Individual teen counseling has proven to be effective. When a teen meets in teen counseling, the teen therapist is able to help the teen in many ways. As parents, we can help our teens in many areas of their lives. But, when it comes to teen anxiety, teen trauma, teen depression, teen ADHD and others, we may need outside help.
Family counseling or, family therapy, has been around for some time. There are many effective approaches to family counseling in helping families reach their goals. Families seek family counseling for a number of reasons. The one thing those reasons have in common is the teen's behavior and how it impacts the family.
Many people could say, "Well, if the problems centered in the teen's behavior, shouldn't the teen just see a counselor and not the family? Why would the family need to take time and take part in family therapy if it's the teen's issue?" This line of reasoning makes sense on the surface. Yet, there is much more to long term success for the teen other than them participating in individual teen counseling.
Let me give you 3 reasons why families should take part in family therapy with their struggling teen.
1. Improving Lines of Communication to Further Enhance Family Support
When a teen enters teen therapy we meet with the teen and their parents together in the first session. This is where we are able to discuss what brings the teen into teen counseling. We may start meeting with the teen for teen therapy but at some point, we involve the family.
The aim in meeting with the teen first in teen counseling is to help provide stabilization and assess many areas in their lives. One of the most important areas we assess with the teen is lines of communication.
Too many times has the teen and the family been hurt by trusting the teen when communicating with them. The teen may push you away by saying hurtful things in the moment that they don't mean - but it still hurts. Parents, out of frustration, may also say some hurtful things to their teens that they don't mean - but it still hurts. Due to the lack of trust, communication has been eroded and the problem continues to escalate out of control.
In meeting with families in family counseling, communication is the one area that is addressed with each family. Healthy and open communication is the foundation of all good relationships. If communication can become healthy and strong again then we have a strong foundation on which to build.
2. Family Therapy is a Gateway for Critical Information
Teens who we see for teen counseling enter treatment one of two ways:
1. They have asked their parents if they could see a therapist for teen therapy, or
2. Their parents are making them attend teen counseling.
With the first way, teens tend to be forthright and engaged in therapy. With the second way, we tend to start with reducing resistance to therapy. In either case, we will ask the teen how they have been doing since the last teen therapy session.
Teens in scenario number one may see their progress differently than parents do but many times not too differently. Teens in scenario number two hewer is a different case. These teens have entered teen counseling or family therapy 'against their will' and may not report quite accurately how their week actually went.
In family counseling and when we have the parent(s) and teen together, we are able to get a clearer picture on how the week was for the teen and the family. The more and better the information we have as teen therapists and family counselors, the better we are able to help.
3. Each Family Member has a Role to Play in the Teen's Success
Poet John Donne once said, "No man is an island". There is no truer statement than this when it comes to the teen's struggle. The teen who enters teen counseling has been battling some life struggles for some time. The teen lives with other people who are connected to and interact with the teen.
Each family member's interactions have an influence on the teen's behavior. Sometimes those interactions are positive and can help the teen improve. Sometimes though, the interactions can be less than positive and can contribute to the teen's struggles.
No one in the family sets out to add to the teen's distress. All we want to do is help the teen to get to a place of stability, strength, and happiness. We want this for the teen and also equally as much for the family. Yet, we may engage in communication or behavior towards the teen quite unaware of how our communication or behavior may not help the teen.
It is important for each family member to understand the teen. This can only happen through open communication on the teen's part in family counseling. And, the teen needs to understand each family member fully. Again, this can only be done through open communication.
When a each family member can identify how they have been a part of the problem, the can see clearly how they can now be part of the solution. Each family member identifying what their role may have been in sustaining the problem lifts a ton of weight form the teen's shoulders. The teen to this point has been seen as the problem. Now that the family members share in the sustaining of that problem, defensiveness in the teen drops. With defensiveness dropping, more effective teen therapy and family counseling can take place.
It is not easy to know how to help a teen when they are struggling. Things like teen trauma, teen anxiety, teen depression, teen ADHD and others are complex. It is complex for the teen who may not have the words to communicate their struggle. It is also complex for family members who may not understand the teen's inner experience of those struggles.
Through developing strong and healthy family communication comes open and honest communication. With open and honest communication comes personal recognition of how each family member can play a role in the teen's success. This all lays a foundation and creates an environment where the teen can be successful in maintaining the changes they make in teen counseling and family therapy.
Families can become stronger through the process of family therapy. There is so much families can learn about the teen and there is much the teen can learn about their family. We all have areas in our lives that we could strengthen. Family therapy helps bring out those areas so that they can be strengthened. Often, the end result of helping a teen and family through the complex emotional or behavioral struggles are much stronger family bonds.
Katy Teen & Family Counseling Helping Families in Katy & Houston Texas
Your teen and family do not need to continue to struggle. The family does play a vital role in the teen's long term success. The teen years is the time to intervene with your teen and help them correct their course before adulthood. Teen therapy and family counseling can help your teen and family make that course correction. At Katy Teen & Family Counseling, there are caring teen counseling and family therapy specialists who have helped other teens and families just like yours. Katy Teen & Family Counseling serves the Katy, Houston, and surrounding areas. We are conveniently located just off of I-10 and 99. To start your teen therapy and family counseling journey, you can follow these simple steps: 1. Contact Katy Teen & Family Counseling 2. Speak with a therapist who specializes in teen therapy and family counseling 3. Start the investment into your teen's future. Help them overcome teen anxiety and realize their full potential!
Other Teen Therapy Services Provided by Katy Teen & Family Counseling: Serving Katy and Houston
At Katy Teen & Family Counseling, we provide other therapeutic and counseling services in addition to teen counseling and family therapy. Below are some of those counseling services in addition to other therapeutic approaches in treating a variety or struggles :
Teen Therapy for Self-harm
Teen Therapy for Self-esteem and Self-worth
Teen Substance Use Therapy
Teen Anger Management Treatment
How to Begin Teen Therapy or Family Counseling
To begin teen therapy or family counseling, simply contact Katy Teen & Family Counseling through our website or by calling 346-202-4662. Our Owner and Lead Clinician answers each phone call to help match you with the right therapist for you teen and family.
About the Author
Jason Drake is a Licensed Clinical Worker. He is a Specialist in Teen Therapy & Family Counseling. He has provided therapy to teens and families since 2003. Through his expertise, he helps teens who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD/ADD, and PTSD. He works with talented teen athletes who have experience mental blocks. Gifted students have unique challenges that Jason understands well. Jason uses CBT, EMDR, Neurofeedback, FFT, and Motivational Interviewing. We only work with teens and families which allows us to focus on what teens and families of today need. Resolving the struggles of today can assure a more successful tomorrow. Proudly serving Katy, Tx and Houston.
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