Teen Counseling
Being a teenager can be exciting and full of adventure but it can and often is a challenging time for both parents and teens. Issues such as: substance abuse, rebellion, parental conflict, pressures at school, performance pressures, peer issues, body image issues and eating disorders, bullying, sexuality issues, self-harm and cutting, isolation and loneliness, feeling different and not fitting in are all some of the experiences that you or your teenage loved one might be experiencing.
So how do you know when to bring your teen to counseling?
If your teenage son or daughter seems sullen, or continuously moody and unhappy. If there has been a change in their appetite or body. If they are acting out at school or at home. If they refuse to share anything with you and don't seem to have anyone else to talk to. If their grades are plummeting or they are struggling with a learning issue that is affecting their self-esteem. If your family has experienced a loss, or has gone thru a divorce. If they have had a recent heartbreak that they can't get over. If they have expressed suicidal thoughts or plans. If they are questioning their sexuality and feel confused. If they can't seem to manage their stress around school or test taking. If they can't concentrate and have been diagnosed with ADHD. If they are playing video games or watching tv all day long. If they are using drugs or alcohol. If they are skipping school and getting bad grades. If they are having somatic symptoms or struggling with an illness. If there is aggression at home or with others or violence in the home that they have witnessed. If you feel you can no longer reach them and are worried...
If they just need to talk to a trusted person outside of their family. Therapy can help.
I have worked in residential treatment with teenage boys, as well as a school based counselor in various LAUSD elementary, middle and high schools across the city. I have worked with teens,children and their families in private practice for 15 years. Please contact me if I can help.
So how do you know when to bring your teen to counseling?
If your teenage son or daughter seems sullen, or continuously moody and unhappy. If there has been a change in their appetite or body. If they are acting out at school or at home. If they refuse to share anything with you and don't seem to have anyone else to talk to. If their grades are plummeting or they are struggling with a learning issue that is affecting their self-esteem. If your family has experienced a loss, or has gone thru a divorce. If they have had a recent heartbreak that they can't get over. If they have expressed suicidal thoughts or plans. If they are questioning their sexuality and feel confused. If they can't seem to manage their stress around school or test taking. If they can't concentrate and have been diagnosed with ADHD. If they are playing video games or watching tv all day long. If they are using drugs or alcohol. If they are skipping school and getting bad grades. If they are having somatic symptoms or struggling with an illness. If there is aggression at home or with others or violence in the home that they have witnessed. If you feel you can no longer reach them and are worried...
If they just need to talk to a trusted person outside of their family. Therapy can help.
I have worked in residential treatment with teenage boys, as well as a school based counselor in various LAUSD elementary, middle and high schools across the city. I have worked with teens,children and their families in private practice for 15 years. Please contact me if I can help.