Therapy for Tweens (ages 11 and 12) & Teens
Adolescence is tough.
There is so much change happening and all at the same time. To make it extra challenging, adolescents are surrounded by other adolescents who are also struggling with all the changes.
The body, brain, environment, relationships, and school are all changing and it can feel overwhelming. Also, it is not just the adolescent having to adjust to all these changes; the family is as well.
Adolescence is the transition between childhood and adulthood.
It starts around the age of 10 for most (earlier for some, later for others) and doesn’t end until the body and the brain have completed their development, which is around the age of 24.
This transition time is divided into stages, each bringing challenges that are different from the previous stages.
Tools and coping strategies previously used may not be as effective as before or may not work at all.
For some, they find they have no tools or ways to adjust to the many changes. The lack of tools can lead to the development of unhealthy behaviors, thinking, communication, views of self, and views of others and the world.
As humans, we are wired to survive. Sometimes, the ways we find to survive are not the best for us long-term.
Adolescence is a time of hormonal, biological, and social changes. All of these changes happening at the same time can lead to increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and overwhelming feelings.
We will work with your adolescent by first developing rapport to help him or her make sense of what they are experiencing.
Then, we will develop healthy tools to help them both now and for the rest of their life.
Parenting during this time can also be tough.
Past successful strategies may actually make things worse, and you may begin to feel helpless. The relationship you once had is now different as your child acts differently than they used to—at times you may feel like you don’t even recognize them.
These thoughts and feelings you may be having are perfectly normal, and it’s very difficult.
We can help you by working with you to modify existing parenting techniques or help you learn new ones to use during this transition time.
Our work with you will be with the focus of nurturing and strengthening the relationship you have with your adolescent. Most importantly, we will encourage you along the way and give you hope.