Teen and Tween Therapy
During development children often struggle with mood swings, body image and social issues. I have shifted to working exclusively with younger children between 7-and 12. The exception is a teenager who wants to be in therapy, needs trauma-specific treatment and the parent/s are willing to be involved appropriate to therapist’s direction. I advocate early intervention for children who show symptoms of emotional dysregulation. Kids may show signs of anxiety at any age, but many children are more likely t0 begin experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression as they approach puberty. The sooner children learn simple strategies to self-regulate the more confident they can become to manage themselves.
Stages of Adolescence
- Physical Development
- Intellectual Development
- Emotional Development
- Social Development
Teenagers and children experience the same emotions as adults with less ability to cope. Because they haven’t learned healthy coping skills, one of the largest fears parents have is their children will be introduced to drugs or alcohol by peers. Most adults I have treated for alcoholism or drug addiction share their underlying reasons for using substances were mental health issues never addressed when they were children. With early intervention, your child can learn how to cope with stress, avoid peer pressure, and resolve relationships issues.
Common Mental Health Issues for Tweens and Teens
- Anxiety- General Anxiety
- Social Anxiety
- Test Anxiety
- Attachment
- Behavior Modification
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Body Image
- Social Media
- Video, Gaming, Internet
- Impulse Control
- Bullying
- Self-Esteem
- Performance Anxiety
- Peer Pressure
- ADD/ADHD
- Alcohol Abuse/ Drug Abuse
Depending on your child’s symptoms, I will refer you for an additional assessment by a child psychologist or psychiatrist. If the need for medication is determined, psychotherapy alongside medication is the desired combination for improvement. I also will refer you to other resources to find nutritionists/dieticians specializing in disordered eating which is a critical component of your child’s team of helping professionals.
Types of Therapy
I use a blend of therapies depending on your child’s needs. I provide psychoeducation, skill training using simplified systems for Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which provide the most effective results in decreasing negative symptoms and increasing positive behaviors.
Please be assured I will be regularly checking in with you for updates on your child’s symptoms and behaviors which is an integral part of their therapy.