Parenting Advice

 

Parenting Adolescents

At A Place for Growth we use a variety of techniques and methods to help children and adolescents who are experiencing difficulties with emotion and behavior. Although there are different types of psychotherapy, we rely on emotional education as the basic tool for bringing about change in a person's outlook and behaviors. Psychotherapy with the adolescent may involve an individual, group or family session. With adolescents the therapists often employ playing, drawing, building, and pretending, as well as talking; these are important ways of sharing feelings and resolving problems.

 

Psychotherapy is often used in combination with other treatments (medication, behavior management, or work with the school). We value the relationship that develops between the therapist and the patient. The child or adolescent must feel comfortable, safe and understood. This type of trusting environment makes it much easier for the child to express his/her thoughts and feelings and to use the therapy in a useful way.

 

Psychotherapy helps adolescents in a variety of ways. They receive emotional support, resolve conflicts with people, understand feelings and problems, and try out new solutions to old problems. Goals for therapy may be specific (change in behavior, improved relations with friends), or more general (less anxiety, better self-esteem). The length of psychotherapy depends on the complexity and severity of problems.

 

Parents are welcome to ask questions:

 

• What are some of the results I can expect to see?

• How long will my adolescent be involved in therapy?

• How frequently will the therapist want to see my child?

• Will the therapist be meeting with just my child or the entire family?

• How will we (the parents) be informed about our child's progress and how can we help?