Services Young Adults & Adolescents
Our Approach
Young Adults and Adolescents
Do you find that you sometimes feel angry or irritable and that you don’t know why? Maybe you react to a situation but it seems to make it worse more than better. Or perhaps you lack motivation to attend classes or go to work and are hard on yourself in the hope that it will motivate you, but you only feel more beat up and discouraged. Perhaps you react in ways that push others away and you end up feeling alone and mis- understood. Maybe you tried talking with peers or adults but felt like you received advice but not a lot of understanding that might help you make sense of your feelings and situation. This can feel complicated and confusing.
Finding a path forward
The foundation of this method is building safety and openness.
It is very important for a young person to have a safe place to be heard and to explore their inner world without feeling judged or lectured. Exploring their world in an open way without judgment allows for processing feelings and thoughts that in turn helps in developing a deeper understanding and awareness. In a safe environment change can take place, meaning inward change, for example, “I don’t have to be liked by everyone” or outward change where “I can be myself without having to be rebellious or confrontational.”
Note to Parents
This approach is based primarily on an attachment method that focuses on building safety and understanding important relationships. When appropriate and possible, parents are enlisted to help in understanding and supporting their child.
The nonjudgmental approach applies to adolescents and parents. After all, who wants to be judged?
Common challenges that teens need help with include: developing mature communication styles, learning to accept their increasing responsibilities, finding positive expressions for their emerging identities, beginning to navigate romantic relationships, and learning to accept who they are. The difficulty of growing through these challenges is increased when a teen also has mental health needs.
This approach helps adolescents address their immediate mental health needs and developmental challenges so they are prepared to flourish as adults.
Everyone who comes to therapy presents with different concerns and needs. This approach is tailored to bring a unique combination of therapeutic approaches and skills to each session.
Problems Addressed in Therapy
• Healing from traumatic experiences
• Family conflict
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Substance abuse
• Building a positive identity
• Self-esteem problems
• Peer group difficulties
• Self-harm
• Suicidal thoughts
• Delinquent behavior
• Problems at school
• Bullying
• Grief and loss
• Gender identity
• Coping with addiction in the family