Benefits of Therapy for Your Struggling Teenager
Therapy isn’t just for teenagers who have experienced a traumatic event. It can also be beneficial for those who struggle in school, have difficulty making friends, or cannot cope with onset anxiety and depression.
Therapy is a way to resolve a minor issue before it rapidly snowballs into a serious problem.
If you know your child needs help, but you’re unable to connect with them, you may want to consider professional teenager therapy in West Palm Beach.
If you think your child can benefit from speaking to a professional, contact a licensed specialist at the Banyan Group.
Does your teen really need therapy?
It may be difficult to identify minor problems that have the potential of becoming serious. Sometimes issues can be resolved on their own, while other times, it takes the assistance of a professional to pinpoint the underlying cause.
As a parent, how can you make the right decision?
Psychological and behavioral issues look different for everyone, but the following are key indications that your child can benefit from teenager therapy in West Palm Beach.
You may notice your child is:
- Sad all the time
- Unable to concentrate
- Constantly restless or anxious
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Changing their eating habits
- Changing their sleeping habits
- No longer doing activities they once enjoyed
- Experimenting with drugs and alcohol
If you spot these signs, your teenager may be going through changes that they are unable to deal with on their own. They can be experiencing confusion over their sexuality, feelings of worthlessness, or even suicidal thoughts.
As a result, the worst thing to do is to write off their sudden behavior as a “phase” that will be resolved as they get older.
Talk to your child and find out if s/he would be interested in therapy.
What if they don’t want therapy?
Although you don’t want to force your child into doing something they don’t want to do, children are not the best judge of what’s best for them. As the parent, you should create a dialogue to find out why they aren’t interested in therapy. Then, try to illustrate the importance of therapy in a different way, one they can better understand.
For example, you can explain to your child that a therapist is much like a general practitioner. People see a GP when they don’t feel well physically – therefore, there is no shame in seeing a therapist when you’re suffering mentally.
There is nothing wrong with that. As human beings, we all strive to feel better, whether it be physically or mentally.
What to Expect
If you have never been to therapy yourself, you may not know what to expect, therefore can’t educate your child about the process. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact our West Palm Beach counseling office. Our team will do its best to guide you through this difficult period.
In a therapy session, the patient should expect to:
- Talk about their feelings. Therapy provides an environment where your teenager can feel accepted, heard, and understood.
- Do activities to learn new coping methods, and how to apply these skills in the real world.
- Learn new techniques to manage their emotions, such as feelings of anxiety, stress, or despair.
If you would like to know more about our teenager therapy in West Palm Beach, please call (561) 967-2566.
Types of Therapy
It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different types of therapy available.
Depending on your teen’s condition, one may be more lucrative than the other, as each is designed to accomplish a different goal.
Common types of therapy that teens can benefit from include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
We offer many of these services at our West Palm Beach counseling office.
You can learn more about each type online or call so we can help determine which your child may benefit most from.
Contact the Banyan Group
Finding the right therapist is never easy, but we’re here to help.
We have psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and licensed counselors available at our five Palm Beach County locations. They are skilled in a variety of health conditions, like anxiety, depression, and stress.
They are available to help your child improve his/her mental health. Don’t hesitate to contact us today regarding our teenager therapy in West Palm Beach.