Being a teenager today is not easy. Adolescents face difficulties navigating school, friends, peer pressure, the future, and social media. This period can be equally as overwhelming for parents. You have seen your child change, and you may not know how to connect with them as you used to. For many teenagers, such change is a normal part of growing up as they find their identity. But, at times, these challenges can develop into serious issues. According to the American Psychological Association, 42% of teens report stress but don’t feel they have the tools to manage their stress effectively. Currently, 1 in 5 adolescents is struggling with a mental illness. But counseling can help. Adolescent counseling can bridge the gap between the parent and the adolescent.
Through counseling, teens can learn skills to thrive in adulthood. At Inner Peace Therapies, we aim to create a safe place for adolescents to understand themselves and their behaviors better. Adolescent counseling helps teenagers build confidence, learn life skills, and adopt healthy habits that carry them into adulthood. Adolescent therapy can also be pivotal in resolving teenagers’ daily struggles, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, family conflict, bullying, peer pressure, social dynamics, self-image, and academic stress.
We work collaboratively with adolescents to identify their strengths and areas of distress, find positive ways to cope with challenges, and build interpersonal relationships. At Inner Peace Therapies, we value meeting the teen where they are at. We don’t just apply a Band-Aid. Rather, we get to the root cause of the problem. We work with your adolescent in identifying behavior or beliefs that are not working and develop a plan to change. We work to relate to teens on their level and get honest with them. To help them feel heard and to connect to them, we are not afraid of using unconventional means (e.g., listening to their music or watching videos within their interests). We help teens look inward and think honestly about their values and priorities, empowering them to reflect on what matters deeply. Therapy is not just a place for them to vent and feel heard. It’s also a place to learn to manage emotions, communicate better, and create a toolbox of strategies to help them adjust to life’s ups and downs. We provide guidance, techniques, and skills to help teens make the desired changes. We provide a safe place for them to try new strategies and share disappointment, struggles, and frustration in the face of obstacles or setbacks.
Not knowing how to help your child can be overwhelming as a parent. You are not alone. When teens are struggling, parents are struggling, too. We know how hard it is to watch your teen struggle; at Inner Peace Therapies, parents are encouraged to be part of the therapeutic process. As a parenting consultant, we will work with you in finding ways to connect with your adolescent and balance their need for structure and nurture. During these sessions, you’ll learn how to help your children navigate the stormy waters of adolescence. Understanding how to communicate with your teen is a skill that takes education and practice. Having a therapist guide you and your teen through effective and respectful communication is a gift you can give your family to reduce conflict and increase family cohesion.
Depending on your relationship with your teen or how your teen’s struggles might impact the family, your teen’s therapist might recommend family therapy sessions. Family therapy can also tackle boundaries, relationship building, problem-solving with ongoing conflicts, and trust-building to support you and your teen.
Your teen is brimming with potential. Reach out today to help them realize it!