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It can be hard to know what to do when your adolescent is struggling with hopelessness, behavioral challenges, and mental health issues. Fortunately, there are a number of therapists out there who can work with your child to improve their mental health and behaviors through counseling. To learn more about five ways your adolescent could benefit from talk therapy, online therapy, or a teen residential program, read on.
1. Professional Resources
One of the biggest benefits of therapy for teens from places like Charlie Health is that you and your teenager will be able to draw on the skills and resources that come with professional help. Trained and licensed mental health professionals will be able to give your teenager assignments, workbooks, activities, and even teach them life and social skills during their time in psychotherapy.
Depending on your teen’s treatment goals, the therapist you send your child to will be able to create a treatment plan based on their specific needs. For example, if your teenager has mental health problems plagued by anxiety, a therapist can use CBT therapy to help them work through trauma and issues like PTSD.
2. Improving Self-Esteem
Many people underestimate the importance of healthy self-esteem in teens. Sending your teen to a therapist to help them navigate difficult feelings, social media, bullying, and any mental health disorders they may be struggling with is a great way to help them learn to discard negativity and build self-confidence. While therapy can help people of all ages to feel more confident, it’s particularly helpful with teenagers. A more confident teen will be able to handle peer pressure more effectively and could even avoid substance abuse and self-harm issues if they’re in therapy early on.
3. Building Connections
All ages need a strong support network to turn to during difficult times. However, a therapist will be able to set your child up with teen support groups where they can begin to form their own networks and friendships with like-minded kids. Maybe your teenager has just come out, for example. A great therapist can refer them to an LGBTQ group for teens that will help them to feel less alone and give them a safe place to explore feelings, fears, and anxieties.
4. Safe Spaces
Some teens feel like they don’t have a space where they can talk privately without fear of consequence or judgment. By helping the teen that you love to find a great therapist, they’ll have someone they can trust to listen to their experiences without judgment. This can be extremely helpful for kids who are shy or don’t have a lot of social support. It can be great practice in learning to trust people, too.
5. Practicing Tools and Skills
A good therapist will work with your teen on social skills and daily life skills. Able to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses effectively, they can help your teenager play up their talents and interests and play down their challenges. They can also help with role-playing relationship styles and communication skills. For example, if your teenager had something difficult to share with you, their therapist would be a safe space to practice. In some cases, a teen therapist could even arrange a family session to help facilitate hard discussions in productive ways. While there, they can teach you to listen proactively and help your teen to feel understood.
In the end, the teenage years are only a life stage. While this age group can be difficult to raise, it’s important to remember that whatever your child is going through is only temporary. In providing them with the support they need now, you’ll help them with their confidence and self-esteem, and give them hope for the future.
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