling through feeds. They may be highly caught up in social media and texting and worry about how they are perceived by others. Screen time has begun to impact their ability to sleep well and you've noticed a general decline in their overall mood.
TEENAGE GENDER IDENTITY
Your teen is using words like "non-binary"' or is identifying differently to their birth gender. They want to be called by different pronouns and become upset when their birth name or pronoun is used. They may be grappling with big questions like "who am I?" and struggling to connect with a true sense of self. You may be feeling concerned...Is this a phase? Are they getting caught up in a cultural fad? Are they seeking attention? Is this their true self? The topic of gender identity may be causing conflict as your teen asks for acceptance and you struggle to process what all of this means.
TEENage RELATIONSHIP problems
Your teen has a history of difficult relationships. They may fear rejection or abandonment by others. They may avoid relationships, become unhealthily dependent on people or act intense, chaotic and combative at various points. They may struggle with boundaries and may lack the interpersonal or conflict resolution skills to maintain healthy relationships.
teenage sexual identity
Your teen is feeling doubtful about their sexual identity or may be adamant about their newly decided sexual orientation. They may be experiencing same-sex crushes and experimenting with sexuality. They are afraid of being different or judged. You may have your own questions...Is it culture? Hormones? Peer pressure? Their true self? The topic of sexual identity may be causing conflict as your teen asks for acceptance and you struggle to process what all of this means.
Don't think your teenager needs therapy but want to give them additional support? Learn about teen life coaching here.
WHEN YOU COME TO US FOR TEEN COUNSELING
Beneath every teenager's struggle is a desire to feel good about themselves and their place in the world.
Research shows that half of all mental health disorders start by 14 years of age. Because of this, early intervention is necessary and can make a long term difference to your child's wellbeing. We care a lot about the health of your teenager. When you come to us for adolescent counseling your child will:
What Our Process Looks Like for Adolescent Counseling
What Makes Us Different
We put our relationship with you and your child first and back it up with high-quality, research-supported approaches. We lead with authenticity and work hard to relate to your child on their level. Our approach to treatment is fully individualized because your child is unique. The three most common evidence-based methods we include are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Parent Coaching.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps teenagers broaden their thinking and learn new ways of responding to difficult thoughts and emotions. Adolescents develop a tool-kit of skills to take care of their own mental health and coach themselves through difficult times.
Motivational Interviewing is especially effective when working with teenagers because it is a collaborative process that helps the person explore their own decision-making and increase their own motivation to change. The approach is especially helpful for clients who are resistant or doubtful about changing their behavior.
Parent coaching teaches positive parenting methods to support caregivers in managing issues related to their children. Parent coaching is designed to foster better communication and connection so that caregivers feel confident in their ability to support their child.
Frequently asked questions
It is not uncommon for teens to resist counseling services. Overcoming barriers to counseling is a normal part of the process and should not deter parents from getting professional help. We are skilled at working through these kinds of barriers and, while you should expect the process to take more time, it is likely that your child will benefit from therapy.
The process of change takes time and consistent treatment is critical for success. We recommend once/week sessions until your teen is achieving their goals. Sessions can gradually reduce in frequency when our goal shifts to maintaining progress.
The extent of parent involvement depends on the age of your child and the nature of their struggles. We try to offer a reasonable amount of confidentiality so that your teen feels comfortable to take an emotional risk in counseling. Some clients benefit from counseling sessions with frequent parent inclusion, while others do better when counseling is their own private space. We always inform parents of safety issues and will involve parents in counseling to the extent necessary for achieving our goals.
There are many drawbacks to working with insurance providers, especially with underage clients. Not only do insurance companies control the length of treatment but they require the therapist to label your child with a clinical diagnosis and this stays on their permanent medical health record. Being that many teenagers go to therapy for help with relationships, behavior, identity exploration and situational challenges, labeling them with a diagnosis would be unethical and potentially harmful.