Did Aliens come and take my teen? Often it appears this way, as the child we knew can feel like a complete stranger. They begin to explore identity and independence. 

Teenage years are a combination of great fun, burgeoning freedom, and a tremendous amount of stress. During this time, hormone levels are skyrocketing, making teens feel emotionally out of control. There are also pressures to perform well academically and fit into social circles. Now, throw in social media and all that bombards our teens every second of every day. In addition, their frontal lobe is still under construction for another decade or so. It makes sense why they experience big behaviors and can make poor decisions. 

All of this stress can take its toll on a teen’s mental health and overall well-being.

Common Challenges Teens Face

• Loss – Loss can come in the form of the death of a loved one, including a pet, or the form of parental separation or divorce. Loss also happens when a family moves to a new location and the teen must go to a new school or their best friend moves to a new school. When a serious relationship ends, this also is a great loss for a teenager. 
• Stress – A little stress is normal in life and can even be motivating. However, too much stress can cause burnout at any age. Many teens face tremendous amounts of stress to do well in school, hold down a job, and be accepted by their peers. In addition, their phones and screens become a source of pressure and stress. 
• Trauma – Teens who are bullied at school or at home suffer, and often, alone. Emotional abuse is just as traumatic to a teenager as physical abuse. If not dealt with, the aftermath of violence can result in PTSD symptoms.

This is not an exhaustive list of reasons why a teen may want to speak with a therapist by any means. 

My mission is to empower teens by helping them find their voice, achieve insights, be compassionate towards themselves, and create a better way to cope with challenges in their lives. All of this to say, therapy can help them build emotional resiliency! I am here to support teens through the challenges of adolescence, guiding them toward a positive and fulfilling future.

If your teen is struggling right now and could benefit from therapy, please reach out to me.