During adolescence (ages 13-17) the onset of puberty occurs which causes the body to experience change. Concerns about fitting in begin to arise and the exploration of social groups begins, it includes and can occur in schools and/or foster a period of self-discovery, which can include learning about sexuality and finding commonality within friendships, etc. Through this exploration, adolescents begin to seek more independence from their parents while they are trying to “figure things out,” which can lead to conflict if adolescents begin to struggle with self-esteem, body image, difficult behaviors (in the home and at school), moodiness, and even a change of appearance in the clothing or fashions they wear. In addition, areas that are still developing at this age include ability to make complex decisions and impulse control. The ability for the adolescents to express themselves and have healthy communication can be difficult while they are trying to balance all of these struggles, but with psychotherapy, your adolescent is allowed a safe space to express how they feel in whichever way they choose to describe it. Including parents or guardians in treatment can also help strengthen the relationship between adolescent and parent(s) while cultivating skills for better communication and acceptance. Treatment for adolescents include those struggling with:
Trauma
Depression
Anxiety
Digital Wellness
Grief
Aggression
Low self-esteem
Low motivation
Difficulty with social skills
Difficulty with adjusting to new situations or life events