Adolescence can be one of the most challenging experiences faced by both teens and their parents. During this time, adolescents are learning to navigate through the nuance of physical and emotional changes that are taking place, while striving to grow into self-reliable, independent adults. Many teens may start seeking independence and individuation through peer relationships with potential to participate in new (sometimes risky) behaviors. Understandably, parents may struggle to understand and start to develop fear about changes in their relationship when they sense a lack of impact on their child. Changes in adolescent behavior are a normal sign of developing their will, self-confidence, and personality as young individuals.
Parenting teens through depression, peer-relationship problems, emotional and behavioral problems, low self-esteem, anxiety, self injury, and increased bouts of anger and irritability can feel overwhelming and out of your control. We want to help by building a bridge of communication from the client to the family in hopes to reconnect on more stable ground. At Greer & Associates, teen and adolescent therapy focuses on underlying emotional problems that interfere with development of trust, positive self-regard, and constructive communication. We help clients understand the causes of their distress and learn coping skills to deal in healthy ways in the future. Our hopes for therapy with teens include lasting changes in emotional regulation, communication, and choices in behavior.
Parent Consult
The process of counseling teens and adolescents varies from family to family. During the first session the counselor will gather information from parents about their concern for their child in addition to their mental health and family history. The next few sessions will be with the adolescent to start building the therapeutic relationship and gather their own perspective on why they are in therapy. At our practice, the client and the counselor will meet individually for most sessions with parent consultations every 4-6 weeks (or as needed). The counselor uses information gathered to determine the needs of the client, parents, and environment to initiate the changes desired. At Greer & Associates, therapy is a collaborative process with children and parents. As clients grow and develop into young adults, parent involvement typically decreases in order for them to build trust and comfort with their counselor.
*Please refer to our Policies for Minors for more information.