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It’s discouraging when teenagers and adolescents hear from the adults in their lives that “they’re too young to have problems.”
Because the reality is teenagers do experience hardships, and their feelings shouldn’t be invalidated based on their lack of experience in the world. Teen years are some of the most formative years. These years are marked by exploration, novelty seeking, goal-setting, risk-taking, and social interaction.
Unfortunately, sometimes, a teenager’s distress may be so severe that seeking professional assistance in Ogden is important. However, therapy is not only for serious mental health problems or life-altering situations.
Meeting with a therapist before minor problems become major can help prevent them from becoming serious. Also, therapy can be beneficial for teens to discuss a wide range of topics—like relationship problems and questions about sexuality.
Mental Health Concerns or Challenges Teens Face
Adolescent therapy in Ogden is focused specifically on the daily challenges teens face. For example:
- Low Self-Esteem
Teens deal with peer pressure, bullying, depression, and judgment.
Over time, these can lead to issues with low self-esteem. Teenagers with low self-esteem need to feel accepted, loved, and worthy of being listened to. So, being in therapy can help with that.
- Trauma
Some adolescents have been through traumatic experiences, and it’s often difficult to speak about it with close family or friends. There’s an underlying fear of judgment; sometimes, the trauma comes directly from family and friends.
Teens seek a therapist for their safety—to have someone listen without worrying about judgment and access an outside perspective.
- Stress
Teenagers are susceptible to stress.
Stress can be a major problem for teens, whether it’s the pressure of getting good grades or excelling in extracurricular activities around Ogden. The right therapy can teach teenagers how to deal with stress healthily to avoid burnout.
- Relationship Issues
Being a teen means dealing with bodily and behavioral changes and hormones, undoubtedly leading to relationships and intense feelings.
Relationships in your adolescent years might seem trivial when you look back at them; however, in the moment, they can often feel like life-or-death situations. The drama and adrenaline rush of falling in love for the first time can be overwhelming.
Young love is unpredictable—the ride is exhilarating and scary, with heart-lifting highs and stomach-dropping lows. Having a therapist to talk to is nice, especially if you don’t know exactly how you’re feeling.
When You Should Seek Teen Counseling
It can be difficult—especially for parents—to admit a teenager needs help.
Parents and close family or friends aren’t always able to mediate and solve issues. Some issues need professional intervention and counseling.
Teens should have professional counseling and therapy in Ogden to deal with behavior issues, emotional problems, and mental health problems. It’s always better to be proactive; there may be more harm to a teenager’s health by waiting too long before seeking help.
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How Do You Encourage Teens to Go to Therapy?
As a parent, start by speaking to your teen’s Ogden doctor.
A doctor can assess the situation and determine if therapy is the right choice. You may blame yourself for the misbehavior of your teenager. You may worry that you missed warning signs that were present months or years ago and that you should’ve sought help sooner.
When you think about seeking professional help, it’s common to feel a range of emotions. These can include regret and guilt. However, don’t let your emotions stop you from getting professional counseling for your teenager.
And if your teen is resistant or hesitant to therapy, encourage them. You don’t need to be demanding about it or come off as nagging; however, come from a place of love—let them know that this will truly benefit them because their life is precious and important.
Benefits of Counseling and Adolescent Therapy
There are many benefits to adolescent therapy.
- A Journey to Self Discovery
In Ogden therapy, teens can discover the best versions of themselves.
Through talking out their feelings, they’ll realize things they never knew—or maybe things they were trying to hide. Regardless, they’ll come out of therapy stronger and more confident in who they are.
- Coping Skills & Building Resilience
While teens are in therapy, their therapists will use several methods to build necessary life skills.
For example, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is used for older adolescents with Borderline Personality Disorder who are experiencing chronic suicidal thoughts or feelings and engage in self-harming behaviors.
DBT encourages people to take responsibility for their problems and examines how they cope with conflict and negative emotions. It is often a combination between group and individual sessions.
Furthermore, another method called Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) improves a teen’s anxiety, mood, and behavior by examining confused or distorted thinking patterns.
Therapists use CBT to teach how thoughts can cause moods and feelings, influencing their behavior. CBT helps a teen identify harmful thought patterns. In turn, the therapist helps the teen to replace these thoughts with others that produce more appropriate feelings and behavior.
- Stress Management
Ogden therapists are trained professionals who can provide a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to express their thoughts, emotions, and concerns.
Through regular therapy sessions, teens can gain a deeper understanding of the root causes of their stress and develop effective coping strategies. Therapists can teach mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and cognitive restructuring techniques to help individuals reframe their thoughts and manage stress more effectively.
Additionally, therapy offers a supportive environment where teens can explore and address underlying issues contributing to stress, such as past traumas or relationship difficulties.
Photo by Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash
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Final Thoughts
By working with their families and a therapist, teens in Ogden can develop personalized tools and strategies to navigate life’s challenges, manage their mental illness, build resilience, and ultimately lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.
