1) Connect before you correct Grownups, I want you to be aware of this one, because it is so common to skip connecting and go straight to correcting, especially when you first see your teen after school. With how much information the school shares these days, you likely know if your teen was in school every period, if they...[ read more ]
You may remember feeling sad as a teen or as if nothing was going right in the world. You may remember dramatic mood swings, arguments with your parents, and the freedom of living life without the feeling of consequences. You may be looking at your teen now wondering what they have to be sad about. May you’re providing a...[ read more ]
Most therapists will offer you the opportunity to talk with them via phone before committing to the first session. I highly recommend you take them up on this offer. Therapy is about the connection you and your teen have with the therapist, and yes, you can tell over the phone if this is someone you like/want to work with. ...[ read more ]
You may have already read How to Choose a Great Therapist for My Teen, but you still have questions. Maybe you want to how to find a therapist who can meet your teen’s needs of struggling with depression. Maybe your teen was recently hospitalized and the hospital recommended a specific type of treatment such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and you don’t...[ read more ]
When your teen is starting therapy there are a lot of unknowns. You may have questions about the process, how long it will take, or what exactly they'll be doing in therapy. Those questions are answered in another blog post. Today, I'll be talking about the top 10 truths of teen therapy. Some of them you'll likely nod in recognition...[ read more ]
It’s common to feel confused about what to expect from teen therapy. While the internet has given us a lot of valuable information, it’s also created the opportunity for misinformation. You may have seen movies or shows where a therapist is featured and wondered, is this what teen therapy is actually like? Doing something new and different, even if you...[ read more ]
Most parents don’t wake up one day and decide their teen needs therapy. Therapy becomes an option in parents’ mind when their teen is dealing with something so overwhelming, the parent doesn’t know how to help. Oftentimes, things that worked previously to help your child feel better, things like talking with a parent, doing something distracting, or time, aren’t...[ read more ]
Saying “No” to a teen is tough, especially when you want to do so in a way that doesn't ruin your relationship. It’s almost like something’s stuck in their ears, or after they ask a question, they simply turn off listening. If your teen does this, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The reality is, though, teens need to hear...[ read more ]
Any new experience may set your heart aflutter and give you the cold sweats, therapy is no exception. It’s normal to have a stress response when doing something new or different. You will get through this, just like you’ve gotten through other new, different experiences in your life. Remember when you started a new school or a new grade? ...[ read more ]
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision. If you’re at all like I am, I have all these questions and then when I actually get someone on the phone, they flow right out of my mind. In order to prevent this from happening, it can be good to jot down some notes ahead of time, so you’re prepared, make sure...[ read more ]
