For GenZ | Teens
Maybe you are in high school or college and not sure what your next step should be. Adulting is HARD. Trust us, we know! It can be really scary to reach out for help. However, it takes a lot of courage to do so. It is so important to take care of your mental health. Whether you are going through a recent breakup, or trying to decide on a career, therapy will help your self-awareness, which can bring clarity to rock your next goal!
THERAPY FOR TEENS
Being a teenager is hard stuff. It’s a time in life of physical, emotional, hormonal, intellectual, and social changes. No wonder it’s stressful! Also, add to that the mounting pressures technology and social media place on teens. It’s clear why so many struggle with being emotionally and mentally healthy.
Common Reasons Teens Begin Counseling
Sadness, hopelessness: What happened to my happy kid? Have you noticed your teen breaking out into tears? Do insignificant matters seem huge? Are they telling you they don’t understand why they’re so unhappy?
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Irritability, anger, or hostility: Some of this is age appropriate behavior for a teenager. However, if these feelings start becoming more frequent, intense, or are unusual for your teen, it may be an indication there is a bigger problem.
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Withdrawal from friends or family: Does your teen spend more and more time in their room? Avoiding social situations? How often are they engaging with their peers or participating in family activities?
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Loss of interest in activities: Is your teen suddenly disinterested in playing in the band or signing up for soccer? Does he/she not want to do much of anything anymore?
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Changes in eating or sleeping habits: Is your teen suddenly not interested in eating? Or the very opposite — is he/she eating too much or going on food binges? Have you noticed your teen sleeping at odd hours or up all night?
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Poor school performance: Failing grades and difficultly concentrating can be a sign that something is not right. It can be hard to focus on schoolwork if your teen is feeling depressed or anxious.
Confidentiality and Your Teen in Therapy
In Hawaii, minors aged 14 and up are considered adults when it comes to accessing mental health treatment. What that means is that your teen can decide if they want their parent involved in their treatment or not.
Depending on your teen's wishes, the therapist may share very little information with parents about their teen's treatment. This law certainly has its pros and cons. But, be assured that if your teen is at risk of harming themselves or someone else, the therapist is mandated to inform the parent and/or take the appropriate action to keep your adolescent safe.
Your teen doesn't have to feel miserable during this stage in their lives. Counseling can help your teen feel more confident and free to be their authentic self.
What Parents Should Know
Of course, it's common for teens to experience anxiety, depression, social difficulties, and stress. Seeking counseling from the therapists at Mindwerks Clinic can be helpful. It is a safe, welcoming place for teens to talk through their struggles, and focuses on healthy coping techniques. Our counselors can offer tips for your teenager on technology use and social media. We focus on the positivity of change and empower youth to create a life they are proud of.
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For parents, we can help provide you with suggestions on how to communicate better with your teen and how to support them through difficult times. We believe in conscious parenting and supporting teens by structuring healthy habits and routines. All of this can help your teen feel better!
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Every teen and their family is unique and we tailor our treatment to each individual's specific symptoms and issues. So, if your teen is experiencing anxiety and/or depression, we may use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help them reframe their negative thoughts into more positive, realistic thoughts. When your teen is struggling with conflicts with peers, we can teach them assertiveness skills.
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For teens who have experienced trauma, we use TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). This is an evidence-based treatment designed to help children, adolescents, and parents overcome traumatic events.