Therapy tailored to meet the needs of adolescents who struggle with stress, anxiety, fear, depression, substance misuse, emotional underachievement, inability to cope, finding purpose and feeling connected
One characteristic that sets me apart from other therapists who work with adolescents is my unique ability to understand the manner in which today’s youth feel that no one “gets them.” When adolescents are told, “I was your age once and I know what it is like” they feel disempowered and shut down. The fact is that adolescents today have a unique and broad set of challenges that adults of today never had to face. Teenagers in the 70s, 80s, and 90s never had to cope with cyber bullying because there was no Facebook or social media. Competition for universities and for jobs was much lower, and there had yet to be any significant school shootings. Being an adolescent today has far more challenges and is a very different experience than it was decades ago.
Teenage rebellion is considered to be a hallmark of growing up. Countless parents have heard the words, “Every teenager goes through this” or “It’s just a phase!” The good news is that there is no guaranteed model of behavior for teens, and there are effective techniques parents can utilize to calm the stormy waters of adolescence and bring peace and tranquility to the home. The rebellion that parents fear actually takes place on a continuum with well-behaved adolescents on one end and delinquent teens on the other. Most teens will fall somewhere in the middle. Within this continuum, parents will see different types of behavior depending on the unique temperament, personality, and developmental level of their child.
Adolescence often brings various emotional changes in the teenager along with effects on family interactions and relationships with parents or caretakers. Parents can sometimes resort to harsh methods of punishment and consequences. Such methods are not only ineffective, they may also reinforce problematic and unhealthy behaviors and create a stressful home and/or educational environment. When behavioral problems are left unaddressed or are treated using ineffective and unhealthy means, the adolescent can develop a negative self-image and a poor concept of adults and authority figures, causing lasting effects on the teenager’s social and family relationships.
Loving Each Child Uniquely
Successful parenting involves understanding that each child is unique and has specific needs. Even within the same family we see children who have very different personalities and temperaments which require different parenting strategies. The age, temperament, emotional maturity, and developmental level of children within the family may vary widely and are all important factors. Parents need to understand that each child is unique and adapt their problem solving strategies and parenting techniques according to the specific needs of the child.
Acting out or rebellious behavior in teens is typically exhibited to mask deeper feelings or issues including fear, pain, or loneliness. It is common for teens to demonstrate how they feel through misbehavior rather than articulating their thoughts and emotions in a mature and straightforward manner. Most teens to not understand the source of their actions. Instead of allowing parents to see them vulnerable or emotional regarding their fears, troubled teens choose isolation and acting out. Parents can be most helpful by allowing teens to fully express themselves, and to listen to them in a nonjudgmental fashion.
How Brainwave Therapy Can Help
Brainwave music can serve as a powerful and effective tool in providing the adolescent with numerous benefits, such as improved relaxation, increased attention and focus, and overall improved physical and emotional well-being. It is commonly overlooked that defiant teenagers suffer from emotional conditions, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, which can be triggered by experiencing consequences of behavioral problems and become precursors to acting out. Brainwave therapy can assist the adolescent in seeking the tranquility and balance needed to engage in positive decision-making, cope with academic or family-related stress, and to succeed in social relationships, which play a central role in this stage of development. Adolescents frequently lack effective verbal abilities to adequately communicate their feelings and inner struggles. Utilizing brainwave music can contribute to emotional well-being and provide a sense of peace and tranquility as they learn, grow, and navigate life’s challenges during this important period of development.
Adolescent issues I see in my private practice:
- Stress, fear, chronic worry, anxiety disorders
- Depression and chronic sadness
- Image concerns, body dysmorphia, preoccupation with appearance, eating disorders
- Social media anxiety and help with the unhealthier aspects of the internet, texting and online interactions
- Emotional underachievement
- Trouble with conflict resolution
- Bullying
- Worries about the future of the world and whether they should have children
- Feeling lost, confused, misunderstood and uncertain
- In need of coping skills
- Guidance to discern and build real relationships and a support network
- Concerns about having chosen the wrong education or career
- Worries about recovering from debt and earning enough money to support themselves
- Fear that they may never own a home or have a life similar to how they were raised
- Prolonging marriage and having children because of economic problems
- Economic uncertainty, job uncertainty
- Relationship problems with friends
- Intimacy, sexual concerns and dating
- Recovering from being over-indulged and given too much
- College and work adjustment, trouble with colleagues at work
- Break-ups, roommate conflicts, cyberbullying and mean peers
- Managing alcohol and drug consumption
- Managing ADD/ADHD
- Sexual trauma, abuse and sexual shame
- Self-harm and cutting
- Social skills deficits
- Surviving divorce and family conflicts
Are you ready for breakthrough in your life?
How to get in touch with me
The easiest way is to schedule your complimentary phone consultation with me through my online booking calendar, and I will call you at the designated time. No hassle, no phone tag, a time that is convenient to you and you speak directly with me.
Email: contact@drsusanspicer.com
Phone: 989-577-5950