What do you remember about your experience as a teenager? Maybe wonderful memories appear in your mind and make you smile for a few moments. Perhaps the memories that invade you are colored by the pain of something you experienced. Whatever the case, you can probably connect with the complexity of this life stage. Many deep and intense changes.
It is not always easy to navigate this stage. Luckily, we can ask for professional help. In this article We will see when teenagers need to go to therapy and why. In addition, we will delve into the specific characteristics of psychological therapy for adolescents and mention the aspects that are important for people to know before starting.
Let us remember that adolescence is a stage in which one searches for one’s own identity while great and profound physical, emotional and psychological changes occur. All this is accompanied, in addition, by the establishment of new bonds and distancing from parents. It is a period of absolute transformation.
Although adolescence can be a challenging and complex life stage—both for the adolescents themselves and for the environment—therapy is not necessary in all cases. However, in some situations in which there is high discomfort and suffering, it is highly recommended to seek professional psychological help specialized in adolescence.
The main indicator that we must always keep in mind when making the decision is the degree of discomfort and suffering that exists in the person themselves and/or the environment. It is important to analyze in detail the context of each individual and each family before considering that what is being experienced is a problem solely of the adolescent.
Keeping in mind that each case is unique, below are some warning signs:
Specifics of therapy for adolescents
Given that adolescence is such a complex stage, the psychology personnel who care for and accompany this life cycle must be trained and specialized in order to be able to provide optimal care. This involves understanding what happens on a physical, cerebral, emotional and relational level in an adolescent and assessing what is within what is expected and what is not.
This being the basis, we will find that each professional has a specific way of working that will vary depending on the training and the theoretical framework from which the therapeutic process is approached. One of the main aspects for psychotherapy to bear fruit is that the adolescent feels comfortable and can establish a good therapeutic bond.
What are the objectives of therapy with adolescents?
Of course, the objectives to be established will vary depending on the needs of each individual and each family. However, it is important to understand that a therapeutic process will always aim to provide tools to cope with the problematic situation and improve the person’s overall well-being.
Below is a list of the most common problematic situations. However, this does not mean that it cannot be consulted for other reasons or concerns. In fact, More and more families are consulting to obtain information and accompany their adolescents in the best possible way, even if there are no difficulties.
The most frequent reasons for consultation are:
Benefits of going to therapy
Starting a therapeutic process usually brings great benefits. In general terms, it provides greater self-knowledge and personal growth. The specific benefits will be related to the specific problem of each individual.
Challenges of therapy with adolescents
As in any therapeutic process, confidentiality is a key aspect. This point is sometimes difficult to handle with parents and/or guardians. Another aspect to take into account is that the bond is essential for the evolution of the therapeutic process and, sometimes, resistance may appear on the part of adolescents.
What should a teenager know before going to therapy?
Before going to see a psychology professional, it is important that the adolescent knows what is happening. Lying to him or her or deceiving him/her will not help in the process or in establishing the bond. It is important that they know that they will not be judged and normalize assistance to a health professional when necessary.
Families, school and other environments in which the adolescent may be involved are key aspects in the development of the minor. In this sense, they will also have great importance in the therapeutic process.
