Teen counseling meets a unique need for care during a time of rapid development and change in a person’s life. Some have compared the teen years to a second toddler period, in the sense that there is so much growth and development happening that it can be overwhelming.

While a toddler is making the transition from an infant to a child, a teen is making a transition from child to adult. The perfect storm of hormonal and brain changes in conjunction with a rapidly changing social landscape, increased responsibility and the external pressures of peers, and social media can create a maelstrom that leaves some teens struggling with mental health symptoms.

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Counseling and good mental health care during this transitional time can be the difference between a teen experiencing a couple of rough years, and someone who experiences a lifetime of mental health or addiction issues because they were unable to cope.

We must recognize that teens today are facing a level of information input that has never been seen before, and the culture of instantaneous digital feedback puts them in a vulnerable position for mental health struggles. Rather than writing off a teen’s struggles, teen counseling at Little Elm Christian Counseling takes them seriously and provides tools, education, and compassionate support to ensure that a teen can function well.

When is teen counseling appropriate?

Seeking counseling for a teen could be appropriate in a wide variety of circumstances. Some teens might only need short-term support, while others need more extensive care and treatment.

Some common concerns that teen counseling in Little Elm, Texas addresses are:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Eating disorders
  • Substance abuse
  • Identity questions
  • OCD
  • Grief
  • Trauma recovery
  • Family issues: divorce, loss of a family member, family tension
  • Social or school issues like bullying or issues with peer relationships
  • Low self-esteem
  • Self-harm
  • Social media related concerns
  • Stress management

It can be difficult to discern whether a teen is dealing with normal developmental angst, or whether the issue is more serious. Sudden shifts in behavior, persistent mood changes, weight changes, changes in sleeping patterns, and any expressions of a desire to harm oneself or suicidal ideation should be taken seriously. Please do not brush off these comments as dramatic or attention-seeking.

There’s simply no way to know for certain and it is far better to seek care than to minimize a concern and regret it later. Your child’s doctor can be a resource for evaluating and handling concerns as well. If you’re worried about your teen’s mental health, this can be a great starting point and they can give you more guidance about whether counseling would be helpful.

Even if you choose not to pursue counseling, it’s worthwhile to ask your teen if there are other adults in their life that they feel safe confiding in or asking for help. During such a tenuous time it may be easier for a teen to be honest with someone who’s not quite as involved in their day-to-day life and can be a little more objective about their circumstances.

There is no such thing as too many wise and caring voices in your child’s life, so rather than insist that your teen tell you everything that is going on, a parent may have more success in simply trying to ensure that their child has several safe adults they trust, whether these are coaches, friend’s parents, youth pastors, school counselors or teachers or other individuals.

Many of the same techniques used for adults can be employed when counseling teens. Evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT are commonly employed to help teens sort through unhelpful thought patterns and manage impulse control. Depending on a teen’s needs and the reason that they’re seeking counseling, other methodologies like EMDR could be helpful, especially if the teen needs counseling to help with processing a traumatic event or circumstance.

Unique considerations in teen counseling relationships.

A teen’s therapy is usually conducted individually, and this can be a tricky area to navigate. Most teens are still minors, and depending on the situation that precipitated counseling, a teen could be extremely resistant to even going to counseling in the first place. This can be normal, though ideally, counseling will be most effective if the teen has bought into the concept.

There are situations where counseling is court-mandated, in which case, know that counselors have strategies to gain the rapport and trust of their teen clients. Part of gaining this rapport and trust involves clear communication about what will or won’t be communicated back to parents or guardians.

There are some things that counselors are bound by law to always disclose, such as abuse or life-threatening circumstances. However, much of what happens in a session needs to be left up to the counselor, teen, and guardian to decide how and what is shared. It’s best if all parties have a clear understanding of how these things will be handled.

Respect for a teen’s growing independence needs to be balanced with the parent or guardian’s influence in the teen’s life and an appropriate level of guidance and accountability. This can vary widely from one teen to another which is why it’s vital for there to be a clear conversation about it at the outset of counseling.

If a parent is willing to listen with an open heart and mind to their teen’s concerns, this lays a foundation for them being able to access the care they need. There may be very real problems concerning behaviors and things that in a parent’s estimation are out of line. Often, troubling behavior, self-harm, alcohol or drug use, school issues, etc., are what cause a parent to seek out counseling for their child, and these behaviors need to be addressed.

However, what parents need to know is that their children don’t always misbehave without a reason. The reason may not be readily apparent, it may not initially make sense, and there may be times when the reason is connected to you. An openness to hearing your child’s experience, even when it is difficult for you to process, can go a long way toward healing in your family.

As Christian parents our model for how to interact with our children should be God’s compassionate response to us, remembering that God’s kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4) and that our own kindness to our children in their suffering can be more transformative than punitive measures.

Family therapy at Little Elm Christian Counseling can be a helpful adjunct to your teen’s individual counseling and it’s often a wonderful idea for a parent to attend counseling themselves if their teen is struggling. Loving a child who’s struggling is a difficult experience in itself, so recognize that the more support you can provide for yourself, the more bandwidth you will have to offer your teen support and care as they navigate their challenges.

If you think your teen could benefit from counseling, we are here for them, and we are here for you. At Little Elm Christian Counseling, we understand that it can feel scary to admit that things are beyond your ability to handle, but we commend the courage that it takes to seek skilled care. We are here for your family to help in whatever capacity we can, understanding that it is God who holds all together, even when it feels like it is falling apart. Contact us today to learn more about Christian counseling for teens in Little Elm, Texas.

Sources:

Behnke, S. H. (2002, March). Confidentiality in the treatment of adolescents. Monitor on Psychology. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://www.apa.org/monitor/mar02/confidentiality

Encouraging teenagers – American Counseling Association. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/encouraging-teenagers.pdf

Kathryn Rudlin, L. C. S. W. (2021, October 9). How therapy can help your teen. Verywell Mind. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/choosing-a-therapist-to-help-your-troubled-teen-2610351

Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Please contact our reception team at
(469) 333-6163

Schedule an Appointment