Teens don’t always ask for help when they need it. In the same way that you take your child to the doctor when they are sick, there are times when it is necessary to bring your child to therapy for the extra support and treatment they need to learn to cope with their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Therapy can help with a variety of different issues and I strive to provide the kind of safe environment where teens can talk openly. My approach includes creating a strong bond with the adolescent and helping them learn to communicate openly with their parents or loved ones.
If you think your teen could benefit from having someone they can talk to individually, or if your family is in need of extra help communicating with one another, please call me at 626.807.9968 so we can talk more about my services.
Tips for Parents
Here are a few tips and ideas to think about as you parent your child through the challenging teenage years:
- Believe in your teen’s ability to succeed and help them get involved with things like peer mentoring, volunteering, or a part-time job
- Talk to your teen about risky behaviors and let them know they can talk to you without judgment
- Choose your battles well - Think about whether this is a safety issue or a preference issue
- Be consistent and follow through - Model for your child about the importance of giving your word and being trustworthy
- Discover what is meaningful in their life and help them find ways to develop those interests
- Know that pulling away is normal - This is a time when your child is discovering their own personal identity. Give them opportunity to make small decisions and gain confidence in themselves
- Make time for your teen - Set aside quality time for you to talk or do something fun together as a family