When you’re the parent of a teenager, it can be challenging to watch your child experience depression, anxiety, or the daily life challenges that come with being a teen, whether that’s heartbreak, school issues, drug or alcohol problems, and more. Being a teen in this world is hard. There’s also the added pressure of social media and bullying. Being a teenager in the 21st century is complicated, and that’s why teen counseling can help. You might consider typing “how do I find teen counseling near me?” into a search engine to find help for your teen.
What is teen counseling?
Teen counseling is a place where teenagers can talk about things they’re dealing with, whether they’re emotional issues, academic ones, or something else. It can be hard to admit when a teen is having a problem with bullying, but counseling is a place where they can go to feel safe enough to talk about things that are bothering them. If your child has suicidal ideation, it is scary, and this is something they can speak with a teen counselor about and get help. A teen counselor is somebody who has worked with adolescent populations and understands that this time can be tumultuous. They know that mental health issues as a teenager can be overwhelming and they’re there to help your teen healthily navigate these issues.
What to expect in teen counseling
A teen counselor is going to talk to your teen about their life and the issues they’re dealing with so that they feel heard and understood. One of the problems that teens face is that they might feel misunderstood by adults or their peers, but counseling is a place where teenagers can be themselves and talk about what’s troubling them. They will talk about strategies to overcome severe problems such as bullying or problems they’re having with peer groups. Maybe, they’re having problems with substance abuse. A teen counselor will give them a safe place to talk about issues like substance use and will refer them to an outside facility if higher care is needed to treat drug and alcohol problems.
Mental health issues and teen counseling
Mental health issues can come up in teen counseling, and there is the issue of confidentiality. A counselor is supposed to dedicate confidentiality to your teen, and they will, but if there’s a safety issue, they’re mandated to report it, and they’ll inform any dangerous behavior to you, especially if they intend to harm themselves or others. Your teen needs to understand that it’s safe to talk to their counselor, but if there’s a safety issue, you’ll be told as the parent. It’s a delicate balance in therapy. A teen wants to feel safe when they’re in treatment. Counseling is a place where they should be able to share their innermost feelings. If they are afraid that the counselor is going to “tell on them” that could be detrimental to them opening up, that’s why you should talk to your teen about safety concerns. Tell them that therapy is an excellent place for them to express their emotions, but if there’s something that concerns a counselor about their safety, it needs to be reported. That’s something that should be stated up front in teen counseling.
Online counseling or counselors in your area
Maybe you’ll choose to find a teen counselor in your local area or perhaps you might consider working with a therapist online. Both of these options are viable to get mental health care for your child. Whether you want to work with a teen counselor in your area or online, counseling is an excellent place for your teen to feel understood and heard. Online counseling can be a unique forum for people to talk about their problems, and teenagers are included in this.
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