Adolescent Therapy:

Being an adolescent is not an easy developmental stage of life. In fact, I believe that adolescents today have so many more choices available to them that it makes this stage even more challenging for themselves as well as their parents. Problems like alcohol and substance abuse introduce further difficulties which cause legal and academic difficulties and compromise health. Sexual promiscuity, pregnancy and abortion pose difficult decisions for the teen and family. Self-mutilating behaviors, suicidal preoccupation, and loneliness contribute to the increased symptoms of depression in our youth today.

On the up side of adolescence today, our teens have more tolerant attitudes and are more “worldly” than their parents were when they were teenagers. If you and your adolescent have troubles communicating, first try to determine if your teenager has any of the problems mentioned above. Getting appropriate help can assist you and your teen in solving these problems. If it seems that a lack of understanding is the main difficulty, you might consider changing your perspective for a moment to see life through your child’s eyes. If this seems impossible, go to your teen and ask him or her to help you understand. This would be an important first step in improving your communication skills and would open the door to a better relationship with your teen. If this is your first time as a parent of an adolescent or it just feels like the first time, and you would like to discuss your frustrations, contact me.