Adolescent Therapy

Adolescence (age twelve to eighteen-Y) is considered by the majority of mental health professionals as the most difficult period of adjustment in an individual’s life. This is a time when a child struggles to be an independent, self sufficient person casting off the security of childhood particularly their relationship with their parents for peer relationships. Many adolescents rebel or “act out” during this time causing conflict with authority figures most particularly parents or teachers. Other adolescents may be concerned with their physical appearance resulting in eating disorders, low self esteem, or depression. Still others may retreat into the clouded consciousness of drugs and alcohol abuse.

The therapist that treats these conditions must be able to engender trust, particularly difficult with this age group. Adolescents tend to be both moody and non verbal with strangers. A positive therapeutic relationship is accomplished by being empathetic, sincere, having expert knowledge of the developmental issues of this age range, and by ensuring confidentiality.