As parents, we all want our children to thrive and be happy in life. However, for some children, life’s up’s and downs can be more of a struggle. Adolescence brings many changes, not just physically but emotionally.
The main goal of adolescent psychotherapy is to help your child to gain the skills needed to cope effectively with life’s stressors, manage difficult feelings and to provide a therapeutic space which allows them the freedom to explore their feelings without fear of being judged so that they can understand what they feel and make sense of their experiences.
I use evidence-based models, expressive arts, mindfulness tools and psychoeducation to explore problems, and the young person’s relationship to their problems, without shaming or blaming in the process, and consequently help them manage stress and difficult feelings, whilst boosting self-esteem and confidence.
When working with adolescents it is important to be respectful of the pace at which they want to work. Time is spent carefully building a safe and trusting space before they are supported through painful or uncomfortable emotions. Adolescents often hold some false narratives or unhealthy beliefs which are harmful to their wellbeing and have a daily impact on how they relate to and behave towards those around them. Correcting these can improve emotional stability in all areas of their lives.
Often, the most difficult part of being a teenager is the feeling of “it’s just me” and thinking they are the only one feeling what they are feeling. By opening up conversations that help them to understand what they are feeling and why they are feeling it, they can feel supported through these transitions and gain the knowledge, tools and confidence to manage the many adversity of today’s adolescent experience.
When a young person feels heard in an empathic, non-judgemental way, by someone separate from the other relationships in their lives, it allows them the freedom to explore their feelings without fear of being judged.
I understand that as a parent you need the reassurance that the counsellor you choose has the right experience and personality to engage with and help your child. I appreciate that it is often difficult to bring your child to therapy. Sometimes parents feel they must have failed their child in some way or worry that they will be blamed or judged by a professional. You can be assured that I do not judge parents, in fact I believe it is a sign of a committed parent to bring your child to therapy.
It is essential that a safe and trusting relationship develops and exists between the therapist and the adolescent. Privacy is especially important in securing and maintaining that trust. One goal of therapy can be to promote a stronger, more positive relationship between adolescents and their parents. However, it is often necessary for them to first develop a “zone of privacy” whereby they feel free to discuss personal matters with greater freedom. This is particularly true for adolescents who are naturally developing a greater sense of independence and autonomy. This can be challenging to manage as a concerned and caring parent who naturally wants to be kept informed as fully as possible. As a therapist, I manage this by supporting the client to open up these conversations at home with you as we explore them within sessions and to feel capable of having these conversations at home. Please be assured that any safeguarding concerns would be shared and managed appropriately, but aside from this everything else remains confidential between the client and therapist.
Jenna Gleeson Therapy Services 