Adolescence is a time of storm and stress, both for the teen and the parent.

 

More often than not, teenagers brought in for therapy to BHC of Texarkana are more captive clients than voluntary participants...at least initially.  Adolescence is difficult at best, and life-threatening at worst. If a parent feels that their teen is experiencing significant stress, depression, substance abuse, or other problem, they should seek professional help.

Parents sometimes say that they didn’t seek help for their teen “because he said he wouldn’t go to counseling.” In the same way that a parent would insure that their teen received necessary medical treatment, he or she should insure that their teen receives necessary mental health treatment. Psychological wounds and illnesses can be just as painful and even as life-threatening as the physical kind. Nowhere is this more true than with teenagers.

Teens can be quite difficult to connect with in therapy for many reasons, but without this connection real progress and change cannot occur. In all therapeutic relationships the comfort level between the client and therapist is important; this is even more so in adolescent therapy. If your teen does not initially “like” his or her therapist and does not feel comfortable with him or her, it would be wise to discuss this with the therapist to determine if a change is necessary. Obviously there will be times that a client becomes angry with a therapist and may even voice that he or she “doesn’t like” the therapist anymore. This is a different issue, often requiring the therapist and client to “push through” the teen’s resistance and anger rather than to allow the teen to withdraw. An astute therapist will know the difference and be able to pick up on their lack of connection with a client and recommend referral to another provider if appropriate. 

At BHC of Texarkana, our staff are experienced in dealing with issues specific to teenagers and their parents. Depending on the exact nature of the problem/diagnosis, and the personality and needs of the teen, psychotherapy formats may include: individual “talk” psychotherapy, equine facilitated psychotherapy, play therapy, and/or group therapy.

If you feel that your teenager is in trouble, please don’t wait to seek treatment. While not every teenager with behavioral or emotional problems will turn to substance abuse, risky behaviors, or suicide, some will. Call BHC of Texarkana or another mental health provider today to have him or her evaluated.

           Adolescent Therapy

Behavioral Health Center

Of Texarkana