Counseling For Teens
The teen years can be very challenging for young men and their families. When a teenager is dealing with self-esteem issues or anxiety, such as social anxiety, it can have an effect on school performance, relationships with parents and siblings, and relationships with friends. Some teens are having more trouble navigating an already difficult time due the effects of the past few years of school disruptions, lack of social contact, more time spent at home, and rising levels of stress and anxiety during a global pandemic.
Today’s teen world can be a confusing place to navigate and understand not only for parents but for teens themselves. Most parents have probably thought that they are glad they don’t have to be the ones growing up in today’s teen world and culture. Teenager’s don’t have that choice and are faced with various challenges from social media, engaging in life after 2 years of being affected by COVID, trying to fit in, peer pressure, and more. Not only are they facing things that their parents faced growing up but they also face the added stress of being constantly connected to technology. Teen boys may often struggle with anxiety or depression and may not know how to express it.
Oftentimes school work seems to be the first sign that something is not right. Teens may change friend groups or may isolate from peers and family. Teens can seem to be angry, disrespectful, or act out in other ways. Some teens struggle with figuring out who they are and are caught up in a constant cycle of comparison and feeling like they are not enough with peers and other figures in their lives. Teens may not have the emotional literacy yet to even share with others what they are feeling or don’t feel connected to other’s enough to be able to process their struggles.
Parents often bear the brunt of their teen’s struggles at home and at times may feel like they have to walk on eggshells but don’t feel like their teen son wants to engage with them and tell them what is going on in their world and with their own emotions. The tense interactions can lead to a lot of tension in the home and strained relationships. Parents often see the behavior at home and grow frustrated, upset, angry and confused at their teen. It can be difficult for parents to step back and wonder what might be attributing to the behavior or what purpose these behaviors might be trying to serve their teen. Teens may be experiencing a lack of self-esteem, anxiety, or depression and it might be showing up as isolation, apathy, or disrespect. Your teen son may not even have the emotional literacy to communicate how he is feeling or what he needs. Parents need to know that conflict can be a catalyst or precursor for change. Your teen and your family might benefit from seeking help from a counselor to help understand the behaviors and address underlying issues and to help navigate the teen years with stronger relationships.
Does your teen:
Appear to be withdrawn more than usual?
Exhibit anxious behaviors such as picking, nail biting, poor eating habits?
Express anxiety about peer relationships or engaging in social functions?
Seem to act out more at home than usual?
Seems to be experiencing poor or low self-esteem or body image issues?
I offer individual counseling for adolescents who are struggling with issues of self-esteem, social anxiety, stress, and peer relationships. I have worked with adolescents and young men struggling with these issues for over a decade through various organizations such as a residential program for struggling teens, a drug and alcohol treatment center for teens and young men, as well as through mentoring with Youth Villages, and as a leader for Nashville college students through Young Life.
By incorporating play therapy techniques such as drawing, sand tray, games, and movement I work to help establish a relationship and rapport with the client to begin to work on the negative thoughts about self and to help equip young men with tools to develop emotional literacy and better communication to feel more connected and significant in their families and communities.
Call now or submit the form to schedule a free consultation to see how counseling can help your son.