4 Reasons Teen Counseling is Important to Your Child's Development
The behavior of teenagers is always quite unusual. As a result, parents must sometimes step back to get a more clear perspective. However, just because teens feel like an alien species doesn’t mean you can afford to let them figure it out. But how is that possible when they just won’t listen?
Even if your teen is tuning you out, you can still offer support. Get help from another source. Teen counseling is a crucial option to consider. This setting gives your child a safe space to open up about their struggles and concerns. It could be a major component in their development.
Teens in the Digital Age
Long before smartphone culture ruled the day, teenagers had their hands full. While juggling so many physical and hormonal changes, they face realities like:
● Dating and sex
● Planning for college and the future
● Grown independent but still living under their parents’ roof
● Academic struggles
● Making and keeping friends
● Fitting in socially
● Bullying
● The temptation of risky behaviors
Thanks to the internet and social media, today's teens deal with all of this under 24/7 surveillance. Everything they say and do seems to be under a microscope.
When you add in more than a year of lockdowns and restrictions, your teen has plenty of good reasons to be stressed. Their minds feel like they’re on fire.
4 Reasons Teen Counseling is Important to Your Child's Development
1. A New Voice
As mentioned above, a parent is not always the one best positioned to reach a teenager in turmoil. Even the most benign question can cause an emotional outburst. Your best-intentioned efforts can feel invalidating to a young person. They just cannot accept that their parents understand what they’re going through.
Conversely, a skilled counselor is an ally and a confidant. They won’t feel judged — which is exactly what your teen is craving.
2. Making the Most of This Time Together
Your child’s teen years are such a unique time for them and for you as their parents. Sure, you could opt to detach and give them room to resolve their issues on their own. But, this approach ignores two important factors:
You don’t know if they’re capable of healing on their own
Getting them help now can really improve the parent-child relationship
Your teen is very close to the point when they become independent. This time is precious. By helping them thrive via counseling, you may find your connection deepen. Communication becomes more open and adult-like.
Plus, you can feel confident that you’re helping to equip your child with the skills they’ll need as they blossom into full-fledged adults.
3. Everyone Can Be Alerted If a Larger Problem Exists
Is my child just behaving like a typical teen or should I be concerned? What parent hasn’t wondered about this? Teen therapy is precisely how you’ll get the answers you need.
Your teen has a venue where they can openly share. Mostly, what happens in therapy will stay in therapy. But…if the counselor identifies a red flag, they will alert the parents so steps can be taken.
4. Your Teen Gets to Take Ownership of Their Emotions
In counseling, your child will experience the power of naming their emotions. Their life doesn’t have to be filtered through the lens of “family.” They are independent people who can own their feelings, wants, fears, dreams, and passions. In the meantime, you can watch them grow and develop — secure that they are in safe hands.
I’m here to talk with your teen about anything they wish to discuss. Let’s set up a free consultation and get this process rolling!
