Should My Teen See a Therapist?

Is your teenager not talking to you? Do they seem depressed? Angry? Sad? Lost?

Therapy for your teenager is a process that can lessen conflicts in the home, welcome back the child you remember, and give them the tools to grow and succeed.

Is your teenager struggling with the growing pains of becoming an adult?

As an adolescent therapist, I strive to create an environment of trust and safety where teenagers can explore their feelings, express themselves freely, and discover who they are.

Significant life events can cause stress that might lead to problems with behavior, mood, sleep, appetite, and academic or social functioning.

In some cases, it is not clear what has caused a child to suddenly seem withdrawn, stressed, tearful, or angry. If you feel your child might have an emotional or behavioral difficulty, trust your instincts.

Signs that a child may benefit from seeing a licensed therapist include:

·learning or attention problems such as ADHD
·traumatic events
·behavioral problems such as excessive anger or acting out
·a significant drop in grades
·episodes of sadness, tearfulness, or depression
·social withdrawal or isolation
·being the victim of bullying or bullying other children
·overly aggressive behavior
·sudden changes in appetite or eating disorders
·insomnia or increased sleepiness
·excessive school absenteeism or tardiness
·mood swings (e.g., happy one minute, upset the next)
·management of a serious, acute, or chronic illness
·signs of alcohol, drug, or substance abuse
·problems following separation, divorce, or relocation
·bereavement issues
·custody issues
·sexual, physical, or emotional abuse