Finding the Right Help for Your Teen

Life can be a turbulent journey that takes savvy and deep wisdom to negotiate well. As a parent, you face a variety of challenges, not least of which is getting help for your teen to live in ways that help them flourish as they mature in the Lord.

In moments of honest vulnerability, parents will often acknowledge that they don’t have it all figured out and have a lot to learn when it comes to parenting their kids. That’s all right. It’s more common than you’d think and help is available.

Does my teen need counseling?

Teens are figuring out who they are in a new phase of life. If parents struggle trying to figure out how to help for their teen as they struggle through the changes initiated by adolescence, imagine how those teens are experiencing this bewildering time.

Of course, 21^st-century children have no shortage of voices telling them who they should be, from friends at school, influencers on social media, and the adults in their life. Much of the “wisdom” your teen encounters will likely not be helpful or may conflict with your values as a family.

Your teen may need counseling in certain circumstances, including the following:

• Their grades are dropping, and they’re getting in trouble at school.
• Their weight and appetite change dramatically.
• They become more isolated and withdrawn, and they seem sad.
• They begin harming themselves, and they talk about death and dying.
• They begin abusing substances, from recreational and other drugs to alcohol and other substances to get a high.
• They are engaging in high-risk behavior such as unprotected and promiscuous sex, or reckless driving.
• They have unexplained anger outbursts, and they struggle to regulate their emotions.

It’s important to remember that becoming a teenager will bring changes, and each child will adapt to these changes in different ways. Your child will change in surprising ways, and it may not always indicate bad things.

Some changes can simply be attributed to growing up, while others aren’t healthy and need to be addressed. As a parent, you know your child best, and you should trust your gut if you feel like something isn’t right.

Issues that counseling for teens deals with.

Counseling for teens addresses a variety of issues, including:

• Bullying (being bullied, or bullying others).
• Struggles with motivation and finding direction in life.
• Eating disorders such as binge eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa.
• Issues regarding sexuality and gender.
• Body dysmorphia and body image issues.
• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Substance abuse and addictions, including addictions to pornography, video games, and social media.
• Family issues including conflict with siblings, good communication with parents.
• Grief and loss.
• Loneliness and shyness.
• Anger issues.

Your child’s counselor will build rapport with your child by creating a safe space for them to share their concerns and unpack their feelings. Often, they may be willing to talk with a stranger about things and not their parents because it may feel embarrassing telling their parents about certain things, or they may fear disappointing their parents.

As a parent, it’s important to trust the therapeutic process and trust that your child’s counselor has your child’s best interests at heart. Consider counseling as one of the tools in your parenting kit. Some issues require professional insight; leaning on that expertise is the best move you can make as a parent.

That counseling can take the form of individual counseling, family counseling, or group counseling. If you see your child struggling, don’t hesitate to find a counselor and get them the help they need. The counselors in our office are ready to help you and your teen. Reach out today.