Individual Therapy / Teletherapy for Teens Ages 18-19

Being a Teenager Can Be Difficult!

Teenagers are under a great deal of stress and pressure from friends and family. And then there is social media…

Often friends and family try to silence you or get on your nerves, as if you didn’t really matter. Feel unseen? Unheard? It sucks, doesn’t it?

Teen Counseling

If you are a teen and reading this, counseling for teens can help you improve how you function at home and school – even at work (if you do). It can also improve your relationship to other folks including friends and family – even your parents.

As a teen in counseling, you will be given the chance to take part in your own counseling, which could help you further develop skills to promote independence and self-confidence in dealing with the pressures of life. You see, at times life gets difficult – make no mistake about it.

How do you know it’s time for counseling?

It’s time to seek help from a counselor when you’re having a hard time coping with the crap that life throws at you. Sometimes – despite their best intentions – friends and family just don’t seem to “get it” or even care.

No-Shame Zone

Don’t feel ashamed – from time to time we all need help from trusted people – those who can support and understand us. Those who can truly listen, understand, and guide us to become who we want to become.

The following are common reasons why teens come to talk to a counselor:

• School problems (for example, your grades dropped, your behavior in school)
• Isolating from others
• Anxiety
• Feeling depressed
• Hard to manage anger
• Perfectionism
• Shyness
• Being victim of trauma
• Alcohol/drug use
• Parent separation and divorce

Teen Questions and Answers

Why Would I Bother Talking to a Therapist?

• To work through problems which don’t seem to go away.
• To work through problems that you would rather not talk about with parents or friends.
• To get a different perspective from an adult that is not involved in your situation.
• To understand yourself better.
• To talk about things that bother you.
• Because it can be fun (I won’t bite you: I promise)

What Happens During a First Visit with You?

• I will ask you a few questions to get to you know about you and reasons for coming to therapy.
• You can ask me any questions you’d like.
• I might give you feedback about what you said.
• You then go home.

What Kind of Things Am I Supposed to Talk About in Therapy?

Anything you’d like. I will not make you talk about anything that you do not feel comfortable sharing.

Will You Tell My Parents What I Talk About in Therapy?

No. I will talk to your parents only if you are at risk of hurting yourself or others. I can discuss the rules about this during our first session. Therapy is your private place where you can talk about whatever is on your mind. If getting along better with your parents is one of your goals, then I may include them during a family session after you and I get to know each other.

Let’s Do This!

Tell your parents that you want to try therapy: What have you got to lose?

If you are a parent who wants to help your teen, don’t take it as being a failure as parent. Parenting is not the easiest thing in the world, and all need help from time to time.