If you feel helplessly worn out and worried about your adolescent (12-19 years old) son or daughter, know that you're absolutely not alone. Life with teens can be full of adventure, self exploration, and hilarious conversations. Life with teens can also be filled with chaos, constant arguments, and huge mood swings. The transition from childhood to adulthood is already a pretty turbulent time; however, when we add the overwhelming pressures of school performance (e.g. college preparation), social media (e.g. Snap Chat bullying) and peer influence (e.g. smoking weed) it can feel out of control. Today's teens (Gen-Y or the Digital Native generation) are navigating a complex, stressful, and lonely world, including unparalleled levels of mental health concerns. 

9 Unique Challenges Teens Are Facing

• SOCIAL & COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS: Social anxiety; difficulty making or keeping friends; inability to express emotions, thoughts, or beliefs.

• PROBLEMS WITH SCHOOL: Truancy or skipping class; low grades due to missing assignments or limited studying (e.g. lack of effort); struggling to participate and be engaged.

• DEFIANCE: Arguments feel like battles; stealing; breaking house rules (e.g. ignoring curfew); blatant disrespect and anger.

• LOW SELF CONFIDENCE: Giving up before ever really trying; low self esteem and self worth; not standing up for one's self (e.g. having a 'voice').

• VIDEO GAME AND INTERNET ADDICTION: Compulsively spending hours glued to screens; difficulty transitioning back to reality (e.g. making friends in real life (IRL)); ignoring responsibilities and school work due to digital use.

• PROBLEMS WITH MOTIVATION, FOCUS, AND RESILIENCY: Constant procrastination and challenges getting started; disorganized and inattention; lack of follow through, giving up too easy, and avoiding hard work.

• SELF-SABOTAGING: Getting in their own way and being their own worst enemy; self criticism and doubt; self destructive behavior.

• POOR DECISION MAKING: Risky, impulsive and compulsive behavior (e.g. driving too fast or using parents' credit card); substance use including vaping, marijuana, drinking, or popping pills; junk food and over eating; promiscuous sexual activity.

• EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES: Mental health including anxiety, anger or depression; affects of ADHD; loneliness, bullying, and inability to express/process emotions.

GUIDING TEENS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OVER THEIR BEHAVIOR, EMOTIONS AND FUTURES. 

Adolescence doesn't have to be so frustrating, you can maintain an authentic connection with your teen. Through my unique blend of therapy, life coaching and career counseling, I guide young people through a process of self-discovery; encouraging teens to not only cast a vision for who they want to be, but equip them with the tools strategies and techniques to build their future and sustain change. With love, effective communication, and support you can get your teen back. 

Benefits of Counseling for Teens

• PEACE: Imagine a calm home filled with communication and connection instead of calamity and conflict; rest assured that you are holistically helping your child (mind, body and spirit).

• RESPONSIBILITY: An increase in proactive, intentional behavior (e.g. higher executive functioning skills); decreased blaming and victim mentality; reduced procrastination, avoidance, and escapism.

• COPING SKILLS: Manage mental health with more than medication by having a holistic life plan; increased ability to handle and express difficult emotions; feel better - happier, healthier, and more grounded.

• SATISFYING RELATIONSHIPS: Feeling understood; practice connecting with others; willingness to open up and be vulnerable.

• CONFIDENCE: Achieve more success (e.g. better grades or performance in sports) with a deeper belief in yourself; willing to be your own true, real, authentic self; have a voice, take a stand and be OK.

Life Coaching for Teens Provides

• COLLEGE AND CAREER PREPARATION: Major and career exploration; Life planning and decision making support; self discovery for college choice and scholarship applications.

• TIME MANAGEMENT AND ATTENTION MANAGEMENT: Organization and planning approaches; strategies to increase focus and concentration; techniques to avoid missing assignments, tardiness, and procrastination.

• GOAL SETTING: Develop a plan to get un-stuck; learn how to effectively set and achieve goals; accountability and support.

• LIFE SKILLS: Develop and practice independent living skills (e.g. budgeting, paying bills on time, job search, etc.); handle difficult situations such as conflict with teachers or co-workers; effectively manage digital use and media.

• HEALTHY HABITS: Unlock the power of routines, rituals, and rhythms; learn how to disrupt and replace sticky "bad habits" (e.g. staying up too late); increase will power and self-control.

Therapy for Teens Provides

• STRESS AND ANGER REDUCTION: Skills for reducing anxiety, agitation, and mood swings; tactics for managing panic attacks, explosive behavior, and moments of crisis; calming techniques such as prayer, mindfulness and deep breathing.

• COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Reduce social anxiety, fear of talking with peers, and awkwardness in public; gain strategies for starting, maintaining, and ending conversations.

• INCREASED SELF WORTH: Build up self confidence and self image; be willing to take more risks; have a voice and stand up for personal beliefs.

• MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS: Create a holistic life-plan to manage mental health with more than medication (e.g. ADHD lifestyle plan) ;expand the ability to express and process emotions and feelings; adjust a pessimistic, negative, stressful worldview (e.g. develop a more healthy, positive way of thinking).

• IMPULSE CONTROL: Develop ways to help your teen slow down and think before they speak or act; increase executive functioning skills and decrease instant gratification; self-regulation strategies for managing distractions; fortify against compulsive, unhealthy behaviors such as phone addiction, poor nutrition, or fighting with siblings.