Teen Counseling and finding a psychologist for teens

Your teenager deserves the best care possible.

You often hear about it from other parents with teenagers going to teen counseling. And if you watched The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Breakfast Club, you’ve seen it in movies too. Nonetheless, you’re caught off guard. It happened so gradually; you didn’t even notice. Your sweet baby does not even want to talk to you anymore. What did you do wrong? Should you have been stricter? Maybe if you came home earlier from work and stopped taking all those overtime hours, your teenager would not have all this trouble. Maybe it’s genetic. You went through the same!

The blame game is just another faulty solution. No one is to blame. Not you. Not your partner. Especially not your kid. Blame your kid, and you’re only making things worse. If you can’t get through your kid and talking to them seems impossible, talking them through to seeing a teenage psychologist is the best option.

Although your teenager is much less of a child now and is seemingly an adult capable of making his own decisions, their brains are not yet fully developed to handle mature situations. They cannot make decisions that are not clouded by peer pressure or societal standards. 

Puberty is a huge transition. Raging hormones and physical changes can take a negative toll on your teen. Moral and Psychological development is also at its peak during adolescence. All these changes can sometimes be too much for the young mind of a teenager. Add in peer pressure, social pressure, and identity crises to everything they are going through. Any teen would tip over without help.

To search additional resources for teens struggling with their mental health and their parents, click here.  

Does my child need teen counseling?

A change in your teen’s personality as he goes through the adolescent phase is normal. In a way, teenage angst is a typical response to all the stress teens get in this stage of their life. However, teenagers with difficulty adjusting to all the changes and external stressors should consider seeing a therapist for teens. 

Your child doesn’t have to be punching walls, ditching school, or doing drugs to need teenage counseling. The following are all legitimate reasons to start counseling:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Relationship problems
• Adjustment to family conflicts and other major life stressors
• Death of a family member
• Excessive rage or aggression
• Substance abuse
• Body image issues
• Confidence and Identity issues
  

What do you do if your teenager refuses to go to counseling?

Teens are often resistant to seeing a counselor because they do not want to be judged, laughed at, and be called by their friends. Going to therapy for teenage depression or whatever reason is like admitting to themselves that something is wrong with them and may lead to feelings of insecurity. No one wants to feel bad about themselves. Click here to learn more about depression in teens.

 It could also be a power or control struggle similar between them and you, the parents. They don’t want to do what they are told and are concerned about the therapist discussing their personal issues and concerns with you.

 Understanding the real reason your kid doesn’t want to go is crucial to address their concern correctly. It’s also important that your teen feels comfortable speaking with their therapist.

 ThoughtWise Teenage Counseling Services

For teenagers to open up, they need to feel safe and secured. They need to know that they won’t be judged or punished. This is what we strive for at ThoughtWise – a respectful place for your teenager to open up freely.

Our psychologists are all experienced in counseling adolescents and their families to better understand what your teenager is going through. We also aim to help your teen earn how to manage your emotions, develop self-confidence, build better relationships, and navigate adulthood with grace. 

The therapy sessions are always confidential. However, if the teenager’s personal safety or those around them is at risk, we are legally mandated to disclose any significant information.

Family counseling as a group and counseling to address stress from school or life transitions for teens and young adults are also available to help support your child.